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Easterbrook Cap Jewel Repair

spacecoastpenny

By spacecoastpenny
in Esterbrook

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spacecoastpenny Rare

spacecoastpenny

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I recently had gone through all my Easterbrooks to decide on which to keep and ended up cleaning and repairing all of them. About a third of my pens had missing or chipped jewels. I was quick to learn that there not any replacement jewels out there.

 

So I decided to see if I could reproduce some. I started by removing the jewel from a good cap to mold.

 

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/DSC09844_zpsky72wqny.jpg

 

Once cap was selected I had to remove the inner cap to expose jewel. I used a tap (5/16-36) I bought to make a Parker Vac filler remover. I checked in a vise a screw on the cap and pulled it off.

 

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/DSC09853_zpstmwuqvfc.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/DSC09860_zpsbsc7egal.jpg

 

I then just took a punch and knocked out the jewel, I sawed the cap in half to get a better look.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/DSC09870_zpsxakqhf6d.jpg

 

I started by glueing the jewel with Arlenes Tacky glue to a plastic ring box. I did these to hold it in place and to keep casting material from seeping in.

 

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/DSC00039_zpszqvl8t8y.jpg

I had just the top so I made a mold just for top peace only.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/DSC00037_zpswtnnz2ur.jpg

I mixed up silicon mold material I bought from Hobby Lobby per instructions.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/IMG_1002_zpsgpvzpda9.jpg

 

 

Poured the material over my jewel from the corner so it would flow under the jewel.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/IMG_0999_zpsxqonafbp.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/IMG_0998_zpszlfoew0v.jpg

 

It took about 3 hours to dry, then I removed the parts

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/IMG_1004_zpsja1q5raq.jpg[/url]

 

 

I put the mold back in the plastic box to hold it tight and I mixed a casting resin and added color and starting making parts.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/IMG_1007_zps8ljmhmzk.jpg[/url]

 

 

I let parts dry overnight. I had a problem getting them out, I had to rip mold to get out.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/IMG_0997_zpssfgnyv2p.jpg

So I used wax on the next batch for mold release

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/IMG_1005_zpscvul46iq.jpg

 

Parts out of mold, right one is new part.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/IMG_0993_zpsjlb1semq.jpg[/url]

Parts straight out of mold

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/IMG_0986_zpseqnxf3rv.jpg

 

Sorry for bad photo. This is the complete part. I am going to continue and play with these process. The flat top only I think I can make easily and would be the best bet, just chip away your old jewel glue the new one in place.

 

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95/radiosailor/Esterbrooks/esterbrook%20jewel/IMG_1133_zpsohh2wyn2.jpg

 

When I get back to the project I will update any info. I think there is some potential here. Just making a few parts is expensive. I plan to make a few once I get things right.

 

 

Edited by spacecoastpenny
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Ron Z Museum Piece

Ron Z

Posted
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FYI - Alumalite products have a shrinkage rate of about 1% i.e if the original item that is 0.200" in diameter, the cast part will be about 0.002" smaller. That often does not make any difference, but if it's supposed to be a snug slip fit you may find that it is a little on the loose side, so you'll need shellac to build it up and secure it.

 

The Quick Set as you found out, isn't ideal for an item like this. There are other mold making compounds that will still give you a good finish, but are supposed to be more elastic so will stretch to release the part where the QS does not. I don't remember at the moment what they are...

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spacecoastpenny Rare

spacecoastpenny

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Thanks of the heads up. I would like to find a better product, I used what was locally available. I was thinking the next go around I would put a thin coat of nail polish on the part to make a it bit bigger. I am trying to stay away from polishing.

 

Any info on better materials would appreciated.

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Ron Z Museum Piece

Ron Z

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I think that shellac would be better than nail polish. Not that this material will be effected by the solvents in nail polish, but it's a bit tougher, more pliable even when dried, and softens with heat.

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Please use email, not a PM for repair and pen purchase inquiries.

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spacecoastpenny Rare

spacecoastpenny

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Thanks Ron!

 

I looked at tother products to use. However the price is to point I will continue to use what I have. I might invest in another product later.

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Tom Heath Vintage

Tom Heath

Posted
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Thank you for sharing your work

 

As with a lot of invention , trial and error should lead to a happy ending on this project.

 

Please keep us informed as to your progress

penfancier1915@hotmail.com

 

Tom Heath

 

Peace be with you . Hug your loved ones today

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spacecoastpenny Rare

spacecoastpenny

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Chouffleur,

 

I have a friend that has 3D printer. I have not asked yet if he can cut a piece that small.

 

thanks for the suggestion.

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trdsf Extremely Rare

trdsf

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A 3D printer should make a usable piece, but I haven't seen one yet that doesn't have visible lines between each layer of plastic it puts down. If you make it very slightly oversized and then polish it down, it should work, but it might still have visible lines between each layer of plastic. And I'm not sure how durable the plastic is.

 

Alternately, if you can get some fill material, you might turn the lines from a vice into a virtue -- custom pinstriped jewels might be interesting!

"Well, believe me, I calculated the odds of this succeeding versus the odds I was doing something incredibly stupid... and I went ahead anyway."

--Crow T. Robot, Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

My Flickr, if you're interested

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Chouffleur Extremely Rare

Chouffleur

Posted
Posted

Chouffleur,

 

I have a friend that has 3D printer. I have not asked yet if he can cut a piece that small.

 

thanks for the suggestion.

This thread might interest you as well: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/291837-dads-esterbrook-repaired/?p=3377743

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/profile/123018-chouffleur/?tab=field_core_pfield_37

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

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Was there ever any followup to this project because I'm really impressed.

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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spacecoastpenny Rare

spacecoastpenny

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amberleadavis, I have not followed up other than I have made about a dozen jewels..

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

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That's wonderful to hear!

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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FarmBoy Museum Piece

FarmBoy

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G has repro jewels that are quite nice on his etsy store.

San Francisco International Pen Show - The next “Funnest Pen Show” is on schedule for August 23-24-25, 2024.  Watch the show website for registration details. 
 

My PM box is usually full. Just email me: my last name at the google mail address.

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gweimer1 Antique

gweimer1

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G has repro jewels that are quite nice on his etsy store.

 

And I had help from the West Coast contingent. I don't list them on my Etsy page yet, but I do have them up on Ebay. The cap jewels I had made are made from acetal and are far more forgiving than the originals. I still have about 40 or so left of my first run of 500.

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

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I saw them after I posted, you did a great job!

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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