Death Of An Omas

[sansenri]

thank you, como! I'm metabolizing grief... ( ) now I have to look at practical things...

how do I get the nib out?!

I managed to unscrew the section but the nib is very tightly stuck in there...

 

the ebonite feed is so yellow I think it may have been cooked by the nitric acid...

Just a side note, now that I've carefully washed all the pieces they no longer have that pungent odour as before, they just smell nicely of camphor

 

Edited October 10, 2020 by sansenri

[sansenri]

This is the saddest thing I have seen all day!

Cheer up, Pakman! I have... since this just got here today...

Edited October 10, 2020 by sansenri

[como]

sansenri: Use a nib knock-out block to knock out the nib and feed from behind. Alternatively you can try to unscrew the nib collar from the front. Usually Omas pens have these ebonite feeds with two prongs. But you need a special tool, or try to make one with a paper clip. Knock out from behind is the best.

thank you, como! I'm metabolizing grief... ( ) now I have to look at practical things...

how do I get the nib out?!

I managed to unscrew the section but the nib is very tightly stuck in there...

Edited October 10, 2020 by como

[sansenri]

Dear friend: I know there is no other way to confort you if not suggesting you buying another Wild pen... The hunt will maintain you occupied!

 

There are a few Galileo offered here and there (some of which already show the beginning of a short life, others that look pristine), a fewer Grand Paragons in Wild celluloid (I find them irresistible), some very limited editions made by OMAS for particular shops (veeeeery expensive), and also a few dedicated to the anti-Galilean Pope Urbano VI (much more expensive than the Galileo).

 

Some month ago I bought a Galileo for my daughter Carlotta, to award her for the beautiful work she has done with her Master Thesis ("Angelical music for a New World"). I find a perfect pen at a very reasonable price, a price like they were used to be ten years ago... Carlotta is very happy, and she sent me a photograph of her pen, which I would share with you, sansenri:

 

 

 

Dear Franco, thank you for trying to bring comfort, I'm not sure I have to listen to your advice... (but I've been googling already!...)

 

Congratulations to your daughter and I sincerely hope her Galileo will be one of the eternal ones!

[sansenri]

sansenri: Use a nib knock-out block to knock out the nib and feed from behind. Alternatively you can try to unscrew the nib collar from the front. Usually Omas pens have these ebonite feeds with two prongs. But you need a special tool, or try to make one with a paper clip. Knock out from behind is the best.

Thanks, como. I've made some attempts at taking a photo of the section front, but not easy, anyhow, there do not seem to be any prongs. I've tried pulling nib and feed out but it's awfully tight (will not unscrew either).

I think I need to knock it from behind but probably need to drill myself a suitable block with exact measures (no experience here, I assume 6mm would be too tight, should I drill a size 7 mm hole?)

 

section seen nib pointing upwards

Edited October 10, 2020 by sansenri

[como]

sansenri: If you don't have a nib knock-out block, best just buy one. It's one of the most useful tools for pen repairs. You will make good use of this. All Omas nibs are better off being knocked out from behind as the nib collar is fragile and often breaks when one tries to unscrew it out from front (I only suggested it as a second option because your pen is already kaputt anyway, so I am not afraid of breaking the feed or collar).

 

Like this one: https://www.vintagepensacsandparts.com/product.php/401/3/knock_out_block_and_punches

 

If you still prefer to drill a hole to rest your section on, drill a deep hole that is just slightly bigger than the diameter of the feed. Make sure the hole is deep. Otherwise your nib becomes a nail that goes into the block!

Thanks, como. I've made some attempts at taking a photo of the section front, but not easy, anyhow, there do not seem to be any prongs. I've tried pulling nib and feed out but it's awfully tight (will not unscrew either).

I think I need to knock it from behind but probably need to drill myself a suitable block with exact measures (no experience here, I assume 6mm would be too tight, should I drill a size 7 mm hole?)

 

section seen nib pointing upwards

 

Edited October 10, 2020 by como

[sansenri]

Ah, sorry to see this. I have the Galileo Extra in Wild celluloid and it also has a crease in the celluloid in almost the same spot as yours. They don't go on forever and some don't even last a long time but I'll enjoy it while it's here. I will salvage its nib if it gets too far gone because the nib is amazing. That, combined with the celluloid, makes it a very beautiful pen. I feel your pain.

Thank you Uncial, you might be the one who understands me most, but do enjoy your Galileo as much as possible.

The nib is nice and I am already planning to save it and probably fit it to another Omas.

Another possibility is use it in an eyedropper pen.

I made some tests some time ago, with a spare Omas nib, Paragon size, so size 6, that I have; the best pen and feed it would match is a Gama Eyas in ebonite with ebonite feed. Fits perfectly (while for example is too thin on Ranga pens).

[sansenri]

Oof. That is tough. To see such a beautiful pen in such a state... Condolences! A reminder for us all about impermanence.

thank you silverlifter, I believe you've touched upon a sensitive subject...

I found my mind wandering among those thoughts for a while after,

then decided I'd better get back to my pens...

[sansenri]

sansenri: If you don't have a nib knock-out block, best just buy one. It's one of the most useful tools for pen repairs. You will make good use of this. All Omas nibs are better off being knocked out from behind as the nib collar is fragile and often breaks when one tries to unscrew it out from front (I only suggested it as a second option because your pen is already kaputt anyway, so I am not afraid of breaking the feed or collar).

 

Like this one: https://www.vintagepensacsandparts.com/product.php/401/3/knock_out_block_and_punches

 

If you still prefer to drill a hole to rest your section on, drill a deep hole that is just slightly bigger than the diameter of the feed. Make sure the hole is deep. Otherwise your nib becomes a nail that goes into the block!

