J-Bar Help Needed - Esterbrook Transitional J

[lahlahlaw]

Hi everyone,

 

I recently acquired a 3-ribbed jewel transitional J. It worked just fine until I let the lever go too far while filling, it went all the way 180 degrees. Now the lever comes out a centimeter or so, did I break the J-bar?

Edited September 19, 2013 by lahlahlaw

[OcalaFlGuy]

Is there still any tension on the lever if you open it? If yes, the bar is probably ok. It also may rattle if you broke the bar. Over opening it, you likely just caused it to shift position within the barrel. The Tranny pens didn't have any j-bar tray or spacer to help keep things aligned.

 

While there is a makeshift way to stop the lever from flopping, the correct way is to pull the section and get it all lined back up again.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[lahlahlaw]

Thanks Bruce, I guess taking it apart is my only option. A good time to put in a new sac as well!

[lahlahlaw]

Well the pen came apart nicely but revealed a somewhat rusty J-bar and a sac with a pinhole in it. A restoration is in order to get this puppy back on paper

 

 

[OcalaFlGuy]

You should be able to get sacs, shellac and talc all in the same order from Anderson Pens, Indy Pen Dance or Pendemonium.

 

00/000 Steel Wool the j-bar clean. DON'T leave any stray "wool" hairs.

 

It also could use a good polish job. Like this.

 

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[lahlahlaw]

Wow your's looks nice! What do you polish with? I used automotive headlight polish on another Esterbrook but I went easy not wanting to destroy it...

[OcalaFlGuy]

PM sent

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl