Pilot Cannot Repair All Of Its Vintage Pens

[daoud62]

As an aficionado of Japanese fountain pens, I am well familiar with the chorus of comparisons among the top three manufacturers. Of Pilot, it is often said that the company is the only one of the three that keeps the necessary parts on hand, or that has the ability to reproduce parts, to service or repair any of its vintage pens, no matter how old. For those of you familiar with the parallel world of mechanical watches, Patek Philippe is known for this ability in the horological universe, and actually makes that claim in writing; I am not aware of any such claim by Pilot.

 

This post, however, is not about written guarantees, but to report on the impossibility of repairing what was, at one time, the star offering of the Pilot fountain pen line-up. The year, as I recall, was 1959, and though Pilot had long been making fountain pens with inlaid gold nibs, they had never made one this large: the Super 500. The 14k nib is, to put it simply, a work of art: it extends a whopping 45 mm from the tip to the tail, all of which is inlaid into the section. The nib wraps around the section at the top to form a ring around the feed. The pen fills by means of a sac.

 

I had been looking for one of these pens for a long time, and found one finally up for auction. The photos were not very good, but I could tell that though the nib needed a good soaking in vinegar and probably ammonia, the imprint on the barrel was extremely clear, hard to believe for a pen that was more than 50 years old. Bidding was fierce, and I won it.

 

Once I received the pen from Japan, I filled it with ink. I was not disturbed in the least by the vertical "hairline" on the ring on the back of the nib. I thought that was intentional, and explained how the nib was inlaid into the section. I filled the pen with ink, and though the F nib writes beautifully, I got ink all over my fingers: the ink was leaking from the feed through this vertical hairline and, I came to find out, from the left side of the front of the nib.

 

I brought the pen with me to the DC Super Show and showed it to all of the nibmeisters who were there. All of them considered it carefully -- for which I sincerely thank them all -- but none were willing to tamper with it because they did not know how to remove the inlaid nib in order to start fixing it. I also showed it to some of the Japanese visitors and exhibitors, and all of them told me to give it to Pilot because they were the only ones who would be able to fix it.

 

I had met the US representative for Pilot ast year, and decided to write him a note. He told me immediately to send him the pen, and if he could not get the repair people in Jacksonville to fix it, he would take it with him on his next trip to Tokyo. I was amazed by this offer of personal service, and am very grateful for his attention.

 

Three months or so after sending the pen, the sales representative just returned from Tokyo and, unfortunately, the news is grim: Pilot's repair people believe they must remove the nib to solder the hairline, and will probably need a new section to be re-inlaid, but they no longer have any sections for a pen this old. The end result is that the pen cannot be repaired.

 

Frankly, I could not have asked for better, more attentive customer service: several employees of the company, both here in the States and Tokyo, dealt with this problem quickly and professionally. However, the result is less satisfying: the conclusion is that Pilot cannot repair one of their greatest pens, one of their most expensive pens (at the time). This leads me to wonder how many other vintage Pilot pens -- some less exclusive than the Super 500 -- cannot be repaired by Pilot. I own dozens of old Pilot fountain pens, and love them. Does this mean that there are no parts for them at Pilot's workshops, either? This is a problem, and that is why I decided to write this post tonight.

 

Reluctantly, I have replaced the pen in its box. It saddens me that I have no recourse at this point: the nibmeisters are unable to fix it, and the manufacturer simply does not have spare parts available (and apparently is unwilling to make them, which honestly would be a lot to ask).

 

If any of you has an idea on how to resuscitate this pen, please let me know. Otherwise, let it be known that contrary to popular wisdom, Pilot cannot repair all of its vintage pens.

 

 

 

 

[Icywolfe]

That is one big nib.

[hari317]

Iconic pen, sorry to hear about the trouble with it, the crack is indeed very large.

 

However, this is the first time that I am reading about the claim that Pilot are able to repair any pen that they have made in their history, can you pls point me to a source of this popular wisdom, I seem to have so far missed reading it somehow.

 

All the best with the repair.

