Tool Porn

[algabatz]

Since one of you forum-dwellers had the good taste to ask me to show some of my tools, I saw my chance to dazzle you. Nuthin' a collector likes more than showing off his stuff. A lot of these tools came in a box from Parker that I bought a few years back, and I've shown some of them tools in this forum before, but I don't care, now that I have my chance to do it again. Some additions in here too.

 

Not to spoil the good stuff I'm starting out with some modern "ordinary" tools that I use when repairing my pens. The Bionic wrench is an excellent tool that I use all the time, and the rubber covered poly-grip is also very useful. I mostly use the bulb to clean out Parker "61" capillary fillers. It's the kind photographers used to blow dirt from negatives in the good old analogue days.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8298.jpg

 

 

Here are some medical tools, I use the dentists clamps when gluing (don't know what they're called but they are used around teeth). And dental picks is of course essential when working on a pen, at least sac-pens. The strange looking at the top thing is an otoscope, used by physicians to check ear-canals. It has an internal led-light and a loupe and is excellent when checking the insides of pens.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8296.jpg

 

 

These are really tools for watch-repair. The screwdriver has six different (and very small) bits inside. The clamp-thingy is an excellent extra hand and the tweezers are extra-extra fine and of very good quality.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8295.jpg

 

 

 

This is a straight shank collet chuck that I use to fasten loose cap bands, I know what the process is called but I don't remember the word right now. The even pressure makes it virtually impossible to crack the cap, but the cap band can wobble if one's not careful.

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8292.jpg

Ok, here are some recent tools custom made for pen repair. This one's a copy of a Parker sac tool, works very well. Made it myself.

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8279.jpg

 

Not very exciting, you say? Well how about a Vacumatic pellet insertion tool from Woodbin?

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8281.jpg

 

 

Oh, you've seen those before? How about these fantastic tools, made by David Armstrong. Vacumatic thread chasers and a clip screw tool? Cool, huh? The poorly made metal thing I made myself, though, it is used to unscrew the insides of a Parker "65".

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8288.jpg

 

 

Another guy who makes cool tools is Ariel Kullock, he made this ball point arbor.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8283.jpg

 

 

He also made the Parker "61" cap arbor on the left. And now we're getting closer to the goodies. The one to the right is a genuine Parker "51" arbor, note the difference in size. They are used to hold the caps steady while unscrewing the clips. Should have cleaned them first

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8285.jpg

 

 

The rest of the tools shown below were are all made by Parker. Here's a small hand drill, made to get the lead out of pencils and to open clogged breather holes.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8246.jpg

 

 

 

Here's a special brush that has a leather polishing strip at the back to be used with Hubert Rouge polishing stone (Herbert?)

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8251.jpg

 

 

This ugly thing is used to clean between the tines of the gold nibs and also the ink channels.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8254.jpg

 

 

A pick. I mostly use it to clean threads and to apply glue.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8257.jpg

 

 

 

Small and long-nosed pliers used to set nibs.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8243.jpg

 

 

I bought this one last week. It's a pair of parallel pliers that was sold to me by Dale Beebe at pentooling.com, who bought it from an old Parker employee. It's used to set the nib/feed into the section.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8233.jpg

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8235.jpg

 

 

 

This is a tool made to rotate the feed inside a Parker "51" section, to get it aligned with the section "lip".

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8245.jpg

 

 

This is a fantastic tool. It was first made to remove Vacumatic fillers. This one has several collets that fits everything from the vac filler to aerometrics to 1960's Parker "61s" and the UK Duofolds. Great tool. Only downside is that the lever is too thin and hurts my hand, hence the added rubber.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8250.jpg

 

 

Here's another new addition from Dale Beebe, a 1947-48 knock-out block, complete with the steel pin. Awesome. Left hole is for JR and SR Vacumatics and Duofolds, Middle one for a Parker VS and the right one for a Lady sized pens. It's made from a thick steel plate on a drilled piece of hardwood.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8260.jpg

 

 

There should be a piece of rubber in this hole, which is used to unscrew jewels. The little notch is for removing the button on the button fillers.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8265.jpg

 

 

Here's a newer version. The middle hole with a ridge was made for inserting the section of a Parker "21" into the filler. This one doesn't have the notch nor the jewel remover.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8267.jpg

 

The rubber jewel remover was first found of this beauty from the 1930's, the famed vacumatic fitting block. I got this from Woodbin too. Some copies have been made, they don't have the jewel remover though.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8274.jpg

 

 

