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Another D I Y 149 Repair Pictorial


Paul Raposo

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Hey all.

 

Back in August 2011 I stated this thread asking if it was possible to repair a 149 myself:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/221142-d-i-y-repair-on-a-149/

 

I'm happy to know it's helped others over the years and I've come back to it myself several times as well.

 

Well, the week of October 13th was a good one for me when it came to acquiring new Mont Blanc products.

 

On Tuesday the 14th I visited an antique mall that I usually avoid and found a great item which I'll talk about later.

 

On Saturday the 18th I had some time to kill so started perusing Kijiji for MB stuff. The first advert I saw was from a seller in Oshawa with two 149s for sale :yikes:

 

After checking the pictures I contacted the seller who promptly sent a few more pics, and we arranged a meeting. Fortunately he was in Whitby, so instead of driving two hours each way, I'd only be driving 1 hour and 45 minutes :rolleyes:

 

The seller was a pleasant fellow and we chatted as I inspected the pens. One of those pens was a near mint 1990 to 1995 149 with a two-tone nib, brass filler and first generation plastic feed. I'll be posting some pics of that pen later as well.

 

The other pen was a bit rougher. The nib is an 18C from the 1960s. It had been sent to Koor-i-Noor Canada back in the early 1980s for servicing, so the one piece barrel was replaced with a two piece plastic threads barrel. Koor-i-Noor Stylographic was the distributor for MB products back then.

 

The nib sadly had lost all it's platinum masking, and had three shallow dents. The piston spindle had been twisted in two. Otherwise the pen was fine ;)

 

I paid the seller his asking price--$350 for both pens--and started my drive home, not knowing how I would replace the spindle.

 

After searching ebay and online for parts, I stumbled onto a website owned by Roger Wolfe called Custom Pen Parts.

 

You all may remember Roger's site, which was mentioned on FPN by Rowbo in this thread started by Francis:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/255063-modern-montblancs-weak-piston-lead-screw/

 

Roger has manufactured MB style helix/lead/spindle screws that match MBs OEM products perfectly.

 

http://www.custompenparts.co.uk/mont-blanc/73-helix-rod-for-piston-filler.html

 

Not believing my luck I placed an order and after getting some help from Roger the parts were shipped.

 

They arrived today! I sadly did not have an original MB spindle to compare, but I immediately saw the high quality of Rogers work and indeed his product matches MB's in every way save one--you can buy Roger's parts :)

 

Here is Rogers manufactured helix screw:

 

http://s28.postimg.org/m1e9tglzx/149_003.jpg

 

And fit into the piston, it turns smoothly as if it were an original MB part:

 

http://s28.postimg.org/5ro3qkbbx/149_007.jpg

The original spindle had broken deep inside the blind cap. I spent two hours trying to remove the spindle head, with about a hour of that time just looking at the blind cap trying to figure out how to get the c-ring out.

 

Pliers didn't work as there wasn't enough spindle left to get a grip on.

 

I eventually decided to use the smallest drill bit I have to drill a hole by hand between the c-ring and spindle head. The head being plastic gave way easily and I was able to insert my homemade tool into the hole and hook it underneath the c-ring.

 

It was a paperclip with a tiny L bent into one end. This L hooked under the c-ring and using pliers I pulled the paper clip out and popped the c-ring out of its groove.

 

http://s28.postimg.org/i6k2idhlp/149_025.jpg

I'm happy to say it worked very well, with only a few scratches to the inside of the blind cap.

 

http://s28.postimg.org/6manclj6l/149_004.jpg

This is the remnants of the old spindle next to Rogers manufactured spindle:

 

http://s28.postimg.org/fgaql6kwt/149_024.jpg

I pulled out my trusty ol' ballpoint barrel that some of you may remember from a couple years back, and proceeded to insert the new spindle, the c-ring into the blind cap.

 

http://s28.postimg.org/r7ktqrbdp/149_005.jpg

All went as well as the last time I did this, and the loud and satisfying snap of the c-ring being set into it's groove was great.

