Taking Apart A Montblanc 149 (And M1000) Piston

[StephenBrown]

Hello everyone,

 

I purchased a little wrench from the 'bay (seller t_e_s_t_o) that allows one to open up a Montblanc Meisterstück 149 piston and remove the feed (it's a two-sided tool; a 146-compatible version is also available). I couldn't get it to work on the feed, but I understand the feeds are shellacked/gooed into place anyway. My main issue was getting the piston out for some needed lubrication. For some reason, I didn't feel like paying a €60 flat rate for lubing my piston (that's not even the Amsterdam street price ), so I went for this tool.

 

Clearly, using a tool like this may influence one's warranty, but my pen is pre-owned and is not covered by a warranty anyway.

 

Then someone told me the TWSBI wrench can be used to remove the piston unit from a Pelikan M1000 (same warranty caveat applies, I assume).

 

I devoted a YouTube video to these two processes; I do not like to post links to my videos here, as that reeks of self-promotion, but I will make an exception in this case, as I know that many people out there would like to be able to take apart their Montblancs for basic maintenance. So, I hope posting this link here will be forgiven (by St. Nibbius and others):

 

[Earthdawn]

Watched the video last night....

 

Awesome

[dduran]

When I got my first TWSBI 540, was more excited for the wrench than the pen... hahaha! True story

This is one of the reasons why I prefer the M800/M1000 pens

[myn]

Thanks very much for posting the link Stephen. Much appreciated - great video and I loved the music lead-in.

[Miadhawk]

Thanks for posting, mind sharing the seller?

[StephenBrown]

I already did :-): t_e_s_t_o.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

Generally, the feed, (the thing with all the fins) is never shellacked or ever glued into place. I've repaired hundreds if not thousands of pens, and I have yet to see one that was glued. They are usually friction fit and can be quite tight. Some pens, especially those with hooded or shrouded nibs, have the feeds held inside of an assembly that usually screws apart.

 

Dillon

[StephenBrown]

Hi,

 

Generally, the feed, (the thing with all the fins) is never shellacked or ever glued into place. I've repaired hundreds if not thousands of pens, and I have yet to see one that was glued. They are usually friction fit and can be quite tight. Some pens, especially those with hooded or shrouded nibs, have the feeds held inside of an assembly that usually screws apart.

 

Dillon

 

What I understood is that Montblanc uses a type of gooey stuff to keep the nib and feed in place, which allows MB to see whether a user has tampered with the nib and feed setting. I also know that MB charges more when "user repairs" have been undertaken, so I have no problems believing this story. Fact is: my 149 nib and feed cannot be separated from the section - period; I have tried every option. However, on my 146, the nib and feed are friction-fit, as you point out. I wonder whether MB does something to its flagship pens!

[hari317]

 

What I understood is that Montblanc uses a type of gooey stuff to keep the nib and feed in place, which allows MB to see whether a user has tampered with the nib and feed setting. I also know that MB charges more when "user repairs" have been undertaken, so I have no problems believing this story. Fact is: my 149 nib and feed cannot be separated from the section - period; I have tried every option. However, on my 146, the nib and feed are friction-fit, as you point out. I wonder whether MB does something to its flagship pens!

On a stock MB pen, there is no sealant or glue holding the nib and feed in place. This is true for the 149 as well. The nib and feed are friction fit into a sleeve called the "case feeder". The case feeder in turn screws into the section, like many other pens. The threaded joint of the case feeder and section used to be sealed with the pink "bubble gum" sealant. The very latest MBs don't use the sealant anymore, case feeder design has been changed.

 

Some pics of bubble gum sealant.link

 

To remove nib and feed, leave the case feeder alone. Remove the filler assembly from the rear, introuduce a long drift from the open rear and punch the nib and feed out using a nib knock out block. carefully. Take care and make sure that the drift/punch is contacting the feed back side directly, NOT the feed end stop tab molded on the case feeder. Good luck!

[StephenBrown]

That may be the explanation: my 149 is pre-owned! Anyway, I shall try to knock the nib and feed out from behind - that makes a lot of sense, and is probbaly the only thing I haven't tried yet . Thanks for the suggestion: I'll let you know how things turn out!

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

You should be careful because if you aren't you can break the feeder case. Why exactly do you want to take your 149 apart? It may not be necessary. The sealant surround the feeder case as Hari said, and does not contact the nib or feed.

