Push Pencil Disassembly

[uwula]

Satisfying a curiosity here:

I gather from 'parts' pictures that the nose cone and metal band on either end of the barrel of an Esterbrook push pencil are threaded onto the barrel. For the life of me I can't unscrew either piece on my J-series pencil. I've used rubber grips--no section pliers on hand. Gently warmed the barrel, but nothing doing.

Any tips on taking these pencils apart?

[Hobiwan]

On the cone (tassie) ... at least make sure any lead is fully pushed all the way back into the inside of the barrel (use something like a long hat pin) and the part that holds the lead doesn't protrude outside the cone. Do this even if the lead is broken off, as some lead may still be stuck in the mechanism, making it work against the cone coming away from the barrel.

[uwula]

I have cleared the lead out, but I can't see how to get the jaws or collet out of the way. I figured I'd have to get the band off first and work the barrel and nose cone upward?

 

Thank you--

[Hobiwan]

Once you get the lead out (pushed back into the barrel) put the cap back in place, hold the pencil, point up, then push the cap in, as if to expel lead out, but without any lead. Then nurse the gripping jaws all the way back into the cone. That will release the cone from the pressure of the mechanism. When you push on the cap, the jaws should open up outside the cone, and you can look in to see if there's any leftover lead still in them. Sometimes a piece of lead will break off inside, and keep the jaws from fully compressing ...

[uwula]

Sorry, I feel like I'm being either obtuse or ham-handed. I can pinch my thumb, but I can't tuck the jaw in there. It's definitely not a problem of lead blocking the way, the collet's just too wide to slip in, surely?

If it makes any difference, this is one of the .036" lead pencils with ribbing on the (relatively) short cone. Is it possible the collet is a snugger fit on these models?

If it's just a matter of steady, tender work, I'll keep at it. I appreciate your help.

Edited March 18, 2019 by uwula

[uwula]

Follow-up: I borrowed a friend's .046" J to have a go at it, and it's the easiest thing in the world to take apart. I can see why you guessed there might be lead in the mechanism that kept the collet from sliding back inside the nose cone; on my friend's pencil, it slides in on its own if it isn't holding any lead.

Unfortunately, my push pencil is stuck as an 'outie.' It feeds lead fine, and I've done quite a few passes with my little hobbyist drill-bits that just fit inside it to make sure nothing was getting in the way. No dice. The jaws sit on the outside, exactly as they do when holding a stick of lead. Which is a bit further out than the jaws on the .046" sit even when there is lead in the mechanism.

I at least feel less obtuse! Will have to have a think about it, though.

Thank you again for the help.

Edited March 21, 2019 by uwula

[FarmBoy]

I at least feel less obtuse! Will have to have a think about it, though.

 

Try orthonormal