 

Regards

Hari

[shuuemura]

I'm sorry to hear about your pen. I wonder if Ron Zorn could remanufacture the required parts for you. Or have you tried contacting independent repair people in Japan? I'm not an expert, but Eizo Fujii of Eurobox was the first name that came to mind. Masamichi Sunami or Andreas Lambrou might also have sufficient industry contacts or clout to help you with the repair. Surely (hopefully) someone on this planet will be able to repair your pen for you.

[Icywolfe]

Maybe find another section from another pen. And savaging that.

[Algester]

Indeed it seems eurobox will probably be able to help you with this problem but even then I'm not sure about the parts availability from him either extractingthe nib is a very hard process...

[daoud62]

Indeed it seems eurobox will probably be able to help you with this problem but even then I'm not sure about the parts availability from him either extractingthe nib is a very hard process...

Eizo Fujii was one of the individuals I approached at the DC Show. He said that he would be unable to fix it, and suggested that I send it to Pilot.

[daoud62]

Iconic pen, sorry to hear about the trouble with it, the crack is indeed very large.

 

However, this is the first time that I am reading about the claim that Pilot are able to repair any pen that they have made in their history, can you pls point me to a source of this popular wisdom, I seem to have so far missed reading it somehow.

 

All the best with the repair.

 

Regards

Hari

Hi Hari,

 

If I can locate the source where I read it, I will let you know.

 

Best regards.

[Algester]

Must be really that hard huh... Im not sure how a replacement section would really sound either... Kubo? Of kubo workshop?

[stan]

I have never heard this claim by Pilot before. Never!

 

Pilot maintains a limited stock of spare parts for older post-war (Pilot Super era and more modern) pens. You are lucky that someone at Pilot took up your cause. This is unusual.

For me, a source in Japan was able to obtain parts from Pilot and repaired Pilot Super models.

I do not know if he can do the same for Pilot Super 500 models.

 

Eizo Fujii does minimal repair work. Frankly, he says he cannot repair a seal on an eyedropper.

He is in the sales business.

 

Obtaining a section will cost the same as an entire pen so, that's out of the question.

 

American pen repairers are lost when it comes to Japanese pens. You might try Mike Matsuyama. He seems to know more than most but, does not do repairs to sections and nibs.

 

Manufacturing the parts would be cost prohibitive.

 

What I would do...Assumes current lost cause.

1. Think about how the nib was installed and reverse engineer the process.

2. To me, it looks as if some type of slip fit and held in place with adhesive.

The adhesive is used to prevent ink flow as well as hold on the nib.

It seems similar to the Pilot Custom - why should they re-engineer the wheel.

3. See if you can carefully take it off. Hairdryer. Jewelry and dental tools. Dental floss.

4. Do not use harsh chemicals as they might damage the plastic.

5. Go incredibly slowly so that the nib is not bent. That can be fixed but, why add more complexity.

6. When hot (not hot enough to melt the plastic) try prying the sides of the crack open with an Exacto knife.

7. Keep trying until you can get and edge and slide dental floss beneath the metal.

8. Keep heating and working the floss.

9. The most difficult part is the narrow section that runs up the nib. If possible, I would work on this section last.

10. Keep trying.

 

Alternate method...similar. It might make the task easier. It might be the way to go should the above not work.

1. The plastics used in 1950s Japan were softer than that used today.

2. Most adhesives have solvents.

3. Get a banged up Super from the era ($40 or so from Yahoo Japan) and experiment with solvents like lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, brake fluid, etc.

4. Try what ever does not damage the pen.

 

 

Should you be fortunate to obtain a model with gold cap, be careful as the metal is thin and dings easily. There is a cap liner that it difficult, maybe impossible, to remove to affect the repairs. I suspect heating the cap and pulling the liner might do the trick. Have not yet gambled.

 

I have several Pilot Super 500.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/267424-grail-time/

[miko]

Could this not be repaired either by sealing with Captain Tolley's or solvent welded with MEK, acetone or the like?

 

[stan]

Could this not be repaired either by sealing with Captain Tolley's or solvent welded with MEK, acetone or the like?

 

Globbing goop onto the seams does not fix the problem.

If you are not aware, this is a rare, expensive pen and one cannot fix this type of a problem with ugly half-baked quickie fixes.

