Help! I Dropped My 14k Sheaffer Pen

[Sandy]

Help!

 

I use my pen everyday but now I've dropped my Sheaffer pen and have broken the nib.

 

Can anyone recommend where/how I can buy a replacement nib?

 

I don't even know the name of the model ... I've had it for maybe 25 years.

The nib is 14K gold plated (as is the case). The nib has markings "585" (I think. The writing is very small").

 

Any help would be very much appreciated!

 

- Sandy

 

PS: I'm in Toronto/Canada.

 

Here is a photo of the pen with an inset showing the broken nib:

 

http://www.radha.com/sheaffer_1.jpg

Edited May 27, 2010 by Sandy

[Silvermink]

That's a Targa, if you want to search for nib units.

[Sandy]

That's a Targa, if you want to search for nib units.

 

Thanks so much! With that information, I've already located one supplier! (www.sheaffertarga.com - in the UK, hopefully I'll also find a North American shop as well).

 

Regards,

Sandy.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Also FWIW, the 585 designates 14kt gold, not just gold plated.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Shangas]

Hey Sandy.

 

Sheaffer Targas had gold-plated BODIES (caps, barrels). The nibs themselves were 14kt solid gold.

[Sandy]

Also FWIW, the 585 designates 14kt gold, not just gold plated.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

Thanks Bruce. I hadn't realized that it was solid 14kt.

 

Regards,

Sandy.

[Sandy]

Hey Sandy.

 

Sheaffer Targas had gold-plated BODIES (caps, barrels). The nibs themselves were 14kt solid gold.

 

Thanks Shangas.

 

So far, one vendor has said that I'll need to go directly to Sheaffer for a spare. I hope they have something!

 

Regards,

Sandy

[vickiehof]

 

 

 

So far, one vendor has said that I'll need to go directly to Sheaffer for a spare. I hope they have something!

 

 

I found a website called www.nibs.com when I was searching for nibs.

[Ron Z]

Sheaffer has a service department in Ft, Madison, and has Targa nibs. 1-9-800-FINE PEN. They do take credit card.

[rsilver000]

With the melt price of gold hovering at $1200/oz, I wonder how much gold is in the nib? Probably enough not to toss the broken unit in the trash!

Rob

[Flounder]

Can't that crack in the section be repaired? It seems a shame to chuck it.

[Ron Z]

Given the way that the nib is assembled, and the stress in that area when you write, it might be possible to solvent weld it if you have the right solvent, and by that I don't mean Tenax or anything made by Testors. But even then I would not want to offer any warranty on the repair. The material is rather thin, and the stress as you press down on the nib, rather high.

[Sandy]

 

I found a website called www.nibs.com when I was searching for nibs.

 

I've tried them ... so far no reply. But see posting below ... I called Sheaffer USA.

 

Thanks.

[Sandy]

Sheaffer has a service department in Ft, Madison, and has Targa nibs. 1-9-800-FINE PEN. They do take credit card.

 

Based upon the helpful postings above (to identify the pen), I've called 800-FINE-PEN and purchased from them. I'll post the results when the nib arrives.

 

Thanks,

Sandy.

[demeter]

Help!

 

I use my pen everyday but now I've dropped my Sheaffer pen and have broken the nib.

 

Can anyone recommend where/how I can buy a replacement nib?

 

I don't even know the name of the model ... I've had it for maybe 25 years.

The nib is 14K gold plated (as is the case). The nib has markings "585" (I think. The writing is very small").

 

Any help would be very much appreciated!

 

- Sandy

 

PS: I'm in Toronto/Canada.

 

 

Sandy

 

If I remember correctly there is someone in Ontario that specialises in Sheaffers, in particular Targas. I cannot think of the fellow's name right now, and the bookmark is on my other computer, which I will not get to until Monday. In the meantime John Culmer at Peel Pen Shop might know, or SMG (Sean) here on FPN. He runs a repair service too: PenRx. Exceptionally nice fellow.

It is a start, anyway.

Andrew

 

 

Here is a photo of the pen with an inset showing the broken nib:

 

http://www.radha.com/sheaffer_1.jpg

[Sandy]

Can't that crack in the section be repaired? It seems a shame to chuck it.

 

I've ordered a new one. It was an opportunity to go to a thinner width.

 

Yeah, it's a shame. I never knew it was "solid 14kt". See my posting below. I'm quite good at fixing things so I'll try and recover the old nib.

 

Regards,

Sandy.

[Sandy]

Given the way that the nib is assembled, and the stress in that area when you write, it might be possible to solvent weld it if you have the right solvent, and by that I don't mean Tenax or anything made by Testors. But even then I would not want to offer any warranty on the repair. The material is rather thin, and the stress as you press down on the nib, rather high.

 

Ron,

 

The photo doesn't show that the pen fell on the nib and the prongs were splayed out at 90 degrees. I pushed the nib back to an "approximate" position for the photo.

 

It wouldn't be fair to the readers of the forum to see it in its original brokeness

 

 

My first goal is to restore the pen to 100%. After that, I may try to recover the nib (low priority). I can usually fix things if they are fixable, but in this case even if it can be fixed it might never be the same or feel the same. Thanks for tip on the solvent ... when I'm ready I'll research the forums for the best solvent. Worst case, I'll bundle with some old jewellery and sell to a gold-buyer.

 

On the positive side, the new nib is "fine" which I prefer to "medium". When I get the new nib, I'll post the costs, results ... and the experiences dealing with Sheaffer (Canada and US).

 

Regards,

Sandy.

[Sandy]

 

Sandy

 

If I remember correctly there is someone in Ontario that specialises in Sheaffers, in particular Targas. I cannot think of the fellow's name right now, and the bookmark is on my other computer, which I will not get to until Monday. In the meantime John Culmer at Peel Pen Shop might know, or SMG (Sean) here on FPN. He runs a repair service too: PenRx. Exceptionally nice fellow.

It is a start, anyway.

Andrew

 

 

Andrew,

 

Thanks for the response. Earlier in the day I ordered one from Sheaffer USA. Based upon the earlier responses and the website www.sheaffertarga.com I was able to precisely identify what was needed. I ordered from the first place that had it in stock ... because the pen is so old.

 

It is truly amazing how quickly the forums respond with help and tips.

 

Regards,

Sandy.

[Ron Z]

he photo doesn't show that the pen fell on the nib and the prongs were splayed out at 90 degrees. I pushed the nib back to an "approximate" position for the photo.

 

You'd be surprised if you saw some of the nibs that I've straightened out. The nib shown below had one tine bent to 90 degrees to the right, the other tine bent down in a U. A Targa might be a bit more difficult, but I've straightened them too.

 

http://mainstreetpens.com/pix/pilot.jpg

[Sandy]

The photo doesn't show that the pen fell on the nib and the prongs were splayed out at 90 degrees. I pushed the nib back to an "approximate" position for the photo.

 

You'd be surprised if you saw some of the nibs that I've straightened out. The nib shown below had one tine bent to 90 degrees to the right, the other tine bent down in a U. A Targa might be a bit more difficult, but I've straightened them too.

 

 

Hi Ron,

 

Well that sounds encouraging. I'd like to discuss having you to try and fix the nib and cracked casing. Once I get the replacement nib, I'll have plenty of time to wait for a fix to the old nib. I'll email you offline.

 

Regards,

Sandy.