Thanks to somebody in this forum, I know the Esterbrook jewels screw into the cap and barrel. That knowledge went a long way towards solving my problme with the loose clip on my latest J. Two twists with fingertip pressure and it's good as new. Now I'm wondering if anybody has found a reliable source for parts when working on their Esterbrooks? I've got a cracked jewel I'd like to replace and am wondering if I should just be gathering junkers to warehouse or if there's another avenue to go with restoration?

Jewels do not all thread. Some are pressure fit.

There is no secret source for jewels. I have toyed with the idea of figuring out a way to mold my own, but I have not gotten very far with it. I was able to make some molds with some polymer material, but never got to the stage where I was molding the actual jewels. Maybe I need to get back on that project!

Sorry to say there is no secret source of parts for Esterbrooks. There are some large parts stashes out there if you know where to look and if you are patient, any part can be found at the right price.

As said above, not all jewels screw in. In general, the ribbed jewels screw in place and these technically only appear on the early transitional Js. There are button jewels that are threaded but these seem to the be exception. On a few occasions, I've encountered a body jewel that is screwed in.

If you are going to salvage a jewel from a donor cap, remove the inner cap and drive the jewel out instead of trying to pry it out. Prying almost always breaks the jewel.

It would be difficult to justify tooling up to mass produce Esterbrook jewels although someone may do so. A few people that frequent the Esterbrook forum have been known to make replacements, usually in things other than black plastic. There are also a few people that offer up parts when needed.

Todd

I've got some I'm thinking of parting with... About three pens worth... Two could be made into pens the third was a parts pen from the beginning.

Are they J buttons, or the smaller ones?

Gerry

Hi Gerry. Sorry for taking so long to respond. I wasn't sure if the question was directed at me. I'm working right now on a double-jewel J. I've also just gotten hold of a version that is the same length as the J but much slimmer in diameter. Is that all an SJ is?

If its the same length as the J, then it's the LJ. If shorter than the J, it's the SJ (S=short, L=Long... LOL). Both are thinner than the J.

The cap jewel for the J is the largest of the series. All the others - SJ, LJ and the barrel jewel for the J are the same size.

Obviously, the cap jewel for the J is the hardest to find parts for, since there are a lot fewer donors hanging around.

If you're looking for a jewel (Button) for the LJ, SJ or barrel for the J, you should be able to easily find someone willing to sell or give you one. Not so for the J cap. (I would like a few myself...)

Hope that helps Kip.

Regards,

Gerry

I am working on it Gerry...

Kip, did you see the one I finished the other day? This jewel is hand-made from steel on a lathe and has been powder-coated gloss black.

These will be for sale (made to order) if anyone is interested in me making one. It is not original, but will look almost exactly the same and never crack off like a plastic one! PM me thru the FPN message service if you are interested.

Beautiful FFE... just beautiful.

BTW, your straightened 9778 is ready for mailing - will go out tomorrow, although I think PO service may not begin until Tuesday...

Regards,

Gerry

Awesome, thanks! Gerry, if you want to send the caps that need the jewels I can make sure they fit to the pen and if there is any marks from pressing in the jewel I can buff it out, or recoat it if it is needed. Figured I would mention it if you are mailing to me anyway. I am still making sure exactly what size shaft will be the best to use. These will not "give" like the plastic ones so if they are too thick on the shaft you could damage the cap putting it back togather. However, a drop of locktight will secure one that is a slip fit with no chance of damage to the cap.