Stuck Nib Sleeve (Bock) In New Bulkfiller

[klundtasaur]

Hi folks! I couldn't find any results using the search function, but if this has been asked/answered before, I apologize (and please direct me to the relevant thread!).

 

I recently received a Conid regular Bulkfiller with a medium Ti nib. While I love the pen, and the Ti nib (such a unique softness), I'd like to swap out the section of the pen (I ordered both a clear and a Delrin section, to see which I liked better). However, the sleeve of the nib unit is stuck inside the section--no matter how I try, I can't seem to unscrew the sleeve. The feed has a bit of a groove that mates with a ridge on the sleeve, but it doesn't allow enough torque to unscrew the sleeve (in fact, I've already tweaked the plastic of the nib a little trying to unscrew the sleeve! )

 

I'd welcome any suggestions for how to remove the sleeve from the section without damaging the section, sleeve, or feed.

 

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[FeuBleu]

I think there's a dismantling video on YouTube already? There's some chap who does videos on how to take apart various things, including fountain pens, and I'm sure he's done one for the Conid.

[klundtasaur]

I think there's a dismantling video on YouTube already? There's some chap who does videos on how to take apart various things, including fountain pens, and I'm sure he's done one for the Conid.

Yeah, I've seen the videos, and the pen comes with directions for disassembly. The problem is that the normal methods don't work because the sleeve is stuck in there somehow. I don't know if it's a bit of stray glue in the section or something else, but the normal method of unscrewing the feed doesn't work.

 

I'm hoping someone has encountered a stuck Bock sleeve before (even in a different pen) and has some idea of how to get some more torque on the sleeve without damaging it.

 

It might not be possible; I just don't want to have to ship the whole thing back to Belgium!

Edited January 7, 2016 by klundtasaur

[Jamerelbe]

Hi folks! I couldn't find any results using the search function, but if this has been asked/answered before, I apologize (and please direct me to the relevant thread!).

 

I recently received a Conid regular Bulkfiller with a medium Ti nib. While I love the pen, and the Ti nib (such a unique softness), I'd like to swap out the section of the pen (I ordered both a clear and a Delrin section, to see which I liked better). However, the sleeve of the nib unit is stuck inside the section--no matter how I try, I can't seem to unscrew the sleeve. The feed has a bit of a groove that mates with a ridge on the sleeve, but it doesn't allow enough torque to unscrew the sleeve (in fact, I've already tweaked the plastic of the nib a little trying to unscrew the sleeve! )

 

I'd welcome any suggestions for how to remove the sleeve from the section without damaging the section, sleeve, or feed.

 

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

SBRE Brown has a "disassembly line" video on the CONID Streamline bulk filler - but I'd suggest dropping the manufacturers a line first, before trying anything else!

 

Video:

[watch_art]

Aren't there 2 or 3 o rings on the nib housing holding it tight inside the section? I can't remember...

If so that could be why it's so hard to get out.

[Drone]

I think I understand your problem. You can't unscrew the nib-unit from the section, you're afraid if you put too much torque on the nib and feed you'll damage them (and you're probably right).

 

First... If I were to run into a problem like this on a high-end hand-made pen like the Conid Bulkfiller - it is going right back to the manufacturer so it can be properly fixed. As long as the pen is properly maintained, you should never have any problem like this disassembling any part of a pen like that.

 

That said... If you want to still try and remove the nib-unit then you might want to try a couple of things:

 

1. Soak the section with the stuck nib-unit in water, or better-yet a very dilute solution of water and household cleaning ammonia. There might be dry ink lurking between the section and the nib-unit sleeve. If that doesn't work or if you are sure there isn't any dry ink causing the problem, move on to option-2.

 

2. Warm the section first with some warm water. Warming the section may cause the section to expand more than the nib-unit sleeve before you try to unscrew it. To go further, try warming the section with the nib and feed removed and at the same time separately cool the nib and feed in ice-water. When the section is warm and the nib and feed are cool, insert the nib and feed then wait a few seconds so the nib and feed can cool the nib-unit sleeve, then try again to unscrew the nib-unit from the section.

 

Note: I'm sure you're going to be OK with water meeting acrylic resin. Delrin-like POM materials have low water absorption properties, so I think you should be OK there too.

 

If you do get the nib-unit out of the pen, you can put a tiny bit of pure silicone grease on the nib-unit threads before you screw it back in. That may make it easier to unscrew the next time. Just remember, do not get any grease on any part of the nib or feed! Grease on the nib and/or feed is asking for flow troubles.

 

But again, I think you should send the pen back and get it sorted-out properly by the manufacturer. As soon as the pen comes back, be sure to check it and see if the nib-unit is easy to remove.

 

Good Luck, David

[klundtasaur]

Aren't there 2 or 3 o rings on the nib housing holding it tight inside the section? I can't remember...

If so that could be why it's so hard to get out.

I think that's definitely playing a role, though I suspect there's something else at play.

 

I think I understand your problem. You can't unscrew the nib-unit from the section, you're afraid if you put too much torque on the nib and feed you'll damage them (and you're probably right).

David, you hit the nail on the head perfectly. Thank you for that helpful advice! I hadn't thought of using some thermal expansion knowledge. I think that's a great suggestion--I'm going to try soaking the section in some warm water (not too hot, obviously) and see if that does the trick. If not, I think you're right, I'm just gonna have to ship it back to Belgium to have them take care of it.