 

http://s28.postimg.org/yer40dbod/149_006.jpg

The piston assembled:

 

http://s28.postimg.org/cps7wi9gd/149_008.jpg

http://s28.postimg.org/m3y5gapnh/149_009.jpg

 

Next I cleaned the cap and assembled it. I was having trouble getting the plastic gasket and screw into the cap together

 

http://s28.postimg.org/6jqrprfj1/149_010.jpg

So I decided to shish-kabob the gasket onto a skewer and slide it into the cap and pull the skewer out the top, then I just dropped the screw inside the cap, replaced the original clip and screwed everything back together:

 

http://s28.postimg.org/gv34if78d/149_011.jpg

http://s28.postimg.org/48spll4rh/149_012.jpg

Next I cleaned the barrel and screwed in the piston. I used a tool first suggested by FPN member Florence back in July 2011:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/200655-the-cheapest-tool-to-untwist-a-montblanc/

 

WARNING: Do not attempt this unless you're sure about your abilities and you're working on your own pen!

 

http://s28.postimg.org/8klwoc125/149_013.jpg

 

Using a tip from Hari about keeping the blind cap turned down, I got the piston screwed in without harming the plastic threads:

 

http://s28.postimg.org/yvgx0jot9/149_014.jpg

I had knocked out the nib and feed from the case feeder back on the 19th and gave it a good cleaning.

 

I removed the small dents, and most of the scratches that were just behind of the tipping material. I couldn't do anything about the missing platinum masking.

 

The seller stated he never damaged the nib, so if this is the work done by K-i-N Canada back in the 1980s, I understand now why MB took over it's own distribution and servicing. One shallow dent was on the left tine just on top of the breather hole, and the other two much smaller dents were what appeared to be plier marks.

 

I think the nib came out pretty good:

 

http://s28.postimg.org/n7mv5zzod/149_015.jpg

http://s28.postimg.org/69nuk5qal/149_016.jpg

http://s28.postimg.org/jzmz6p2sd/149_020.jpg

 

 

Here is the original one piece ebonite feed:

 

http://s28.postimg.org/xul9p5x7h/149_017.jpg

And this is where K-i-N put the nib/feed in upside down with the hole on the feed opposite the gap on the newer case feeder. I wanted to reposition the feed/nib but the nib had put a groove into the case feeder and I didn't want to try heating it to remove the groove. So I replaced it as it was:

 

http://s28.postimg.org/e4p77hl5p/149_018.jpg

 

I used silicone on the case feeder threads and assembled the barrel, section and feeder assembly:

 

http://s28.postimg.org/6sxj76731/149_022.jpg

http://s28.postimg.org/806vln7tp/149_021.jpg

 

And the completed pen, in it's original box:

 

http://s29.postimg.org/kwqbsgrjb/149_002.jpg

 

Well, much of what I posted here was gone over in the other thread. The difference is I've learned more from the experienced collectors and repairers here on FPN. Whereas with the first DIY repair I jumped in with both feet full of hope, this time around I had some confidence to go with my cockiness :blush:

 

Thank you to everyone here on FPN who has helped me over the years with servicing, information and to the MB board for getting me interested in what have become my favorite pens right along side Canadian made Parker Duofold button fillers from the 1920s and 1930s.

 

And an extra special thanks to Roger Wolfe for producing the helix screws. Your parts made servicing this pen so much easier :thumbup:

Edited by Paul Raposo

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

--William Makepeace Thackeray

 

Visit my blog to see the pens I have for sale

 

Paul's Pens

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Here are the pics of the other 149 I purchased, as well as the little something extra I found on the 14th.

 

Here are the two 149s together, with the serviced pen on top.

 

http://s29.postimg.org/bdgmz0413/149_003.jpg

And here is the 90-95 149 with the Stod mark on the two-tone nib. Glad I was able to add one of these to my collection.

 

http://s29.postimg.org/tqcmvtp47/149_004.jpg

Edited by Paul Raposo

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

--William Makepeace Thackeray

 

Visit my blog to see the pens I have for sale

 

Paul's Pens

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And this is what I found on the 14th.

I don't usually go into this particular antique mall as it's usually full of garage sale finds with antique store prices.

As per usual I found nothing and was about to leave until I decided to pop into a booth run by a lady I know.

I saw a familiar black leather with a white star emblem. My heart jumped as I thought it was a wallet and I've wanted a MB wallet for some time.

