The Fountain Pen Network > 149 nib removal?

turbodiesel

Feb 2 2008, 08:01 PM

How do you remove the nib? I assume it's possible as one can get a nib exchange.

ANM

Feb 2 2008, 10:49 PM

I am pretty sure the folks at MB will look dimly on you taking the nib out yourself. If you are going to exchange it, they will probably want you to send in the whole pen.

niksch

Feb 3 2008, 04:21 PM

QUOTE(turbodiesel @ Feb 2 2008, 01:01 PM) [snapback]500729[/snapback]

How do you remove the nib? I assume it's possible as one can get a nib exchange.

To answer your question, if you look closely at the base of the nib you will see two slots--one at the feed and one on the nib. There is a tool designed to go into these slots and be turned anti-clockwise to remove the nib and feed from the section. Once removed, one can use a knock-out block to knock the feed and nib out of the 'tube" assembly. One can then switch out their nib and reassemble the pen in reverse process.

It sounds simple, but one may need to use heat to loosen the sealant (that prevents leaks between the section and nib/feed assembly) in order to allow the assembly to unscrew, then one will also need to reseal the assembly to prevent future leaks.

All in all not a terribly difficult operation, but speaking as someone who has bejiggered up a couple of 146 nib/feed assemblies, make sure you have a plan and be patient.

If you plan to have MB switch nibs, ANM is correct; send them the whole pen.

Regards, Eric

Pen Nut

Feb 3 2008, 04:26 PM

My advice is DO NOT attempt nib removal on your 149 buddy. Sounds like a minefield of potential disasters to me.

ANM

Feb 3 2008, 04:41 PM

Do NOT try removing the nib and feed on a 149 because the sealant is actually a litte gasket that self destructs if you try to unscrew it without the proper tools, and without a new gasket, or some kind of sealant to replace it, it WILL leak when you put it back together. If you MUST remove the nib, it can be removed, by itself, from the feed by grasping it with a tissue or cloth and wiggling it back an forth until it comes out... but you can risk breaking the feed if you aren't careful.

I know an attorney who had a 149 that leaked and it was because he tried to take it apart to clean it and that is what happened.

niksch

Feb 3 2008, 05:03 PM

QUOTE(ANM @ Feb 3 2008, 09:41 AM) [snapback]501518[/snapback]

Do NOT try removing the nib and feed as mentioned above because the sealant is actually a litte gasket that self destructs as you unscrew it and without a new one, or some kind of sealant to replace it, it WILL leak when you put it back together. If you MUST remove the nib, it can be removed, by itself, from the feed by grasping it with a tissue or cloth and wiggling it back an forth until it comes out... but you can risk breaking the feed if you aren't careful.

Turbodiesel asked how to remove the nib. Many of us are aware of the potential pitfalls of doing so. If you wiggle the nib & feed as ANM suggested, you could definitely damage those parts. Especially the nib, and the newer 149s have a feed that is easily damaged should one attempt to wiggle the nib and feed out. That's why you use a knock-out block. As for the gasket--typically it's a pink rubberized material 'injected' between the assembly and section. Given the construction of 149s, it's not terribly difficult to replace the sealant to prevent leaks--particularly on the 170s versions in which the section and barrel are all one piece.

And as Pen Nut mentioned, and I will allow, if you do not have the correct tool-or reasonable facsimilie, and some experience, you stand a good chance of bejiggering up your pen. And if you decide later to send your pen to MB for service or repair, they will know and you will have violated the warranty. The cost could be hefty if they repair it at all. There are a number of experienced folks who could do this for you.

A second order effect of changing your nib could be a change in ink flow--either wetter or dry-er. Adjusting for ink flow is something that takes practice.

Regards, Eric

Michael R.

Feb 3 2008, 06:35 PM

QUOTE(turbodiesel @ Feb 2 2008, 12:01 PM) [snapback]500729[/snapback]

How do you remove the nib? I assume it's possible as one can get a nib exchange.

There are two basic differences in MB 149s from the late 60's - today.

One has a nib/feed assambly which just screws in and out from the section just like on most modern Pelikans. You can spot those models with the rim of the gripping section near the opening being glossy like the section itself (because the rim is the same piece of plastic as the section).

Later models have a different feed/nib/casing assambly; this is the one described in the other posts. You can spot those with the rim being matt belonging to the matt black casing the feed and nib is mounted in. You need to destroy its sealant and a special tool to remove complete unit. BUT you can try to remove feed and nib only without the rest of the assambly by pulling both out (no turning or twisting! but carefull wiggles will help).

You need to be careful not to destroy or bend the fins of the feed or damage the nib but it is possible.

Let me just add that this "operation" might take some practice and in case you never worked on a MB pen so far let some one with lots of experience handle this. There are lots of good repair persons out there who can help you with this :-)

Hope this helps

Michael

ANM

Feb 5 2008, 07:13 AM

QUOTE(niksch @ Feb 3 2008, 05:03 PM) [snapback]501545[/snapback]

QUOTE(ANM @ Feb 3 2008, 09:41 AM) [snapback]501518[/snapback]

Do NOT try removing the nib and feed as mentioned above because the sealant is actually a litte gasket that self destructs as you unscrew it and without a new one, or some kind of sealant to replace it, it WILL leak when you put it back together. If you MUST remove the nib, it can be removed, by itself, from the feed by grasping it with a tissue or cloth and wiggling it back an forth until it comes out... but you can risk breaking the feed if you aren't careful.

Turbodiesel asked how to remove the nib. Many of us are aware of the potential pitfalls of doing so. If you wiggle the nib & feed as ANM suggested, you could definitely damage those parts. Especially the nib, and the newer 149s have a feed that is easily damaged should one attempt to wiggle the nib and feed out. That's why you use a knock-out block. As for the gasket--typically it's a pink rubberized material 'injected' between the assembly and section. Given the construction of 149s, it's not terribly difficult to replace the sealant to prevent leaks--particularly on the 170s versions in which the section and barrel are all one piece.

And as Pen Nut mentioned, and I will allow, if you do not have the correct tool-or reasonable facsimilie, and some experience, you stand a good chance of bejiggering up your pen. And if you decide later to send your pen to MB for service or repair, they will know and you will have violated the warranty. The cost could be hefty if they repair it at all. There are a number of experienced folks who could do this for you.

A second order effect of changing your nib could be a change in ink flow--either wetter or dry-er. Adjusting for ink flow is something that takes practice.

Regards, Eric

Sorry if there was a misunderstanding Eric. I did not mean to imply that the directions you gave were wrong. You are exactly right about how to best remove the nib from the pen. What I meant to say was that Turbodiesel should not attmept to do any thing to his pen without experience and proper tools and as you so well explained, it would void the warranty if he did try to take it out himself.

niksch

Feb 6 2008, 06:42 AM

QUOTE(ANM @ Feb 5 2008, 12:13 AM) [snapback]503749[/snapback]

I did not mean to imply that the directions you gave were wrong. You are exactly right about how to best remove the nib from the pen. What I meant to say was that Turbodiesel should not attmept to do any thing to his pen without experience and proper tools and as you so well explained, it would void the warranty if he did try to take it out himself.

ANM-
Discussion is good, and we both do not want turbodiesel to mess up his/her pen. I'm an engineer and tend to discuss these things from a mechanical perspective. As we have both mentioned and continue to discuss, this 'switch of nibs' may be a mechanically simple operation, but it requires a skill and expertise that many of us fountain pen users may not have. The disaster potential is high.

I look forward to your future comments.

Regards, Eric