Some problems, yes. This one, no.

For the pen to be properly usable, the nib needs removal and repair.

[KBeezie]

Sounds like it needs to be sent off to a restoration expert that is capable of also repairing even crunched/cracked-thru nibs. (Also agreeing with Stan, a pen as lovely as that doesn't deserve the insult of being duct-taped in a manner of speaking).

[stan]

Sounds like it needs to be sent off to a restoration expert that is capable of also repairing even crunched/cracked-thru nibs. (Also agreeing with Stan, a pen as lovely as that doesn't deserve the insult of being duct-taped in a manner of speaking).

The nib must be removed and repaired.

Most nib guys prefer the pen owners have the nibs removed by the owners before they work on the nib.

 

Ink may be migrating to and seeping out the fissure because the adhesive has hardened and failed, creating void behind the nib in which the ink can travel.

[daoud62]

I have never heard this claim by Pilot before. Never!

 

 

 

As I stated in my original post, I am not aware that Pilot has ever made the claim that they have the parts and expertise necessary to fix all of their pens. This is not about failing in a guarantee or in customer service. That being said, I have heard it said among pen collectors and aficionados, as well as two people in the industry in Tokyo, that Pilot is the only one of the big 3 Japanese manufacturers that has this ability; that was why I termed it "popular wisdom." Whether it is factual or exaggerated, I was in no position to determine...until now.

Edited November 9, 2014 by daoud62

[daoud62]

Iconic pen, sorry to hear about the trouble with it, the crack is indeed very large.

 

However, this is the first time that I am reading about the claim that Pilot are able to repair any pen that they have made in their history, can you pls point me to a source of this popular wisdom, I seem to have so far missed reading it somehow.

 

All the best with the repair.

 

Regards

Hari

 

Hari, This has been bothering me all day. As a lawyer, I like to rely on written sources for my assertions, but in this case, I simply cannot remember where I read that Pilot is the only one of the 3 big Japanese companies that has the parts and expertise necessary to repair any pen it has ever manufactured. What I do know is that (1) I read it someplace and (2) when I was in Japan, it was told to me by the repair person at Itoya in Ginza, as well as the Pilot employee who showed me around Pilot Pen Station. Of course, as I have stated in my post, this is not about a breached warranty or a guarantee gone awry; it is merely my reporting on what I had heard before. Obviously, the information is not correct. Let me be fair: Would I expect a manufacturer anywhere to be able to fix the microwave that my mother had for 24 years and which stopped working last month? Probably not. Am I bothered that the company cannot fix what is a very collectible vintage pen in amazingly good condition? Yes.

Edited November 9, 2014 by daoud62

[daoud62]

I have never heard this claim by Pilot before. Never!

 

Pilot maintains a limited stock of spare parts for older post-war (Pilot Super era and more modern) pens. You are lucky that someone at Pilot took up your cause. This is unusual.

For me, a source in Japan was able to obtain parts from Pilot and repaired Pilot Super models.

I do not know if he can do the same for Pilot Super 500 models.

 

Eizo Fujii does minimal repair work. Frankly, he says he cannot repair a seal on an eyedropper.

He is in the sales business.

 

Obtaining a section will cost the same as an entire pen so, that's out of the question.

 

American pen repairers are lost when it comes to Japanese pens. You might try Mike Matsuyama. He seems to know more than most but, does not do repairs to sections and nibs.

 

Manufacturing the parts would be cost prohibitive.

 

What I would do...Assumes current lost cause.

1. Think about how the nib was installed and reverse engineer the process.

2. To me, it looks as if some type of slip fit and held in place with adhesive.

The adhesive is used to prevent ink flow as well as hold on the nib.

It seems similar to the Pilot Custom - why should they re-engineer the wheel.

3. See if you can carefully take it off. Hairdryer. Jewelry and dental tools. Dental floss.

4. Do not use harsh chemicals as they might damage the plastic.

5. Go incredibly slowly so that the nib is not bent. That can be fixed but, why add more complexity.

6. When hot (not hot enough to melt the plastic) try prying the sides of the crack open with an Exacto knife.

7. Keep trying until you can get and edge and slide dental floss beneath the metal.

8. Keep heating and working the floss.

9. The most difficult part is the narrow section that runs up the nib. If possible, I would work on this section last.

10. Keep trying.

 

Alternate method...similar. It might make the task easier. It might be the way to go should the above not work.

