I got an Esterbrook from eBay that needs a sac yesterday. While I'm waiting for the pen I need to round up some tools and supplies. This will be my first pen repair, and I've been reading as much as I can find on how to replace sacs. I have a basic list of tools and supplied that I think will get me through the first repair. I'd appreciate it if those who do repairs would let me know whether I've left anything out or included anything I probably won't need.

section pliers to remove the section
a small knife to remove the sac remains from the section nipple
picks and forceps to remove bits of sac from the barrel
scissors to trim the sac
sac cement (or orange shellac) to glue the sac to the nipple
sac spreader to help put the sac over the end of the nipple
talc to help the sac slide into the barrel easily

Pendemonium.com and Trypon.it are the sources I'm looking at. The prices vary quite a bit between them, and some items out of stock at each one. If you can suggest other places to look I'd appreciate it.

Well, not an offical repairman but I like to tinker and can't leave well enough alone with my older pens. For parts/tools you might want to check with The Woodbin - http://www.simcom.on.ca/woodbin/. Fair prices and great service. As far as tools go your list is a little longer than what I have ever needed. Never had a need for section pliers or a sac spreader but then again I may have just been lucky so far.

Good luck and remember the two important objectives.
1 - Don't break more than you fix
2 - Have fun. If you can't have fun why bother.

I think all you'll really need for your first restoration of an Esterbrook are a sac (16 or 18, depending on the pen), scissors, orange shellac, and a blow drier to heat the threaded portion of the barrel before section removal.

Of course, all of the other stuff (with the exception of the sac spreader, which is pretty worthless unless you're fingers need a lot of help) is probably good have for future repairs. You probably won't go wrong by having any of it. FWIW, I prefer the bionic wrench to spark plug pliers (although others do not). You can probably get by without talc as well. If you can find a source, powdered soapstone is preferable to talc.

The only thing I don't see on your list is the best twenty bucks you could ever spend on pen repairs - Fountain Pens - The Complete Guide to Repair and Restoration (aka Da Book), by Frank Dubiel. It's a must read for all vintage pen folk. The new restoration book that came out a short time ago is a much more accurate reference, but Da Book is still priceless.

Hope this helps!


Cheers,
Tom

Thanks for saving me some money on tools. When I looked at the list I thought I might be getting carried away.

"Da Book" is on wish list for my birthday coming up soon.