O.K., so I want to start repairing pens myself. I have been on the Tryphon website, and I'm trying to figure out what tools/supplies I need. I want to be able to replace sacs in lever pens and also in Vacs, separate feeds and nibs from sections, and floss/smooth nibs. So far I've got shellac, talc, a knock out block, a vac tool, a nib flossing kit, a nib smoothing kit, and sacs (obviously) on my list. Are there any other things that I would need for these tasks? Also, is removing a speedline vac filler the same as removing a "regular" vac? I don't know how to do either, so help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Set of 4 double-ended dental picks. Get the cheapest you can find. I went to one of those cheap clearing-house type tool stores and got my set for around $5.

Long tweezers are good too.

I recommend a heat gun, specifically a hair dryer or craft-store embossing gun (you can melt pens with the embossing gun if not with both, so be careful, but it sure as h3ll beats an open flame). Section pliers are also helpful. I would say don't bother with a sac spreader unless experience leads you to want one.

For cleaning (which is usually part of a repair and sometimes the whole job, especially with c/c fillers or stylographs although I know they're not what you're looking at...) a cheap rubber bulb syringe like is sold for cleaning your ears is great for flushing pens. I find an ultrasonic cleaner very helpful, also. You can find ones for about $30 that will get you started, but try to avoid getting one with the controls in the lid. (See the "has anyone tried this ultrasonic cleaner?" thread in this forum for more on that.)

re: the bulb - I like to use a foot of latex tubing. It stretches over sections and feeds, and lets you suck water in and out... and by pinching one end, works like a bulb.

It's also helpful for gripping sections.