Sheaffer Balance Section Removal

[BamaPen]

I have a Sheaffer Balance, lever fill version, with an ink view section. I have tried heat and soaking repeatedly in an effort to remove the section, but so far have not gotten any movement at all. I know that the section on the vac-fil pens screw into the barrel, but I am wondering if any of the lever fill sections happen to screw in as well? Or does anyone have a suggestion on how to persuade this section to come out so I can replace the ink sac?

 

Thanks,

BamaPen

[PDW]

I've worked on three of these pens. I asked a similar question on FPN and was told that Sheaffer shellaced visuated sections into the barrels, and looking at them once I'd got them open suggests that this is true for mine.

 

In each case I used heat, gentle rocking and patience, and eventually got the shellac to give up. ISTR that in one case only section pliers were needed.

 

BTW the advice was also that Sheaffer said to shellac the section in again after resacing. I haven't done this, and hanve't had any problems (yet) - the sections fit well, even after removing the remains of the old shellac.

Edited July 26, 2011 by PDW

[Ron Z]

BTW the advice was also that Sheaffer said to shellac the section in again after resacing. I haven't done this, and haven't had any problems (yet) - the sections fit well, even after removing the remains of the old shellac.

 

You will. It's not uncommon to find one in which the section seems to be snug, but shifts as you write. Very annoying, and the way to prevent it is to use shellac on the section. You don't have to slather it on all of the way around, a bit part way is often enough.

 

But your approach to removing the section is about right. Don't overheat and crank it though, because the barrel can shear off. Patience is the key.

[PDW]

 

You will. It's not uncommon to find one in which the section seems to be snug, but shifts as you write. Very annoying, and the way to prevent it is to use shellac on the section. You don't have to slather it on all of the way around, a bit part way is often enough.

 

But your approach to removing the section is about right. Don't overheat and crank it though, because the barrel can shear off. Patience is the key.

 

Hhhmm. I've just tried two of them which were within grabbing distance, and the sections seem just as tight on the barrels as any other pens I have. Both needed warming of the barrel to get the sections back in safely, and now feel solid. Do you advise that I disassemble and shellac the sections in?

[Ron Z]

If it doesn't shift, you don't need to open the pen again. But just keep it in mind when you work on celluloid pens. The fit will vary from pen to pen, and often if you swap one section for another, so you may need to use shellac to secure a section.

 

I tend to be a bit more particular than the person who repairs pens for themselves because I want to avoid the need for warranty repairs if at all possible.

[PDW]

I tend to be a bit more particular than the person who repairs pens for themselves because I want to avoid the need for warranty repairs if at all possible.

 

I think you've just defined the term 'professional'

[BamaPen]

Thank you all for the good advice. I'll keep on heating and gently pulling until the shellac decides to surrender. That's what I guessed the answer would be, but it's nice to know that I'm doing the right thing.

 

John

[BamaPen]

OK, I went back and tried heat and gently pulling over and over again for about 15 minutes, keeping the pen somewhere between warm and hot all the time. Eventually I felt a tiny movement, used more heat, and more movement, finally it began to come on out and I was successful. I might have given up if not for the advice here. Thanks to all!

 

Here's the pen just after I removed the section. Just look at that decrepit ink sac!

 

Edited July 27, 2011 by BamaPen

[PDW]

Forget the sac - look at the beautiful colours

 

Hope you enjoy using it!

[ticoun]

lucky you! the visulated section is still clear! most of those we see are dark amber.

[BamaPen]

After I cleaned the inside of the visualated section, it is even clearer. No picture yet, but I've inked it and it is quite functional.

[swordofthedove]

Thanks for the thread. Its only my second restoration, and I got stuck with a shellaced section. This thread gave me the patience to continue, and 5 mins of hairdrying later, it was out!

[Attreyoo]

Hi.

 

I have Sheaffer Balance Lifetime as yours but in green stripped version. It need a in depth cleaning including realigning the feed and nib. I don't know how to disassembly the nib from it. Anyone able to help?

Paul

[gweimer1]

OK, I went back and tried heat and gently pulling over and over again for about 15 minutes, keeping the pen somewhere between warm and hot all the time. Eventually I felt a tiny movement, used more heat, and more movement, finally it began to come on out and I was successful. I might have given up if not for the advice here. Thanks to all!

 

Here's the pen just after I removed the section. Just look at that decrepit ink sac!

 

 

Nice going! I have a pair of Sheaffer pens, including a Secretary, with the same struggle. I've been going back to them every couple of weeks, but these two are really in tight. I may have to outsource these to Job....