Nos Considerations For Piston Filler Mb.

[GriffinGH]

Hi all,

 

I'm just getting into this hobby and I was wondering if any of you know if there are specific considerations to take into account when buying a NOS 146 or 149. Let's say for example the pen is anywhere between 10 to 15 years old.

 

I read somewhere that a MB piston fountain pen should be serviced once every 10 years, would this apply to a NOS?

[meiers]

Not necessarily. It all depends on the pen.

[GriffinGH]

OK, makes sense. But for a 12 yo NOS Montblanc 146 you can't really say for sure if it would need service?

[alwayssunnyalwaysreal]

Depending on the condition of the pen, and what part of the pen you would potentially consider servicing.

 

I bought a MB 149, used, and I think it's one from the current version, so it's not really old. The pen was in very clean condition and the nib writes with no issue. However after a few months, the piston gets really hard to operate and it annoys me that I had to turn the piston for 10+ minutes, and ink was still coming out of the pen. But once I used the tool to get the nib unit and piston unit disassembled, a quick application of the silicon grease got all of those issue resolved.

 

So I would always assume that even for a perfectly working NOS pen, it's hard to predict if any service is needed soon, once the pen starts to get used.

[meiers]

Lubricating the piston is no big deal.

However, you might ask the vendor if the piston in the NOS pen is moving freely.

Edited October 15, 2017 by meiers

[soapytwist]

IMO it's not the piston that would be the main issue on a NOS pen (although it's one to consider). I'd be more concerned that the section sealant that's used on the nib unit might have failed. Ten-to-fifteen years seems to be the lifespan of the sealant before you start getting a leak in the grip area.

[niksch]

It's all hype. You may own a MB piston filled pen that may need an service at some point in its life, but if you take care of the pen, you won't need it. Enjoy your pen, use cool inks!

[thygreyt]

Im a bit torn in the answer.

 

A few months back i bought a NOS pen, a 2011 Patron of the arts.

The pen being a 6 year old unused, had a bit of a hard piston. It wasnt seized, and it moved... but it was noticeably more difficult to move than any of my other pens.

I simply took it home, took it apart (i have the tools) and lubricated it. Now its perfect.

 

So, a 15 year old? I'd service it BEFORE anything else.

[alwayssunnyalwaysreal]

Im a bit torn in the answer.

 

A few months back i bought a NOS pen, a 2011 Patron of the arts.

The pen being a 6 year old unused, had a bit of a hard piston. It wasnt seized, and it moved... but it was noticeably more difficult to move than any of my other pens.

I simply took it home, took it apart (i have the tools) and lubricated it. Now its perfect.

 

So, a 15 year old? I'd service it BEFORE anything else.

Does the pen share the same 146 nib unit?

 

It seems that many special/limited editions from Montblanc have the 146 size nib. I'm curious if that means it's basically the same method as removing the nib unit on a 146?

[Driften]

Does the pen share the same 146 nib unit?

 

It seems that many special/limited editions from Montblanc have the 146 size nib. I'm curious if that means it's basically the same method as removing the nib unit on a 146?

 

 

Removing the piston on a 146/149 in general is easier then removing the nib. Also older 146/149 used a special sealant on the nib threads. It takes a tool for nib or piston and depending on the age the tool can be different. You can buy the tool sometimes on eBay cheep or pay around $60 for one made in the USA.

 

I would suggest leaving the nib alone. If it needs to have the nib removed sent it in for MB to work on. If the piston needs lubed or its getting ink behind the piston buying the tool and carefully pulling it and lubing is not hard, but people have messed their pens up doing it.

[thygreyt]

Does the pen share the same 146 nib unit?

 

It seems that many special/limited editions from Montblanc have the 146 size nib. I'm curious if that means it's basically the same method as removing the nib unit on a 146?

Most special editions are 146 dressed up. They share the nib unit, and piston.

 

Disassembly is the same for all 146/149 based pens.

 

I bought my tools on ebay for $30 (both, nib and piston)

[niksch]

All modern 149s (Since the early 70s) & 146s, LEs included, use the same diameter piston seal, although the design has changed in the last 18 years or so. It makes them very easy to service.