What I found was so much more!

A Mozart notepad with a Mozart ballpoint in the pen slot! After examining it to confirm it was authentic, I rushed to buy it. I'm ashamed to say what I paid, as it was so absurdly low.

 

http://s29.postimg.org/q0hlgo2nb/149_008.jpg

http://s29.postimg.org/lsmt7x17r/149_009.jpg

http://s29.postimg.org/ie4mrs5t3/149_010.jpg

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

--William Makepeace Thackeray

 

Visit my blog to see the pens I have for sale

 

Paul's Pens

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Well done Paul. I really enjoyed reading all about your repair. :)

And your bargain finds.

 

Thanks much Chrissy. Always good to hear from you :thumbup:

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

--William Makepeace Thackeray

 

Visit my blog to see the pens I have for sale

 

Paul's Pens

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Congratulations Paul Raposo !!! Excelent job you made with your pens. Fantastic notepad you found, enjoy them in good health.

Please excuse my poor english, but it is not my mothern language and maybe it is wrong my grammar. Any Suggestions are welcome.

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Wonderful that the little notepad and pen wound up with someone that appreciates it; enjoy!

Best regards,
Steve Surfaro
Fountain Pen Fun
Cities of the world (please visit my Facebook page for more albums)
Paris | Venezia

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Very informative and great pictures ! :)

A wise man once said    " the best revenge is wealth "   but a wiser man answered back    " the best revenge is happiness "

 

The true definition of madness - Doing the same thing everyday and expecting different results......

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Congratulations Paul Raposo !!! Excelent job you made with your pens. Fantastic notepad you found, enjoy them in good health.

 

Thank you Dr. Eriko :thumbup: The notepad surprised me since this lady tends to sell things at crazy high prices. I guess she thought it was a fake.

 

Wonderful that the little notepad and pen wound up with someone that appreciates it; enjoy!

 

Thanks much stevesurf. As I wrote I hoped it was a wallet but what I found was so much better :)

 

Very informative and great pictures ! :)

 

Thanks Pen Nut. Hopefully it can others with their own repairs like so many FPN members have helped me.

 

Very helpful and informative Paul, thanks!

 

Than you Hari. High praise coming from someone who has done much to help me with MB servicing and repairs :D

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

--William Makepeace Thackeray

 

Visit my blog to see the pens I have for sale

 

Paul's Pens

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Thought I'd post a writing sample, and an update.

 

I had to do a few adjustments to the nib and feed to get them working together well. Sadly I overheated the feed and while pressing the feed against the nib I managed to bend a few fins. I manged to straighten two, but the other cracked and is loose. I'm simultaneously angry and disappointed with myself, but considering the condition the nib/feed were in when I bought the pen I think all in all it's ok.

 

Here's a writing sample:

 

http://s8.postimg.org/g9hxdzhb9/149_014.jpg

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

--William Makepeace Thackeray

 

Visit my blog to see the pens I have for sale

 

Paul's Pens

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Great work, Paul. This will surely encourage more DIY'ers to have a go - particularly at replacing the spindle.

 

Could you please expand on your description of drilling the hole and hooking out the c-ring - I can't quite picture this. I'm not suggesting you take it all apart and photograph the process! Maybe a diagram would help.

 

Rowbo

You don't know what you need until you realise you haven't got it.

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Could you please expand on your description of drilling the hole and hooking out the c-ring

 

Thank you much Rowbo :thumbup: Next to Parker Duofold button fillers I think MBs are--for lack a better word--the easiest to service. And your original drawing was very helpful with both 149 repairs.

 

I had actually taken some pictures while pulling the c-ring but none came out well.

 

You have to imagine all this taking place inside the blind cap piston knob. I mocked up a crude example of how I did this.

 

The spindle head sits under the c-ring.

 

http://s27.postimg.org/i7arjjdz7/149_017.jpg

 

I used a 1/16 inch drill bit and drilled a hole into the head by hand, basically cutting a piece out of the spindle head and leaving a hole like a crescent shape in the spindle head.

 

I went between the c-ring and spindle head, hoping the hole I eventually made in the spindle head would act like a brace for the paperclip.

