Swan Twist Filler

[Dik F Liu]

I am resaccing a Swan twist filler. At the section's nipple, there is a slight protrusion. Please see the link to the image.

1. Does that mean that I don't need to shellac the pen sac to the nipple? Susan Wirth sold me this pen many years ago and, all these years, it was she who resacced it intermittantly at no charge. Wonderful lady. It seems that she didn't use any shellac as when I removed the sac, there was no residue of shellac on the nipple.

2. Should I use a smaller than usual sac to ensure a better fitting between the sac and the nipple?

3. Should I use a straight sac or a necked sac and, if I need a necked sac, how would I know its size?

I am attaching the link to the image as, when I tried to upload it (a less than 1 mg version), it can not post. My apology to the admin if this is not admissible. Thanks.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=18XGe017uu6MPwGa8qEMMOZNuXUfU3CNd

[PaulS]

not wise to omit the shellac, and then plenty of talc on the outside of the sac. The idea when re-sacing leverless seems to be that you remove the feed and nib from the section, then re-sac with shellac to the nipple and insert sac and section into barrel, making sure the knob is turned to the closed position. Some form of thin dowel can be used - through the section - to make sure the sac penetrates fully into the barrel. Apparently this filling system works best on large necked sacs, not smaller ones. regret I can't advise as to exactly which size of sac for your pen - someone else may have the answer.

Lastly the nib and feed are replaced.

 

many sections have terminal wide protrusions at the sac end, but than doesn't mean you don't need to use shellac - the ideas of the protrusion is simply to make for a tight and better fit.

Edited October 14, 2018 by PaulS

[PaulS]

normally I'd edit my comments, but with current forum problems a new post is probably quicker.

 

If you go to Pendragons web site, they have lots of info on sacs - necked or otherwise - failing which give them a call. The size for your pen may in fact be a No. 17 or 18 depending on whether your pen is a 4xxx series or something else.

best of luck.

Edited October 14, 2018 by PaulS

[peterg]

Normal advice is to fit a necked sac and the largest size that will fit. I use a drill stand to measure my nipples - calculated in /64th, so a metric stand is not much use. As you have a lip on the nipple I would go one size down.

[Dik F Liu]

Thanks, PaulS and Peterg, for your advice.

 

I bought this pen from Susan Wirth over twenty years ago. Every few years, the sac would get tangled and then I would send the pen back to Susan for resaccing. What an excellent seller she was. She always sprinkled talc powder into the barrel to keep the sac from tangling, but it is of no use. Last time, she said that she would use a large sac to prevent the tangling. Yet, it still tangles. Susan passed away last year and this is the first time that I am rasaccing this pen. Is there a way that I can prevent the tangling?

[PaulS]

without seeing your pen it's difficult to assess why this has occurred repeatedly - some argue this invention was less efficient than a lever or b.f., and certainly in your case it brings after sales problems, and always possible your bar has a defect causing failure to fully release its hold on the sac. I wouldn't comment on Susan Wirth's professional abilities since am sure she knew acres more than me - but curious the lady didn't offer some corrective solution to a problem that seems to have happened on a regular basis.

Would suggest you have options of - either sending the pen to another professional repair person and asking they disconnect the twist button from the pen thus releasing the bar for a full inspection ………… have to remember that these buttons are on left hand threads, usually, and a special tool is required to be inserted into the barrel to stop the cam from rotating, whilst the button is removed.

Or, you find another pen into which your section/nib can be used - preferably a lever fill pen, as I don't think M.T. made b.fs. (at least they didn't make simple ones).

Sorry we haven't solved the problem for you