So I let an interested coworker see one of my Bexley 2007 Owners Clubs (this is the one remniscent of bamboo). In an attempt to remove the twist-off cap, she pulled on it just as hard as she could, until she ripped one of the pieces of body clean off. Now I'm stuck with the nib, section, and a hollow piece of the body stuck inside the cap. The inner metal layer is exposed on the other half of the pen.

Basically what I need is recommendations for an adhesive to apply to the metal and stick back into the half of the pen stuck in the cap. Then, once the glue dries, I should be able to twist the section and nib out of the cap.

No glue works on hard rubber. I would suggest contacting Bexley and seeing what they can do for you.

Not quite true - close, but not quite.

You can't reliably repair hard rubber once it's oxidized. A fresh cut, maybe, but we don't know how long the epoxy will hold.

In this case he might be safer sending the pen to a repair person or Bexley to extract the parts and repair the pen. Bexley might make a new part for him.

My fountain pens are off limits for this reason- I've had people try to force pull screw tops off. Most people assume any pen top pulls right off- like a Bic. This is nothing but trouble. The only pen I used to allow lent was my Waterman Phileas since that top pulled right off. What I do is when someone needs something to write with and asks me, I offer a regular ballpoint or a mechanical pencil. I don't let others use my good fountain pens. If my Phileas pull top is around I will let that out too. It's a little harsh, I know, but I've had too many people try to yank on good tops. I suppose the other option is take off the top yourself and hand it out- but I've just had too many problems with lending pens out in the past.

I was afraid of this. I'll get in touch with Bexley and see if anything can be done. Thanks all for the help.

Epoxy will indeed adhere to ebonite.

However, I would not recommend the 5 minute or 30 minute stuff that you see at the hardware store.

You need the real stuff like West System or System Three, and you aren't going to buy this in small quantities for only one application.

Contact Howard, my 2 cents.

(by the way...that is one of my favorite pens of all time...what a shame!)

I realise this isn't appropriate as a repair for the unfortunate incident described but I have a small crack in the cap of an old BCHR pen. I wondered if a tiny dab of superglue would do the trick.

Any experiences or wisdoms?


Greg

Plain old suplerglue is always good, right up to the moment when it isn't. It seems to give no warning of failure.

Having access to some at work, if it's black, I'd use Permabond 'Black Magic'. It's s superglue that's toughened & will work on slightly flexible substrates. Unfortunately RonZ tells me it's extremely expensive if you buy it yourself.

Regards

Richard.

I'm not a fan of superglue for what you describe above.

The problem is that typical superglue is very thin and it cures very fast.

So if you aren't careful, you'l have superglue seep where you don't want it to, and then unless you are really fast, it will cure there.

You can buy thicker superglues, but I really think that epoxy is a good option for what you are describing.

Epoxy will cure slowly, it's thick so it won't run, and you can wipe it off of any areas that you didn't want it.

You will need to find a way to clamp the piece as the epoxy cures.

I will get in touch with Howard and see if there is anything he can do. I'll snap some pictures first to attach.

Its one of my favorite pens as well. Fortunately, I still have my mahogany with rhodium trim in perfect working order. Inked up as we speak with PR Avocado.