Thank you, yes, absolutely, I'm aware the hole need to be deep to avoid any harm to the nib and feed.

Thanks for the link, but I'll probably make my own, I think I have the drill size and a block of wood that might do the job.

[como]

You are welcome. It's fun to make tool and repair pens. The hole should be big enough so that the nib and feed can easily go in and have a little bit of wiggle room, while the section cannot go in but sit outside stably. Good luck! If all things fail, you can always set it on fire. You know celluloid burns with much enthusiasm ;-) Ok, I am just kidding (but it's true) .

Thank you, yes, absolutely, I'm aware the hole need to be deep to avoid any harm to the nib and feed.

Thanks for the link, but I'll probably make my own, I think I have the drill size and a block of wood that might do the job.

[sansenri]

:lol:

[OMASsimo]

Sanseri, seeing this almost broke my heart! The Galileo is one of my all time favourite pens and I immediately had to check mine for any indications of disintegration. I admire you for the way you’re taking this loss.

 

I would try to preserve as much of the pen as possible. I would bathe the parts in ammonia solution to neutralise the acid. This might save at least the cap. If the knock out block as suggested by como doesn’t work for you, you could cut the section from underneath since that part seems to be history anyway.

[Storch]

Another alternative would be to get a new body made out of a different material as a new home for the nib and section to live in.

I might be more trouble, but if you can salvage the piston knob and mechanism, those could be incorporated as well.

Lemonade from lemons and all.

[sansenri]

Sanseri, seeing this almost broke my heart! The Galileo is one of my all time favourite pens and I immediately had to check mine for any indications of disintegration. I admire you for the way you’re taking this loss.

 

I would try to preserve as much of the pen as possible. I would bathe the parts in ammonia solution to neutralise the acid. This might save at least the cap. If the knock out block as suggested by como doesn’t work for you, you could cut the section from underneath since that part seems to be history anyway.

thank you OMASsimo, trust yours is ok, I think many are, mine was one of the unlucky ones.

 

Once I've dismantled all useful parts I'll follow your advice.

I'm not sure it's any use to save the cap, although it's probably the part that has suffered less, at least I'd have to keep it in quarantine (a well known procedure these days...) to see if degradation signs show up again.

In the last period just before it broke, the whole pen was sort of essudating a humid almost sticky patina...

I would probably want to save the clip, as it is really still in very good condition, but not sure how to dismantle it from the cap.

[sansenri]

Another alternative would be to get a new body made out of a different material as a new home for the nib and section to live in.

I might be more trouble, but if you can salvage the piston knob and mechanism, those could be incorporated as well.

Lemonade from lemons and all.

thanks, I have thought of that, but I would expect the section to continue it's degradation and frustrate any work done.

If I want to go that route all I have is the nib, perhaps the feed, if not spoilt by the nitric acid, and the piston, I'm not sure it's worth rebuilding the whole pen, as it might cost me quite a bit, but maybe. Otherwise, if saving the nib is the scope, just fit the nib to another pen, either another Omas, or I have already tested that these larger Omas nibs fit nicely in Gama ebonite pens.

[Michael R.]

You‘d need to remove the inner cap. It‘s screwed in and more or less easy (or hard) to unscrew depending on production tolerances and/or shrinking of the outer cap. The inner cap holds in place the clip as well.

 

For the piston removal first „hammer out“ the little metal pin, unscrew and pull filling knob from the piston mechanism.

[sansenri]

by the way, I've checked info but I cannot find reference on how to dismantle the piston on these celluloid pens.

 

I'm not sure if this info is any use

https://youtu.be/5q-z_GAQVfo

 

My piston looks rather different from the one on the video (not sure if this is because my pen broke in half and has taken with it also an internal part - see my photo above https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/356046-death-of-an-omas/page-2?do=findComment&comment=4365682) but I recall that Omas celluloid pens have two small holes on the finial that are supposed to be used to disengage the finial itself and then dismantle the piston. Don't know how to do that though.

 

any further advice?

I don't want to force the piston by turning counterclockwise beyond where it stops, if that's not the correct method for celluloid pens.

thanks

 

 

 

[RubenDh]

It meight sound too straightforward, but, wouldn't it be possible to 'glue' it back together?

[sansenri]

You‘d need to remove the inner cap. It‘s screwed in and more or less easy (or hard) to unscrew depending on production tolerances and/or shrinking of the outer cap. The inner cap holds in place the clip as well.

 

For the piston removal first „hammer out“ the little metal pin, unscrew and pull filling knob from the piston mechanism.

ah, thank you Michal, just noted your comment now

[como]

sansenri: The piston from your pen should not be much different from the one shown in youtube video. Once you get the section off the barrel, which you have, you should be able to unscrew the piston knob which pushes the front part of the piston unit (seal and shaft) out from the front. Meanwhile keep unscrewing the piston knob, you will feel some resistance towards the end. Keep unscrewing over that resistance, and the spindle and the attached piston knob will pop out from the backside. To get the piston unit off the piston knob, you need to secure the pen and knock out the safety pin (metal pin that is fixed in the two holes of the piston knob). Once you do all that, you have fully disassembled the piston unit.

by the way, I've checked info but I cannot find reference on how to dismantle the piston on these celluloid pens.

 

I'm not sure if this info is any use

https://youtu.be/5q-z_GAQVfo

 

My piston looks rather different from the one on the video (not sure if this is because my pen broke in half and has taken with it also an internal part - see my photo above https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/356046-death-of-an-omas/page-2?do=findComment&comment=4365682) but I recall that Omas celluloid pens have two small holes on the finial that are supposed to be used to disengage the finial itself and then dismantle the piston. Don't know how to do that though.

 

any further advice?

I don't want to force the piston by turning counterclockwise beyond where it stops, if that's not the correct method for celluloid pens.

thanks