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Esterbrook J Autopsy

PenFisher

By PenFisher
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PenFisher Collectors Item

PenFisher

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I recently received some Esterbrook J model bodies and caps for replacement parts, harvesting jewels, etc. One poor J had truly seen it's last day and was beyond repair so I donated it's barrel to expand my (our) first hand knowledge of what's inside. These pictures show a gruesome opening of the barrel; however, I want to go on record and say that I didn't do it. I have an assistant -- a trained, miniature lab rat -- that actually opened up the barrel so we could peak inside.

 

So for those that already know this will be a repeat of some information that can be found in this forum elsewhere. For the rest of us here's what I found.

 

1. A channel etched into the inside of the barrel that circles the inner diameter at a point directly below where the lever filler pivots.

 

2. There is a clear plastic tray to support the ink sac which has a stub protusion on the side that contacts the inner barrel. This stub fits in the channel and locks the sac tray in place. There is also a notched section at the rear of the sac tray that I am guessing locks the back of the J-bar in place. I am also guessing that when reinstalling the sac tray, care will have to be taken to insure it is oriented 180 degrees below the fill lever pivot point.

 

3. The fill lever is held in place and pivots on a C shaped wire ring. The wire has spring to it, is threaded into the holes on the lever and fits inside the channel as well, thereby locking the lever in the proper place.

 

Hope this helps advance your understanding of the model.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4408586687_403ba47f53.jpg

 

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4408586851_f18704d374.jpg

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FarmBoy Museum Piece

FarmBoy

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Lets put these pictures from this post with your pictures for another view.

 

Todd

 

post-3036-1190960396.jpg

post-3036-1190960322.jpg

San Francisco International Pen Show - The next “Funnest Pen Show” is on schedule for August 23-24-25, 2024.  Watch the show website for registration details. 
 

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PenFisher Collectors Item

PenFisher

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Posted (edited)

Thanks for adding these ... the first thing I noticed was that the disection was much neater than the one carried out by my trained, minature lab rat assistant smile.gif

Edited by PenFisher
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FarmBoy Museum Piece

FarmBoy

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neat pics.. wondering why so much extra space?

 

The tray allowed Father Esterbrook to use the same sac (size and length) in the J, SJ and LJ.

 

Todd

San Francisco International Pen Show - The next “Funnest Pen Show” is on schedule for August 23-24-25, 2024.  Watch the show website for registration details. 
 

My PM box is usually full. Just email me: my last name at the google mail address.

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ZeissIkon Antique

ZeissIkon

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neat pics.. wondering why so much extra space?

 

The tray allowed Father Esterbrook to use the same sac (size and length) in the J, SJ and LJ.

 

Same J-bar and lever, too (the lever would have to change length if the effective barrel diameter differed, as well as the J-bar requiring different lengths and spring widths). All that added up to significant cost savings on the J family pens, since any engineer will tell you all manufactured goods get cheaper per unit, the more of them you make at the same time. Which, in turn, allowed use of better materials while keeping the pen in an attractive price range, resulting in the legendary durability and beauty of the Esterbrook J line.

Does not always write loving messages.

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Jack7770 Mint

Jack7770

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Just wanted to say thanks to both photo producers. By chance I was replacing a lever on an Estie dollar with the plastic tray and original j bar. The photos were especially helpful in reassembly and I'm waiting for the shellac to dry as I write this. Thanks again.

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chairmaker Dipped Only

chairmaker

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Just wanted to say thanks to both photo producers. By chance I was replacing a lever on an Estie dollar with the plastic tray and original j bar. The photos were especially helpful in reassembly and I'm waiting for the shellac to dry as I write this. Thanks again.

Do all Estie dollars have the tray. Just got my first one and will be doing the sac and maybe J-bar replacement soon.

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Joe in Seattle Antique

Joe in Seattle

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Now that was quite informative; thank you both.

"how do I know what I think until I write it down?"

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FarmBoy Museum Piece

FarmBoy

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Just wanted to say thanks to both photo producers. By chance I was replacing a lever on an Estie dollar with the plastic tray and original j bar. The photos were especially helpful in reassembly and I'm waiting for the shellac to dry as I write this. Thanks again.

Do all Estie dollars have the tray. Just got my first one and will be doing the sac and maybe J-bar replacement soon.

No tray on the dollar pens.

 

Todd

San Francisco International Pen Show - The next “Funnest Pen Show” is on schedule for August 23-24-25, 2024.  Watch the show website for registration details. 
 

My PM box is usually full. Just email me: my last name at the google mail address.

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Juicyjones Extremely Rare

Juicyjones

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neat pics.. wondering why so much extra space? to hold more ink than the basic sac size, would the sac require torsion to fill properly? is that why the vac/piston fillers came into existence?

 

I was also deliberately making sure that the sac doesn't make contact with the outside wall ever, so that the warmth of your hand doesn't expand the sac. It's definitely a trade-off for ink capacity.

"If we faked going to the Moon, why did we fake it nine times?" -- Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4447835438_d7314170bf_o.png

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JakobS Collectors Item

JakobS

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Posted (edited)

Just wanted to say thanks to both photo producers. By chance I was replacing a lever on an Estie dollar with the plastic tray and original j bar. The photos were especially helpful in reassembly and I'm waiting for the shellac to dry as I write this. Thanks again.

Do all Estie dollars have the tray. Just got my first one and will be doing the sac and maybe J-bar replacement soon.

No tray on the dollar pens.

 

Todd

 

And thus regular sized Dollars can take size 18 sacs, while demi sized dollars take size 16 sacs. Both of which I am in the process of repairing!

Edited by JakobS

FP Ink Orphanage-Is an ink not working with your pens, not the color you're looking for, is never to see the light of day again?!! If this is you, and the ink is in fine condition otherwise, don't dump it down the sink, or throw it into the trash, send it to me (payment can be negotiated), and I will provide it a nice safe home with love, and a decent meal of paper! Please PM me!<span style='color: #000080'>For Sale:</span> TBA

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kenkaye3 New

kenkaye3

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does anyone know where I can get a new sac tray and j bar? i have seen many j bars around but most have u shape to them and need to be ground flat (as I saw on one you tube vid). I can not seem to find a sac tray for sale anywhere though. Thanks.

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WirsPlm Collectors Item

WirsPlm

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I bought my new J bars from Anderson Pens (54 mm ones). There wasn't any need to grind or reshape them, just plug in and go. No idea on the sac tray, sorry.

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inkstainedruth Ancient Artifact

inkstainedruth

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The photos are very informative. Thanks to both PenFisher and FarmBoy for posting them.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

"It's very nice, but frankly, when I signed that list for a P-51, what I had in mind was a fountain pen."

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Gloucesterman Antique

Gloucesterman

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does anyone know where I can get a new sac tray and j bar? i have seen many j bars around but most have u shape to them and need to be ground flat (as I saw on one you tube vid). I can not seem to find a sac tray for sale anywhere though. Thanks.

 

Ditto on looking for a sac tray!

“Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today, because if you do it today and like it, you can do again tomorrow!”

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OcalaFlGuy Museum Piece

OcalaFlGuy

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The tray isn't any requirement and putting them in will make you crazy.

 

As was mentioned, there was no tray in the Dollar (and I'll add) the transitional J pens.

 

Open up the J a bit and be sure it's directly under the lever and you'll be fine. (Though the tray does help keep the j-bar in position.)

 

If you absolutely must, I believe Farmboy has some trays.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

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