Transitional: lever problem

[Rufus]

I have just noticed that when I press on the bottom end of the filler lever on my Transitional that the top end of the lever moves up; what's causing this and can it be repaired?

[jimg]

A small amount of 'lift' is normal and results from the positioning of the hinge point on the lever part way along its length.This small amount of lift at the 'spatula' end results from some give in the 'J' spring and the sac underneath it as the base of the lever is depressed. If the movement is more than a millimetre or two at the splaid end of the lever it might be because the 'J' spring is a little off centre on the lever foot inside the pen or the pivot hinge, which attaches the lever into the barrel, may be broken or dislodged.

 

Does the lever move straight up and down when you open and close it or does it waggle a bit from side to side? If you press down gently on the lever does it sink into the pen for the whole of its length or only move around the hinge? Does the pen take up and expel ink when you operate the lever?

[Rufus]

jimg, thanks for the interest in my problem. Let me answer your questions seriatim:

 

- the lever moves straight up and down when opened and closed; it does not waggle from side to side;

 

- when pressed down the lever does not sink into the pen along its whole length; it moves around the hinge;

 

- the pen takes up and expels ink when the lever is operated.

 

I should also add that the lift at the spatulated end of the lever resulting from downward pressure at the foot of the lever is quite noticeable and significantly more than the lift I get on my J double jewel (which has none) and my Dollar pen (which might have 1 cm).

Edited December 7, 2007 by Rufus

[Rufus]

jimg, thanks for the interest in my problem. Let me answer your questions seriatim:

 

- the lever moves straight up and down when opened and closed; it does not waggle from side to side;

 

- when pressed down the lever does not sink into the pen along its whole length; it moves around the hinge;

 

- the pen takes up and expels ink when the lever is operated.

 

I should also add that the lift at the spatulated end of the lever resulting from downward pressure at the foot of the lever is quite noticeable and significantly more than the lift I get on my J double jewel (which has none) and my Dollar pen (which might have 1 cm).

 

Bump. Any ideas? Should this concern me, i.e. will it get worse? Or, should I just live with it?

 

[jmkeuning]

I do not think it should concern you. As long as the lever is not flopping around, you're good.

 

When I have loose levers that bother me, I sometimes spread the steel by the spoon (or spade). Carefully spread the metal and it will lodge/wedge in the plastic slot.

[jimg]

Sounds like it might be a mis-aligned 'J' bar but it might just be a more pronounced version of the common problem of 'give' in the 'J' bar and sac.

 

I would try James' suggestion but if the lever doesn't waggle and the pen draws up ink and doesn't leak I wouldn't worry too much.

 

If you are confident aboout such things you might remove the section and sac and have a look at the positioning of the 'J' bar. It should fit snug aligned under the lever, pushed with its 'U' section tight against the barrel end. If you are not confident I would just send the pen off to a local pen repairer for a check up. It should be a cheap fix.

 

[Rufus]

Thanks guys. I think I let sleeping dogs lie for now, but if the problem gets worse I'll do as you suggest jimg and take a look inside the barrel.