Just received an Esterbrook SJ & need some Sac advice ie sac size & how to remove the section safely

Thanks all advice would be appreciated

You will need a size 16 for all J, LJ, and SJ pens. To remove the section safely, I would recommend using a hair dryer or heat gun (on low setting) to gently warm up the section. Aim your heat at the junction of the section and the barrel threads, but be careful not to get the pen too close to the heat source, and do not use too much heat. An alternative would be to let it soak up to the barrel threads in water for several hours or overnight. Most Esterbrook sections can come out this way after any dried ink has been cleaned out.

It's not a difficult job, but does require some patience. If this is your first time it will be a satisfying project.

Good Luck!
Brian

Many thanks Brian .. I'll be giving it a try

I was going to reply, but it looks like you got the answers you need directly from the source.

Only thing I would add to the find advice from Brian, if the section doesn't pull right out, don't wiggle, twist and pull straight up. Be patient and if you wrap a fat rubber band around the section some times that helps you get a better grip.

Esterbrooks are tough pens, but even these sometimes crack where the threads are.

Thanks .. Is it best to remove the nib first ? (I'm thinking yes)

I would also try the cold soak first before heating anything

You want to leave the nib in the section while you remove it. Trust me on this one, the first time you crush one into little pieces you will know to never do that again! I would also get a set of "section pilers" aka spark plug wire removal tool found at any parts store. These really do make the job easy and grip the section perfectly.

Now as for removing the section, for the Esties, I use very warm water in my shop sink out of the flacuet. Hot, but still able to place my hand under it. I have a hot air gun, but I like this method better. I will hold it with the section pliers and run the water over the threads. After a few seconds I wiggle the section side to side. (turning it in the barrel, not side to side) Between the wet water that can get in between the section and body and the warming action, this seems to remove the section with very little effort. I personaly think the water spreads the heat out more than the air will.

Edit: Firefyter's answer is better than mine.

Ahhh... your just saying that because I fix all your Esties!! LOL

Many Thanks I'll check those pliers out

Oh, and if you have problems finding them in the UK, a standard set of pliers will work it the teeth are ground off and some hose is slipped over the jaws.

Haha, figure I might as well get it done right.

Hi all,
Along the same lines of changing out the bladders, I have four pens that need them replaced. What do I use and where would be a good place to buy them? I have seen both rubber and silicone bladders for these pens and am not sure which to purchase. Also, do they still get "glued" in with shellac?
Thanks from a newbie.
Curly

I have used sacs from the Pen Sac company out of California on two separate occasions. I have been pleased with the product (no connection but a satisfied customer). The price had dropped for my purchase this year compared to a previous purchase almost 10 years ago.

I didn't use shellac with the replacements 10 years ago and never had an internal leak. But both pens were juicy around the nib and the cap was always inky. Comments on this forum prompted me to use shellac to fix those pens and several acquisitions this year. My fingertips don't seem to attract near as much ink now as previously.

I'm curious about the silicone sacs but inasmuch as Esties don't have a clear barrel--the ability to see the ink in the sac hasn't been of interest to me.

I'll tell you how to NOT remove a section: vise-grips.

Unless you like to smashy-smash your section.