It's a true multi-tool that I use all the time. There are two threaded holes for removal of both standard and oversize style Vacumatic fillers. The knock-out pin also has a hole in it because the earliest Vacumatics had a one-piece section/body. So the pin could be put over the breather tube and the feed/nib knocked out all the way from the back of the pen.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8276.jpg

 

 

Hence it was also a knock-out block. It also had the button filler notch.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8273.jpg

 

 

But the coolest thing is the Vacumatic nib-fitter, for Slender, Standard and Oversized pens. You hold the nib/feed down and with one push you get the nib set just right into the section. Works very well, I use it all the time.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8271.jpg

 

 

Here's another original tool to die for, a nib tool with tapered grooves used to flatten and set gold nibs. Not only does it work very well, it's also very beautiful in my opinion. And being of solid steel its also heavy. I like heavy.

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8304.jpg

 

 

And, lastly, my latest aquisition from the 'Bay, a brass nib-gauge, used to determine how far from the section the nibs should protrude for optimal function. I have an old manual that describes which pens go where. Golden, isn't it?

Thanks for looking, I hope you found something of interest. And... if you have some old Parker tools for sale, give me a holler!

Comments and virtual whistles are welcome.

 

 

/Tony

 

http://parkercollector.com/bilder/toolshow/IMG_8237.jpg

 

Edited April 5, 2011 by algabatz

[sirksael]

All I can say is wow...

[rockspyder]

Wow, wow, WOW!!!

 

Very impressive, and very educational. Thanks!

[mateo44]

Super interesting.

[Ghost Writer]

very impressive ! Thank you for sharing this wonderful collection of fabulous tools.

[SinkOrSwim]

That all-in-one multi tool is awesome, where did you get it from?

[zeyherb]

That is a nice set of tools, thanks for sharing.

[rollerboy]

Snort. Like I'm going to be impressed. The guy doesn't even have a hammer.

[Pen Is Mightier]

That is quite a collection of tools, I truly envy them. I am glad they are actually getting use and not just sitting around!

[pelman]

I have some interest in repairing pens but these just make me want to get my hands dirty :embarrassed_smile:

 

Thank you for sharing.

[algabatz]

That all-in-one multi tool is awesome, where did you get it from?

 

If you mean the vacumatic block I got it from Woodbin in Canada. Not cheap but well worth the money.

 

/T

[Shangas]

The thread title led me to expect something very different.

 

...luckily, that was not the case.

[rroossinck]

Snort. Like I'm going to be impressed. The guy doesn't even have a hammer.

Bwahahahahaha! Hilarious!

 

Great collection of toys, Tony. Wish I had a few of those (more than a few, actually).

[Markthetruck]

Tony, you are a self indulgent little boy. And I am soooo envious!!

[Pepin]

So most clips are held to the cap by the pressure from the internal cap cylindrical insert against the clip's foot? What do you call the tool that removes this cylindrical insert? I love tools. Thanks for sharing your great collection.

Edited April 27, 2011 by Pepin

[lallin]

So most clips are held to the cap by the pressure from the internal cap cylindrical insert against the clip's foot? What do you call the tool that removes this cylindrical insert? I love tools. Thanks for sharing your great collection.

 

It's called an inner-cap puller. About $120 from Woodbin.

[eckiethump]

My recent acquisition from Peter Twydle at the Northern Pen Show in Lytham St Annes.

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/eckiefump/Parkertoolbox1.jpg

Complete with a good selection of original tools

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/eckiefump/Parkertoolbox.jpg

et

[algabatz]

My recent acquisition from Peter Twydle at the Northern Pen Show in Lytham St Annes.

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/eckiefump/Parkertoolbox1.jpg

Complete with a good selection of original tools

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/eckiefump/Parkertoolbox.jpg

et

 

Very nice! It's exactly like mine. Interesting to see that the inner lid clamps are original. My box also had them, but I thought they were a later addition and removed them (still have them).

I would very much like to see the tools in close-up. What's that glass-looking thingy in the middle, fi?

 

/Tony

[Inka]

Thank you, thank you, thank you,....

Did I mention, "Thank you!"?

I know how long it takes to post a thread like this, a lot of hard work.

Thanks for sharing the shots of some really amazing and really cool tools.

Not only entertaining but very educational too, can't get much better than that.

Thank you!

[DavidHandmade]

Wow - !

 

This is a great post - and very educational.

 

I had no idea of the multitude of specialized tools that were designed and used exclusively for Fountain Pens.

 

- makes me think of the status once held by the Fountain Pen and the dedication of the Industry.

 

- and it's always great to see custom-made and Classic tools.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

- David.