Conway Stewart Lever Issues

[Keith_in_SF]

Hi all - I'm just getting back into the pen hobby after a few years away. Unfortunately, I am off to a terrible start with two Conway Stewart lever fillers that I found at a local pawn shop (unlikely find in the US, right?)

In one case, the lever pin broke as I was cleaning gooey/semi-ossified sac out of the barrel with a test-tube brush - I'm not sure if I only broke the pin itself, or if I actually broke the hole that holds the pin (see picture below), turning it into a notch...

On the other pen, I simply broke the tab off of the lever - it was extremely stiff, even with the sac removed completely and it just snapped off...

Does anyone sell replacement levers and/or pins? Any tips for doing better next time? (I feel like a complete idiot!)

Thanks.

Edited September 9, 2018 by Keith_in_SF

[gregamckinney]

I had the problem with a 58 that you do on your pen #2. I had to find a donor pen and swap out the lever. I was unable to find anyone with a part FS.

Good luck,

greg

[Ghost Plane]

Try Ron Zorn at Main Street Pens

[fabri00]

I do not think pen #1 is broken.

The lever is normally holded with a C spring, and in that case an open hole is needed.

See here:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIYJ6k6foLM

[PaulS]

fabri00 looks to be right - I've a BHR barrel only marked The Universal PEN No. 479, and the lever is connected to a C ring which lays within a groove inside the barrel - and the lower end of the lever has projecting feet which slide in the grooves of the bar. So, the answer is that the notch is supposed to be there, but the C ring is possibly broken, and if so you'll need a new one fitted. Can be fiddly to fit.

Edited September 10, 2018 by PaulS

[nigelg]

You might find these threads useful.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/337728-soldering-lever-tab/?hl=%2Blever+%2Bpin

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/337077-making-a-c-ring-for-cs-lever/?hl=%2Blever+%2Bpin