Nib Removal With Shut-Off Mechansism

[TopPens]

I have a Wahl Doric, vacuum fill that has an adjustable nib I'd like to remove from the section. The problem is that the section has a ink shut-off mechanism that's part of the feed/nib which doesn't look friendly to knocking out the nib from the back as typical. Any advice in this area is appreciated.

[Ron Z]

The nib assembly should unscrew from the section.

[TopPens]

How do I remove the nib from the nib assembly? The shut-off lever blocks from pushing through the back.

Edited October 20, 2011 by TopPens

[Wahlnut]

As you noticed the shut off type section is different and should not be knocked out. The collared feed and nib must first be removed so you can remove the spring. Careful... the spring is very tiny and often shoots across the room is released improperly and it is a bear to find once it is launched! After that spring is removed replace the collared assembly back in the section before further attempts to remove. You see the spring acts like a lock and will block the nib and feed from being removed if it has not been removed first. If you did attempt to knock the nib and feed out without this step you will break the collar for sure. replacing the whole assembly once apart is also a delicate matter. This is all old hat to those who do this everyday, but it can lead to ruination of the front end of such a pen if done wrong or in the worn order. This is somewhat advanced stuff and not recommended for a first second or third timer.

Syd

[TopPens]

Thanks for the information.

[daynix]

As you noticed the shut off type section is different and should not be knocked out. The collared feed and nib must first be removed so you can remove the spring. Careful... the spring is very tiny and often shoots across the room is released improperly and it is a bear to find once it is launched! After that spring is removed replace the collared assembly back in the section before further attempts to remove. You see the spring acts like a lock and will block the nib and feed from being removed if it has not been removed first. If you did attempt to knock the nib and feed out without this step you will break the collar for sure. replacing the whole assembly once apart is also a delicate matter. This is all old hat to those who do this everyday, but it can lead to ruination of the front end of such a pen if done wrong or in the worn order. This is somewhat advanced stuff and not recommended for a first second or third timer.

Syd

I wish I'd seen this post a while back. One pen repair book states that the nib can be pushed out in the same way as other nibs - I destroyed a collar C'est la vie!!

[Wahlnut]

Sorry to hear it. Years ago, I learned that lesson the hard way too. Amazing how inaccurate most of the repair manuals are! I have read some amazing instructions in even the most authoritative manuals, that from experience I know are wrong. The factory repair manuals are the most reliable, but I guess when an author today wants to write a compendium of pen repair covering a multitude of pen makers and pen designs, these inaccuracies are an unfortunate inevitability. I just finished re-doing one of the plunger fill, shut off valve Doric pens this morning and there are so many steps to doing it right that are not rocket science, but must be followed in a pattern to not hurt anything, but these steps are not in the manuals. For example,to do what you were trying to do, I find it necessary to uninstall, reinstall then uninstall the collared nib and feed on the dis-assembly and then install and uninstall and reinstall the collared nib and feed into the section on re-assembly to do all the steps safely. Even re-inserting the nib and feed and shut off bar back into the collar after cleaning, should be done using the section as a reinforcing holder of the collar so as not to break the collar when the nib and feed are stuffed back in. And then uninstall the collared nib and feed in order to re-install the spring. If you do one of these every week, you never forget, but if you do one a month or one a year...well you get the idea. This is why specialization in repair can be important, and selecting a repairer, with the right specialization and parts to support such repair is so important.

 

Syd

Edited November 5, 2011 by Wahlnut

[daynix]

Sorry to hear it. Years ago, I learned that lesson the hard way too. Amazing how inaccurate most of the repair manuals are! I have read some amazing instructions in even the most authoritative manuals, that from experience I know are wrong. The factory repair manuals are the most reliable, but I guess when an author today wants to write a compendium of pen repair covering a multitude of pen makers and pen designs, these inaccuracies are an unfortunate inevitability. I just finished re-doing one of the plunger fill, shut off valve Doric pens this morning and there are so many steps to doing it right that are not rocket science, but must be followed in a pattern to not hurt anything, but these steps are not in the manuals. For example,to do what you were trying to do, I find it necessary to uninstall, reinstall then uninstall the collared nib and feed on the dis-assembly and then install and uninstall and reinstall the collared nib and feed into the section on re-assembly to do all the steps safely. Even re-inserting the nib and feed and shut off bar back into the collar after cleaning, should be done using the section as a reinforcing holder of the collar so as not to break the collar when the nib and feed are stuffed back in. And then uninstall the collared nib and feed in order to re-install the spring. If you do one of these every week, you never forget, but if you do one a month or one a year...well you get the idea. This is why specialization in repair can be important, and selecting a repairer, with the right specialization and parts to support such repair is so important.

 

Syd

 

Expertise in these vintage pens is indispensable! Parts are so hard to come by. Better not to break them in the first place.