First Waterman 52

[Cryptos]

Okay, so what size is it for a 52 1/2V? Just a 15?

 

 

Bear in mind two things,

 

1. I am not sure that repairing either of these pens is worth the outlay.

2. I have never repaired a pen.

[Rednaxela]

Worked out mine by following these directions (no affiliation).

[Cryptos]

Awesome, thanks! That's exactly the kind of resource I was looking for.

 

Now have to decide whether to risk the repair or not.

[Rednaxela]

Cool!

 

You should be able to assemble the pen you have in mind at no cost, as long as you stick to the dip pen form. This is a relatively risk free and reversible operation. Worst thing that can happen is ending up with a thorougly cleaned version of what you have now.

 

When you have your project pen in this halfway state, you should be able to judge quite well whether you want to 'invest' in turning it into a fountain pen.

 

This would probably be my strategy, of course YMMV.

[Cryptos]

I've got both pens disassembled. I guess that represents a small victory for me on my first repair quest!

 

Measuring the part - as per that web link - gives me diameters of 6mm for the 52 1/2V and 7mm for the 52. Should I go for that size of sac, or go one size (0.5 mm) down for a tighter fit?

 

The 52 1/2 lever assembly and pressure bar seem to be functional (gold coloured lever too), but the one on the 52 is toast.

 

Also, should I file the sharp edges from the broken cap lip?

[Rednaxela]

If you're going to shellac the sac to the nipple, I personally see no advantage of going for a tighter fit.

 

As far as I know, some choose a smaller sac diameter to make sure there is enough free air around it inside the barrel. This prevents the heat of your hand from warming up the ink, causing it to expand and drip out of the pen.

 

With my 92 I went for the recommended size, and this worked out well.

[Rednaxela]

How is the restoration coming EoC?

[Cryptos]

It's not. I'm a bit reluctant to buy parts to attempt repair on what may well turn out to be third rate pens.

 

I costed it out and it comes to around $65 to effect repairs. Is it worth it for a user grade barely flexible 52 and a 52 1/2V with a badly chipped cap and a similar nib?

[PaganArcher]

Considering what they go for at this point, $65 to repair two seems like a drop in the bucket.

[Cryptos]

Okay, small update on this one (and PaganArcher - a letter is in production, been a bit snowed under of late, sorry for delay).

 

I was seriously considering just writing all this off as a bad experience - a learning one for sure, but not with a happy conclusion. Anyway, I was sitting at my desk fiddling with the barrel of the 52 (full size) and had a small flat head screwdriver inserted. At the same time I was watching Grandmia's video on removing lever boxes from Waterman pens. Somehow the end of the screwdriver found its way under the forward tab of the box and lifted it away from the inner curve of the barrel. Out popped the box and I was able to re-position the lever pins back where they should go. A little more fiddling with the screwdriver and the forward tab is back snug against the barrel...

 

I do believe that I have just fixed this! The lever moves freely up and down, the box seems stable, the pressure bar is still attached.

 

What do you guys reckon? Fixed or deceiving myself?

 

 

Right, just put an order in for a couple of sacs, some shellac and talc.

 

For what it is worth, this is the first time I have ever tried to repair a fountain pen. It would probably have been better to start with something like an Esterbrook, but in the end these two Waterman's would have been wasted. So, in for a penny and all that.

 

Unless someone tells me otherwise, I think I'll allow myself to feel just a little pleased!

[Rednaxela]

Permission granted.

 

Well done EoC!

[Cryptos]

Thanks Rednaxela, and let it be said that it was largely down to your enthusiasm and encouragement that I have gotten this far. Just a little way to go now!

[terim]

There was no image of the top of the cap, and I didn't know enough to ask I'm afraid. I've spoken to so many sellers who want north of $200 for a bog standard black 52 with a hint of flex that I was drained of any hope of acquiring something serviceable. The result was two random ebay purchases at low prices from people who appeared not to be pen sellers (hoping for a semi flexible nib to slip through the shark nets).

 

I have the worst kind of luck with these things, as can be seen here in this thread.

 

If nothing fits together, and I daresay it is looking that way, I may be looking to donate them to someone with better sense - so you may not have to fight me for it after all.

 

If getting an uncracked flexible #2 Waterman New York nib with good tipping for $20 is your definition of the worst kind of luck, well, sign me up for some of that bad luck ....

[Christopher Godfrey]

Well, you seem to be halfway there, so -- still think you have "third-rate" pens? 52s are wonderful pens and the Waterman nibs are incomparable, IMO; but perhaps you'll need to do some little smoothing?

 

Remember that, if you need spare parts, David Nishimura (www.vintagepens.com) in Rhode Island can sell you the entire lever box and even the cap ring -- he appears to have plenty of Waterman spares.

[Cryptos]

 

If getting an uncracked flexible #2 Waterman New York nib with good tipping for $20 is your definition of the worst kind of luck, well, sign me up for some of that bad luck ....

 

Semi flex at best, worn and badly faded body and cap, busted lever box, no sac. It's not going to win any beauty prizes!

 

 

Well, you seem to be halfway there, so -- still think you have "third-rate" pens? 52s are wonderful pens and the Waterman nibs are incomparable, IMO; but perhaps you'll need to do some little smoothing?

 

Remember that, if you need spare parts, David Nishimura (www.vintagepens.com) in Rhode Island can sell you the entire lever box and even the cap ring -- he appears to have plenty of Waterman spares.

 

Yes, I think in comparison to what a lot of people have easy access to most of the vintage pens that have passed across my desk have been third-rate at best.

 

As for Mr Nishimura, well, let's just say I doubt he would want to help me much. 'Sides which, I don't need the lever box now after I fixed it.

[Vintagepens]

Remember that, if you need spare parts, David Nishimura (www.vintagepens.com) in Rhode Island can sell you the entire lever box and even the cap ring -- he appears to have plenty of Waterman spares.

 

Thanks for the mention, but I'm afraid I only have a very limited range of parts available for purchase, all of which are listed on my website. The lever box assemblies listed are new old stock, but aren't for the 52 series. And the ringtop fittings are vintage but generic, not Waterman production.

[Cryptos]

Alrighty then!

 

The parts have arrived this morning. So guess what I'll be doing when I get home.

[RMN]

Do we have to use earplugs in case mr Murphy throws his law-book at you?

 

 

 

D.ick

[Cryptos]

Absolutely!

 

In theory it's just a simple refit of the sacs. Of more concern is the missing piece of cap lip on the 52 1/2V. I may throw caution to the wind and try and file it down level with the cap band.

 

But yes, Mr Murphy's big book of laws is both big and very heavy! Tends to leave bruises. Yikes!

[Cryptos]

Well, nuts!

 

It didn't go as anticipated.

 

Put a new sac on the 52. Dried the shellac and powdered the sac. Everything fit back together nice and neatly, but when I tried the lever the box fell apart. Looks like there was some stress damage or something. Totally shot.

 

The 52 1/2V the sac I ordered, which should be the right size for it won't fit all the way into the barrel. Too tight.

 

 

 

On the plus side I now have a bottle of shellac and a bag of French chalk in my desk drawer.

 

On the negative side it's just too expensive to ship more bits in. So, donor parts to go.

 

At least I had a go.

 

EDIT: on a much better note, got home to find a small package waiting. My mother has sent me father's old Sheaffer. Nothing special, just a Valiant snorkel that doesn't work, but the sentimental value is everything!