Click to view attachment

Getting a good photo is a subject of another thread. But hopefully y'all can see what it is, and confirm that it's one of these.

The lever easily pulls so it is perpendicular to the body. But that doesn't pump anything. How far is it supposed to go?

Earlier I saw a page where he was selling tools, replacement sacs, etc. but I seem to have not bookmarked it! Can someone give me a pointer? I already have "Da Book", and I'd like a quick list of what I need, and which diagrams are applicable. I suppose I need the pliers and other tools to take it apart, and if I'm ordering stuff I'd like to buy the new sack or other parts at the same time, so if someone could tell me what kind/size...?

Wow, I'm overwhelmed. I just hope I do a better job that I did fixing the laptop computer.

--John

Another photo:
Click to view attachment
1.3 seconds at F/18, but with ISO-800. Background is a 18% gray card, exposed for the pen.

--John

Hi John and welcome to the world of Esterbrooks...

There are a number of places selling tools/parts. One I've purchased from and can recommend is Tryphon.

http://www.tryphon.it/catalogo.htm


It's quite likely that the only part you'll need is a new sac, but you may also need to purchase a J-Bar.

For the sac you'll need a #16 latex sac and the Esterbrooks use the short standard JBar.

Have fun!

Todd

John,

You do indeed have an Esterbrook J series pen.

For the sac, you need a #16. Cut it 1-15/16" long. You will need talc and shellac as your other supplies. You may want to consider getting a section pliers but it shouldn't be necessary for an Estie. Several places sell everything you need for pen repairs. I like Woodbin and Tryphon. Some other things that can be useful for pen repair include polsihing papers and compound, picks and pokers, needle nose pliers, bottle brushes and elbow grease.

If you plan on fixing a lot of pens, go for a sac assortment and get a few extra J-bars.

If your pen is not filling (one stroke of the lever should be enough) then you may have a plugged nib, broken J-bar or a bad sac. No matter what, you will want to clean the nib. Remove it by unscrewing it from the section and soak it water.

Hope this helps get you started,

Todd

Is the "better" silicone sacks (he has an assortment) OK, or should I use "latex for repairing vintage pens"?

Is the shellac just ordinary shellac that I use on wood? I have dewaxed orange in far larger quantities already.

What is the talc used for, and why not use the stuff from the grooming isle of the drug store, or the stuff you put on your hands from the sporting good store?

Thanks for the link to simcom!

If I don't need the special section pliers for the Estie, how do I do it (I can't wait!!)?

--John

John,
I'd recommend sticking with the latex sacs .. they match the softness, etc. of the original Esterbrook sacs and a new sac will last almost forever with proper care.
Ordinary shellac is fine, just make sure it hasn't thickened with time. You want it to be very runny - like water and free of sediment.
The talc keeps the sac from sticking to the interior walls of the pen/sac stabilizer. Pure talc is recommended because most of the drug store stuff contains additives that could attack the latex of the sac.

You can do without section pliers for a single repair ... try holding the pen body in one hand and gently twisting and pulling on the section with your other hand. You can use one of those rubber jar cap grippers to help you hold onto the section. Be gentle because you can easily break the pen body if you pull at an angle.

Go at it! And have fun!

Todd

Welcome to the fold.

I agree with Todd on all except the section pliers. I used to do mine by hand until I broke a beautiful Wearever. The $10 I spent on a pair of pliers has been money well spent. Besides, once you fix the first Esterbrook, more will follow.

OK, I have to admit that I've always used section pliers and EventHorizon is right ... once you've done one, you're more than likely to do more, and more, and more....

Todd

nice pen. an advice in photography. get a tripot, do not use flash unless a filling one but better none. and increase the time of exposure. first picture looks better but is a bit shaky... nice pen in any case.....