1. The plastics used in 1950s Japan were softer than that used today.

2. Most adhesives have solvents.

3. Get a banged up Super from the era ($40 or so from Yahoo Japan) and experiment with solvents like lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, brake fluid, etc.

4. Try what ever does not damage the pen.

 

 

Should you be fortunate to obtain a model with gold cap, be careful as the metal is thin and dings easily. There is a cap liner that it difficult, maybe impossible, to remove to affect the repairs. I suspect heating the cap and pulling the liner might do the trick. Have not yet gambled.

 

I have several Pilot Super 500.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/267424-grail-time/

 

Stan, Thanks so much for your thoughts. Mine does have the gold filled cap. It is in wonderful condition, too. The imprint is crisp and clear: PILOT Super 500 DC 13. Any idea what the DC 13 might mean?

 

If I were to tinker with it in the way you laid out, I would no doubt break it. Unfortunately, I am too uncoordinated to drive a nail straight into a wall.

 

Being a man of deep and abiding faith, I have replaced the pen in its box, but remain hopeful that a solution will present itself one day in the form of a person who magically surfaces with the parts needed, or who is willing to take a chance to proceed in the manner you suggest. With a pen this beautiful, I am bothered to no end that I cannot use it (without getting ink all over my fingers), and my post was motivated by that frustration, especially when, conceptually, the problem is very simple: take out the nib, solder the hairline closed, replace the nib and make sure that ink is not escaping from anywhere else.

[Keyless Works]

Sorry to hear about all the trouble with this beautiful pen daoud62. I too have run into issues with this pen.

 

A couple of months ago I acquired my Pilot Super 500. The filling system need to be repaired and I was surprised that three well known nibmeisters/pen restorers turned me down as they were unfamiliar with the system.

 

John Mottishaw agreed to give it a go and successfully got it in working order. After running it through a sac of ink I broke it upon cleaning...the tension bar became disconnected from the quarter turn notch knob...back to John and supposedly upon receipt the pen filled properly but he was able to get it to fail on him so he had another go and beefed up the internals a bit...haven't tried the pen yet....but thinking about filling it up soon.

 

If the pen fails on me again I will repair it and put it up for sale...if I can't use the pen I don't want it.

[daoud62]

Sorry to hear about all the trouble with this beautiful pen daoud62. I too have run into issues with this pen.

 

A couple of months ago I acquired my Pilot Super 500. The filling system need to be repaired and I was surprised that three well known nibmeisters/pen restorers turned me down as they were unfamiliar with the system.

 

John Mottishaw agreed to give it a go and successfully got it in working order. After running it through a sac of ink I broke it upon cleaning...the tension bar became disconnected from the quarter turn notch knob...back to John and supposedly upon receipt the pen filled properly but he was able to get it to fail on him so he had another go and beefed up the internals a bit...haven't tried the pen yet....but thinking about filling it up soon.

 

If the pen fails on me again I will repair it and put it up for sale...if I can't use the pen I don't want it.

Thanks for your commiseration and sympathy! I am sorry to hear about your problems with the pen. I have the same philosophy: If I can't use the pen, I don't have any use for it.

 

Does your have the sac that comes in a metal tube with a little push button at the bottom? Mine fills flawlessly, and it seems to hold a lot of ink...too bad the ink leaks out onto my finger from the nib. What I have noticed, though, is that on filling it today and writing with it, I noticed that my fingers were getting inked from the left side of the nib unit and hardly at all from the hairline in the back.

[Keyless Works]

Yes it comes in a gold colored metal tube with a black plastic cube shaped knob that moves 90 degrees down to the side which compresses the tension bar.

 

It is a lovely pen and the nib, although a bit finer than I normally like, is quite enjoyable as it is smooth and somewhat flexible. If I ever come across one of the 300 reproductions from 1995 I will buy one and put it into an everyday type rotation.