 

http://s27.postimg.org/pd2ilzn2b/149_016.jpg

 

After getting through the spindle head I slipped the paper clip into the hole and braced it against the hole in the spindle head and hooking the L under the c-ring.

 

http://s27.postimg.org/mhpff4j2b/149_019.jpg

 

Then using pliers I just pulled straight up pulling the c-ring out of it's groove.

 

I hope this makes a bit more sense now. Reading my original explanation it is lacking in details :blush:

 

Edited to add: I filed the tip of the paperclip down to make the diameter smaller so it would fit easily between the spindle head and c-ring. In it's original size, it was too thick to get into the hole I drilled in.

Edited by Paul Raposo

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

--William Makepeace Thackeray

 

Visit my blog to see the pens I have for sale

 

Paul's Pens

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Gosh, Paul. That's sterling work! Well done.

And a fantastic pen, to boot.

I've seen a few 149 nibs which have ended up monotone, I think it's a good look.

 

Many deserved congratulations - and thanks for sharing.

 

Enjoy

 

 

And this is where K-i-N put the nib/feed in upside down with the hole on the feed opposite the gap on the newer case feeder. I wanted to reposition the feed/nib but the nib had put a groove into the case feeder and I didn't want to try heating it to remove the groove. So I replaced it as it was:

 

http://s28.postimg.org/e4p77hl5p/149_018.jpg

 

 

Is it upside down?

Looks like it could be pushed in a bit further.

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Gosh, Paul. That's sterling work! Well done. And a fantastic pen, to boot. I've seen a few 149 nibs which have ended up monotone, I think it's a good look. Many deserved congratulations - and thanks for sharing. Enjoy Is it upside down? Looks like it could be pushed in a bit further.

 

Thank much CS388 :thumbup: I'm really happy with both pens and having been able to find Roger's website for the spindle.

 

I"m curious how all the masking came off the nib. I have a couple of decades old 149's where the masking is still perfect. I have to wonder if perhaps the seller wasn't completely honest about not messing with the nib :glare: But the nib overall does still look very nice.

 

I'm fairly certain the feed went in upside down as the 1990 to 1995 149 I also bought has the rectangular slot on the feed matched up to the slot on the case feeder.

 

It does appear to not be in all the way, but the bridge and slot on the case feeder wont allow the feed to be pushed all the way down.

 

Great work Paul. Always enjoy reading DIY threads. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

 

Thank you pelman :) Reading Hari's and Francis Goossens' threads on MB servicing over the years has inspired me.

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

--William Makepeace Thackeray

 

Visit my blog to see the pens I have for sale

 

Paul's Pens

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Nice job , well done. Congrats, Paul.

 

Thank you Opooh :thumbup:

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

--William Makepeace Thackeray

 

Visit my blog to see the pens I have for sale

 

Paul's Pens

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Now this is an excellent successful job Paul, my sincere congratulations !

Very original approach to get the C ring out, never thought in doing it this way.

For removing the broken spindle and C ring I always drill a 1.5 mm axial hole in the top of the filling knob, doing so the spindle and C ring can be knocked through from the back. But this implies making a 1.55 mm diameter HR plug to fill the hole afterwards.

Advantage is that eventually future replacement of the spindle one can knock it through knocking on the plug.

Note that Roger offers these replacement spindles also in Ketron Peek, at a slightly higher cost.

These are really indestructible, and - as I've thoroughly tested -installing these creates no risks in damaging other filler elements.

Although the fully round Delrin spindles you installed are already 35% stronger against torsion compared to the original flattened MB spindles.

Anyway, well done !

Francis

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Thank you very much Francis. Definitely high praise coming from a professional restorer like you :)

 

I did see in the thread you started that you tested Roger's Peek spindles. I tried to find those but didn't see them on his site.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/255063-modern-montblancs-weak-piston-lead-screw/?p=2863873

 

I also read about your method of knocking out the spindle and c-ring from the end of the filler knob. I considered that but accepted that I wouldn't be able to close the hole afterwards, and frankly I don't think I could do it and not make a pigs ear out of it :blush:

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

--William Makepeace Thackeray

 

Visit my blog to see the pens I have for sale

 

Paul's Pens

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