L'etalon Repair - Need Your Help

[Dr.X]

Hello friends.

 

I am the original owner of this beautiful pen that I loved for many years. Alas, like all of my other modern Waterman pens (FP and BP), it eventually started to leak and fell apart. Anyway, I want to resume using this pen, and, as you can see, there seems to be a crack in the plastic of the feed that I need to somehow repair. I was thinking of using some kind of liquid epoxy, since it's a small gap I have to fill in. What do you think?

 

Next, and more importantly, securing the nib and feed back into the section, what should I use? I did read a couple of posts recently about the Carene and L'Etalon on FPN, and I recall suggestions to use epoxy for that. That seems a little permanent...if it starts to leak there is no removing it. My sense is that the original problem started (like with my Carene FPs) because inserting a cartridge puts pressure on the feed to push it out of the section. If that is true, it will take more than shellack or even silicone sealant to keep it in.

 

Many thanks,

Nick

[Left FPN]

This subject has been discussed recently.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/342044-leaking-etalon-end-of-the-line/

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/306805-dismantling-a-waterman-letalon-section/

 

A cartridge or converter does not touch the feed when installed. They contact and seal with an integral proboscis inside the grip. Pushing the feed out of a Carene would be impossible because they emit aft.

[Dr.X]

Thank you Force.

 

I read those posts and I'm not sure any they answer my questions directly - I think I follow Ernst, but am not sure.

 

So, the crack is in what Ernst calls the "holder" of the nib and feed. I will try to separate the nib and feed from the holder and probably use some epoxy to fill the gap.

 

Then, after reinstalling the nib and feed I am thinking of using a very small amount of silicone RTV to seal the holder into the section. I don't have the orange rubber ring anymore.

 

Hopefully this will do the trick, keep everything in place, and keep it from leaking.