Has Anyone Sourced & Machined Replacement Pear/abalone Slabs For Eyedropper Pens?

[morganschmidt]

Hi,

 

I've recently come upon a vintage Parker pen with alternating pearl/abalone slabs...and unfortunately there is one missing. Has anyone undertaken such a repair and sourced the raw materials for doing so? It doesn't seem *that* difficult to do, but perhaps it is one of those 'looks can be deceiving' jobs. Thanks. -Morgan

[FarmBoy]

The actual slab work is not that difficult. Sourcing a slab large and flat enough is.

[Mtranen]

If you're looking for a source of inlay materials, you need to visit The Duke of Pearl.

[FarmBoy]

If you're looking for a source of inlay materials, you need to visit The Duke of Pearl.

Yeah but unless you go with the laminated sheets it is hard to find solid pieces that are long and flat enough.

 

BUT you can borrow from other damaged pens...

[morganschmidt]

Thanks...I've been looking at people that source 'blanks' for knife handles; that laminate stuff that's at most 1/8" thick certainly won't work...

[LukeSkyliner]

I have a few carcasses that could potentially be donors - somewhere . . .

[Bobby Check]

The Duke of Pearl website is incredible. It is well worth looking at as a source of inlay materials.

Bobby

[Stylomeister]

Also 5 Star Pens is worth a look:

 

http://www.fivestarpens.com/waterman-pen-parts.html

 

Scroll down to Waterman Pearl Slabs, all very clean, 37.5mm in length excluding the notched tabs on each end, very nice bright coloring, $26ea, Item #586WA

[RavenTheJust]

Also worthwile to check some japanese (or other) fishing lure accessories.
Mother of pearl / Abalone is often used to enhance lures..
There are some cheap sources available.

[siamackz]

Anyone with experience installing strips or slabs? I understand that a channel needs to be made on the body and then you press the strip in the channel and then pour super glue on top. But what if youre trying to install think strips, like say the strips on a Pelikan. Will you still make channels? Or is there a way to instal on the barrel and then apply layers or coats of some finish to level the barrel up and not have the strips sticking out?

[FarmBoy]

On the pen in the OP the slabs are held in place by the barrel bands. Experience suggests an adhesive such as hide glue may have assisted in the original installation.