I recently got a old pen and pencil combination that has a small crack running down the threads. It is very small and has not spread apart. Will it continue to lengthen and eventually destroy the pen? If so, is there a way I can repair it? I like it but not enough to have it proffesionally restored. Or can I just keep the pen like it is and it will be okay?

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I use acetone and a very small, cheap paint brush. I first open the crack a bit by applying gentle and judicious pressure, then wick some acetone into the crack. Then i let it close up. Let it sit for at least a day before doing anything with it.


Depending on the plastic, there may be better solvents than acetone. However, acetone generally works, and isn't so difficult to work with.

Okay Great! I will give it a try.

You will want to get the joint really clean - there looks like a lot of dried ink and gunk in there.

I think a lot of the pro's have been using an MEK (Methyl ethyl ketone?) for fusing cracks, as acetone has some issues with stability and bubbling. I believe it also helps to give it a long time to set.

John