Lamy 2000 Stripped Piston Rod

[jcreilley]

Hello,

 

I've noticed that when I disassembled my 2000 for the first time to clean it, the top two rows of teeth on the piston rod had stripped off. When I put the pen back together, operation seems to be normal, although when the rod is retracted during filling, there's a 'rumbling' sensation, like the rod isn't quite meshing with it's guide very well. The piston still seems fine, draws ink fully and keeps it in there just as well as it did when I first got it. My big worry is the problem eventually getting worse. Anybody have any experience with this?

 

Thanks,

jcreilley

[readonly]

I can't say if it gets worse, but I can see that happening. Contrary to what people say on the internet, the modern 2000 piston unit (gray plastic) is not made to be disassembled.

[haruka337]

Did you reapply a light coating of silicone grease to the inner barrel of the pen after you cleaned it?

I don't know how often you've flushed out or fully cleaned out the pen, but, at some point, a reapplication of silicon grease is necessary to keep the piston gliding smoothly. If there is not enough, or the silicone grease has been stripped through continuous fills and cleanings, the piston will "rumble" from the friction.

You can reapply silicone to the barrel without a full disassemble:

 

You can also get silicone grease from Goulet: http://www.gouletpens.com/goulet-silicone-grease/p/GPC-SiliconeGrease

 

Not familiar with "teeth" on the piston. Perhaps that was silicone grease?

Good luck!

[sirgilbert357]

I can't say if it gets worse, but I can see that happening. Contrary to what people say on the internet, the modern 2000 piston unit (gray plastic) is not made to be disassembled.

 

What leads you to believe that?

[jcreilley]

Did you reapply a light coating of silicone grease to the inner barrel of the pen after you cleaned it?

 

I don't know how often you've flushed out or fully cleaned out the pen, but, at some point, a reapplication of silicon grease is necessary to keep the piston gliding smoothly. If there is not enough, or the silicone grease has been stripped through continuous fills and cleanings, the piston will "rumble" from the friction.

 

You can reapply silicone to the barrel without a full disassemble:

 

You can also get silicone grease from Goulet: http://www.gouletpens.com/goulet-silicone-grease/p/GPC-SiliconeGrease

 

Not familiar with "teeth" on the piston. Perhaps that was silicone grease?

 

Good luck!

Sorry, I meant the threads on the piston rod. Couldn't remember the word while I was typing this up to save my life! It wasn't grease, it was actual black plastic threading coming off.

[sirgilbert357]

That sounds bad...you didn't happen to take any pics of the damage did you? You might want to call Lamy and see about getting it fixed. I think they have a lifetime warranty in the USA.

[readonly]

 

What leads you to believe that?

The piston rod is visibly damaged after you disassemble it, just like OP describes it. If something gets damaged when disassembled, then it is clearly not designed to be disassembled on a routine basis.

[sirgilbert357]

The piston rod is visibly damaged after you disassemble it, just like OP describes it. If something gets damaged when disassembled, then it is clearly not designed to be disassembled on a routine basis.

 

Or it could have just been defective or disassembled incorrectly. You also make the distinction of the "gray plastic" ones not being able to withstand disassembly, but the design of the Lamy 2000 is virtually unchanged since inception. What's different about the gray plastic ones versus the other types out there? Are we just assuming something based solely on this thread, or are there actual design changes that now prohibit a safe disassembly? I'm honestly asking, as I'm not sure and I have a current production modern Lamy 2000 that I'll eventually want to know if I can disassemble or not...

[sirgilbert357]

Gray plastic part on this Lamy...looks like the disassembly went fine...

 

[haruka337]

All right.

The best thing to do at this point is to contact LAMY Germany (not the USA branch) and ask if they can sell you the a replacement for the piston.

The LAMY 2000, unlike TWSBI pens, where not meant to me taken apart. It can be done, but it's not encouraged.

[jcreilley]

All right.

 

The best thing to so at this point is to contact LAMY Germany (not the USA branch) and ask if they can sell you the a replacement for the piston.

 

The LAMY 2000, unlike TWSBI pens, where not meant to me taken apart. It can be done, but it's not encouraged.

Is there a reason for contacting Lamy Germany vs. USA? I'd assume that shipping and the wait time would be greater for them...

[FOUR X FOUR]

All right.

The best thing to so at this point is to contact LAMY Germany (not the USA branch) and ask if they can sell you the a replacement for the piston.

The LAMY 2000, unlike TWSBI pens, where not meant to me taken apart. It can be done, but it's not encouraged.

Good answer. Also, if you are going to disassemble, do it slowly, not fast.

[readonly]

Or it could have just been defective or disassembled incorrectly. You also make the distinction of the "gray plastic" ones not being able to withstand disassembly, but the design of the Lamy 2000 is virtually unchanged since inception. What's different about the gray plastic ones versus the other types out there? Are we just assuming something based solely on this thread, or are there actual design changes that now prohibit a safe disassembly? I'm honestly asking, as I'm not sure and I have a current production modern Lamy 2000 that I'll eventually want to know if I can disassemble or not...

Please check out this post https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/227631-lamy-2000-and-the-origins-of-lamy-design/page-6?do=findComment&comment=3077987

[sirgilbert357]

Please check out this post https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/227631-lamy-2000-and-the-origins-of-lamy-design/page-6?do=findComment&comment=3077987

 

So it would seem the best thing to do is unscrew the blind cap and then push the piston out from the stopper end? Or maybe just don't take it down that far? I really only want to take the section down to deep clean the feed and nib. Even greasing the piston doesn't require taking the whole piston out of the body...

[haruka337]

Is there a reason for contacting Lamy Germany vs. USA? I'd assume that shipping and the wait time would be greater for them...

LAMY's USA branch is known for being non-responsive and unhelpful. The German division is quick to respond and (you guessed it) helpful.

[readonly]

So it would seem the best thing to do is unscrew the blind cap and then push the piston out from the stopper end? Or maybe just don't take it down that far? I really only want to take the section down to deep clean the feed and nib. Even greasing the piston doesn't require taking the whole piston out of the body...

Just don't take it down that far. As you say, you can do cleaning and greasing without pulling out the piston. Disassembling all the front parts is fine.

[sirgilbert357]

Just don't take it down that far. As you say, you can do cleaning and greasing without pulling out the piston. Disassembling all the front parts is fine.

 

Guess that's what I'll do then. Wonder how the design of these parts enables Lamy to put it together without damaging it, but taking it apart just once causes this kind of wear and tear? So crazy.

 

Anyone want to fab up and sell a replacement rod that's more durable? Might be a market for it, LOL...

[Algester]

the L2K Piston isnt mean to be dissassembled in a way that you would need to use the piston knob to pluck it out you need a chopstick or something similar to get it out call it a "piston removing dowel" without the threads breaking up

either way even with the first few threads broken on my Lamy 2K it didnt affect the Piston performance

[jcreilley]

As a bit of a close to this story of my piston rod, I sent the pen to Lamy USA once I realized that my writing style needed a more fine nib, and another cap problem turned up. Lamy replaced the whole pen, free of charge. I suppose the L2K's piston is able to be disassembled, but only when absolutely needed. Thankfully Lamy doesn't consider it a warranty violation, so if anyone does mess it up, they should be amenable.