 

Dillon

[prebenb]

Hi! Great video. I was just wondering: I have an old M1000 that I got from my father, which is in need of a repair. It has a pretty bad crack on the cap, and it seems like the back-cover for the piston screw mechanism is "off" (might not be the right description, but I'm not very well versed when it comes to fountain pen technicalities).

 

When I try to tighten the piston screw, it won't close the gap seen in the photo. Any ideas on how to fix this?

 

I will take it for a repair eventually, but would like to use it in the mean time.

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61538635/M1000_piston_screw.jpg

 

This is a relatively old pen, but I'm not sure exactly when it's from. All I know is that the logo is different than that of the new M1000 - see photo below

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61538635/M1000_cap.jpg

[hari317]

Hi! Great video. I was just wondering: I have an old M1000 that I got from my father, which is in need of a repair. It has a pretty bad crack on the cap, and it seems like the back-cover for the piston screw mechanism is "off" (might not be the right description, but I'm not very well versed when it comes to fountain pen technicalities).

 

When I try to tighten the piston screw, it won't close the gap seen in the photo. Any ideas on how to fix this?

 

I will take it for a repair eventually, but would like to use it in the mean time.

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61538635/M1000_piston_screw.jpg

 

This is a relatively old pen, but I'm not sure exactly when it's from. All I know is that the logo is different than that of the new M1000 - see photo below

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61538635/M1000_cap.jpg

 

Your pen is an old M800. Your piston mechanism is either incorrectly assembled or something is broken or stuck inside. Make yourself a 7mm thin spanner and unscrew the filler unit. The filler unit has LEFT HAND threads.

[prebenb]

Thank you for the quick response. I apologize for the mislabeling on my part - again, I'm fairly new to fountain pens.

 

Piston mechanism is probably just incorrectly assembled (I'm fully able to remove the piston without a problem). After unscrewing the filler unit, I'm still not able to correctly assemble the pen. Any ideas?

[prebenb]

I managed to properly assemble (as far as I can tell) the M800, and will take it for service when I have time. Thanks for help identifying this pen.

 

Also, apologies for running this thread off-topic

[hari317]

I managed to properly assemble (as far as I can tell) the M800, and will take it for service when I have time. Thanks for help identifying this pen.

 

Also, apologies for running this thread off-topic

Congratulations, if the pen works fine now, no need to get it serviced.

[dallasjarrell]

Hello everyone,

 

I purchased a little wrench from the 'bay (seller t_e_s_t_o) that allows one to open up a Montblanc Meisterstück 149 piston and remove the feed (it's a two-sided tool; a 146-compatible version is also available). I couldn't get it to work on the feed, but I understand the feeds are shellacked/gooed into place anyway. My main issue was getting the piston out for some needed lubrication. For some reason, I didn't feel like paying a €60 flat rate for lubing my piston (that's not even the Amsterdam street price ), so I went for this tool.

 

Clearly, using a tool like this may influence one's warranty, but my pen is pre-owned and is not covered by a warranty anyway.

 

Then someone told me the TWSBI wrench can be used to remove the piston unit from a Pelikan M1000 (same warranty caveat applies, I assume).

 

I devoted a YouTube video to these two processes; I do not like to post links to my videos here, as that reeks of self-promotion, but I will make an exception in this case, as I know that many people out there would like to be able to take apart their Montblancs for basic maintenance. So, I hope posting this link here will be forgiven (by St. Nibbius and others):

 

 

I purchased the same tool for 149 from the same seller on Ebay, but returned it as the two nails stood on the edges are too short to convey power, in essence, it wont work well in my case.

It also be noted that metal of the tool is so sharply cut that 149 is easily be hurt once it touched the nib.

[PenFan2012]

I found this tool for sale on Ebay:

 

Description: Montblanc Meisterstuck 146 & 149 Fountain Pen Piston Removal and Service Tool

 

Current Link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161470738969?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Or search seller 'jennywrenauctions'. I have attached the photos from the original listing.

 

Hope you find this information useful

[remaker]

This tool looks similar to the one sold by Auspens (T151 $45 AUS): http://www.auspens.com/parts_and_tools_tools.html

 

http://www.auspens.com/images/T151.jpg

 

I wonder....