Lamy 2000 Nib Change Question

[FPaddict]

How difficult is it to swap out nib units ? I ask because I am getting one in and I checked on ordering another nib unit from Filofax. They require the pen to come back and will reinstall the nib, sending the original back so as not to void the warranty and to prevent pen damage from the user trying to do this by himself.

[Penman222]

One simply unscrews the metal hood from the barrel, removes the feed, and slides off the old nib with a piece of scotch tape. Reverse the procedure and the nib is changed. Pretty basic if one is comfortable working with fountain pens, probably less so for a first-time at-home repairman.

 

Filofax has outstanding service with a super quick repair turnaround time so don't hesitate to use their service.

Edited December 30, 2011 by bhbarto

[FPaddict]

What is the function of the scotch tape ?

[Penman222]

You put a strip of scotch tape across the top of the nib and pull the nub off the feed using the tape. The nib is actually quite small for a large pen and the tape enables you to get a good grip on the nib without damaging it.

 

The same technique works well on the Lamy Safari line as well.

[1point1mm]

You put a strip of scotch tape across the top of the nib and pull the nub off the feed using the tape. The nib is actually quite small for a large pen and the tape enables you to get a good grip on the nib without damaging it.

 

The same technique works well on the Lamy Safari line as well.

Here's a "visual" demonstration of it:

 

 

[subbes]

OP is talking about the LAMY 2000, which does not allow for this.

[1point1mm]

OP is talking about the LAMY 2000, which does not allow for this.

Truly indeed. Then the OP asks about "the function of the Scotch Tape." Hence the two responses.

[Penman222]

You put a strip of scotch tape across the top of the nib and pull the nub off the feed using the tape. The nib is actually quite small for a large pen and the tape enables you to get a good grip on the nib without damaging it.

 

The same technique works well on the Lamy Safari line as well.

Here's a "visual" demonstration of it:

 

 

 

This works fine when the feed is first removed as I stated in my initial post. Thanks for posting the video examples.

[FPaddict]

How is the nib changed on a Lamy 2000 as the nib section appears different than the Safari/Vista?

[Edgar Allan Bo]

You have to screw out the front section and take the feed out from the inside, then take the nib from the feed (with or without scotch tape, just pull it off the feed)

 

Also you have to be carefull about the additional rubber ring and the metal ring with the ears:

 

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/2199/lamylt7.jpg

Edited December 31, 2011 by Edgar Allan Bo

[1point1mm]

Good illustration E.A.B.! Now I wonder if someone's going to post a "video" of how to do it since none can be found as of yet.

[watch_art]

Just push the nib with your finger and the whole nib and feed will pop out of the section.

[FPaddict]

Thank you all very much !!

[MCWB]

When you put the nib and feed back into the section, make sure the nib is correctly oriented, otherwise it will jam in the section. Other than that, it's pretty easy!

[beluga]

You have to screw out the front section and take the feed out from the inside, then take the nib from the feed (with or without scotch tape, just pull it off the feed)

 

Also you have to be carefull about the additional rubber ring and the metal ring with the ears:

 

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/2199/lamylt7.jpg

 

 

Well, there you have it; it appears quite simple, but do allow me a word of advice:

The Lamy 2000 has a reputation for cracked barrels and leaking grip sections, although none of my six 2000's ever developed either one.

I discussed this a while ago with an extremely helpful contact that I have in Lamy and she hinted that cracked barrels and similar damage may often be related to misguided DIY nib changes.

 

For example; as you may have already noticed, one of the first suggestions the Original Poster (OP) got and that had me puzzled was a misguided suggestion that could have resulted in permanent damage to the pen.

 

The Lamy 2000 is a 1960's design and bears some of the hallmarks of that period, like a semi-hooded nib, huge ink reservoir and relatively small nib with a pronounced sweet point.

 

Edgar Allen Bo's illustration perfectly shows how to do it, but proper care is needed during the reassembly.

The metal ring with the small stubs (top right of the picture) has to fit perfectly and avoid excessive force when screwing the grip section together.

A misaligned ring or too much force may set up the pen for cracks that may not show right-away, but may spoil your fun with this excellent writer later.

 

Swapping nibs on a regular basis on a Lamy 2000 does not strike me as a good idea, but with sufficient care it should be easy to install a replacement nib without any negative effects.

 

 

As far as the often debated "ears" go that hold the cap into place; I quite like them for a simple reason:

The Lamy 2000 has a pronounced sweet spot , which makes it more important how you hold the pen when writing and at what angle the nib touches the paper than newer designs. And these two little metal stubs help me instinctively find this ideal position.

Edited December 31, 2011 by beluga

[watch_art]

I don't know about sweet spots - the pens I had wrote just as well as any other pen I had - but you're dead on about not screwing the barrel on too tight.

 

Would you say a good rule of thumb it to get it juuuuust closed, to where you can BARELY see a little gap between barrel and section, and then just slowly slowly twist until the gap is gone? THat would be enough right? No need to torque it down.

[beluga]

I don't know about sweet spots - the pens I had wrote just as well as any other pen I had - but you're dead on about not screwing the barrel on too tight.

 

Would you say a good rule of thumb it to get it juuuuust closed, to where you can BARELY see a little gap between barrel and section, and then just slowly slowly twist until the gap is gone? THat would be enough right? No need to torque it down.

 

 

Sweet Spot; most contemporary designs have a rounded nib tip that makes it less important how you hold the pen.

This practice is now so common that Lamy stopped producing KM ("K" for Kugel that is to say "ball tipped") Medium nibs a few years back, as there was so little difference between the KM and contemporary M nibs.

 

By contrast, the Lamy 2000 uses an older nib design and if you twist the pen a few degrees either side when holding the pen the lines and feel of the pen vary considerably.

As I said; quite uncommon nowadays.

 

 

Regarding the reassembly of the Lamy 2000; make sure the metal ring with the ears is properly seated and slowly screw the grip section together; don't clamp it with your fist; the typical force of thumb, index and middle finger is plenty enough.

Edited December 31, 2011 by beluga

[Edgar Allan Bo]

I never tried it when I had both pens, but aren't the LAMY 2000 nibs interchangeable with nibs from LAMY 27 and 99 models!?!

 

(also I think early 27 / 99 models had very different nibs from the later ones, and those later ones should have the same nib design like on the LAMY 2000!?!)

Edited December 31, 2011 by Edgar Allan Bo

[beluga]

I never tried it when I had both pens, but aren't the LAMY 2000 nibs interchangeable with nibs from LAMY 27 and 99 models!?!

 

(also I think early 27 / 99 models had very different nibs from the later ones, and those later ones should have the same nib design like on the LAMY 2000!?!)

 

 

The nibs on the 27 and 99 models that I have look interchangeable to me and I am fairly certain that they could be substituted for Lamy 2000 nibs, or vice versa.

Unfortunately, most of my early Lamys 27 and 99 have F or MK nibs and I prefer today a somewhat bolder stroke, so the question of trying to fit them onto a Lamy 2000 never arose.

[watch_art]

Yes. I bought a B from a 27 a while back and fit it right in on my old 2000.