The Dent In The Top Of The Cap...

[BamaPen]

It is not uncommon for 40s and 50s Sheaffer pens with metal caps to have suffered a drop right on the end of the cap, resulting in the often-seen dent in the end of the cap. See the image below for a typical one. How difficult is it to repair such dents?  Is this something that someone can try at home?

 

John

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3sEAAOSw4A5Y2ICL/s-l1600.jpg

[PaulS]

I don't see why not, provided you use care and caution, but whatever method you use there's no getting around the fact that even with the dent 'pulled' you will need to re-plate the cap - assuming it's chrome.

 

In the same way that car body repairers use a 'dolly', you will need some form of very smooth round ended form of drift that can be placed right up in the top of the inside of the cap - and the contact surface really must be smooth and clean.

Pushing the cap down against the drift, a small hammer can be used to bring out the dent, but I've no idea if this will interfere with the anchor points of the clip - you may well need to remove the clip entirely. Having pulled the dent, then the more difficult part starts - the result will not be acceptable aesthetically, so a filler of some sorts might be needed to create a smooth surface. Re-chroming isn't difficult, but unless you have the kit then this part of the job will need to go to a professional. Having said all this, I've never attempted this job, so really only going on common sense and lateral thinking - wish you luck. but since it's knackered anyway, nothing ventured nothing gained - have a go.

 

Alternatively, wait until a replacement cap turns up.

Edited April 2, 2017 by PaulS

[siamackz]

If the cap has a plastic inner keeping the clip together, etc. then I believe it will be a challenge getting that out first. From what I've read, that requires special equipment which can be expensive.

If you do repair the top, please do share. I have the same issue on one of my caps, and I am sure many others do too!

All the best!

[PaulS]

as a suggestion for a quicker and less intrusive solution, the 'dent' could simply be filled, smoothed, and then the cap re-plated. ............. just a thought.

[Chrissy]

I'm sure it's not going to be an easy repair, especially because the dent is right on the end of the cap.

 

I've just been onto Laurence Oldfield's tools page to look at a nib block, and I was looking at all of the tools he has on offer. He mentions a cap dent removal kit, although maybe it doesn't necessarily cover dents right in the end of the cap. It looks quite a complicated procedure.

 

Pen Practice.

[FarmBoy]

Removal of the dent is not so difficult. Getting to the dent can be. I believe the pen shown has a metal cap liner that proves very difficult to remove.

To remove the dent you make a mandrel and push it out.

[PaulS]

...although maybe it doesn't necessarily cover dents right in the end of the cap. It looks quite a complicated procedure.

 

the ding removal kit sold by The Pen Practice - which I now use for P51 dent removal - is intended for repairing dings along the length of the cap, and isn't made or intended for remedying damage at the very end of the cap as shown by the op, which is why I suggested making a 'dolly'. This does pre-suppose that folk have the necessary power tools for making such an item - and of course, not everyone has - so the alternative suggestion of filling the dent and then re-plating is a simpler solution. Whether the job is worth doing may depend more on the value of the pen weighed against the possibility of finding a replacement cap.

[gweimer1]

I have a Crest with the telltale dent in it. Our illustrious RonZ did the restoration for me, and advised that it was a greater risk to try and take the dent out than live with it. I'm living with the dent. Perfection isn't always a desirable goal, especially if the price to pay is too great.

[Vintagepens]

At the current state of the art, removal of the metal cap liner is very very difficult.

Taking care of the dent once the liner (and clip) have been removed is trivial (and does not require plating).

 

As things now stand, the cost of the work far outstrips the value of the pen. That will surely change as repair techniques improve. So far, however, the trick of easy cap liner removal has proven elusive.

[Manalto]

... it was a greater risk to try and take the dent out than live with it. I'm living with the dent. Perfection isn't always a desirable goal, especially if the price to pay is too great.

 

I guess this is common with Sheaffers (or maybe just metal caps in general). I've got a black one (not sure which model) with a wonderful conical nib and a gold cap that has a dent in the side. After asking around and learning about the cap liner, I've come to the same decision as you. The upside of this (apart from convincing oneself that it now has "character") is that I can use it as an EDC without pampering it, which I tend to do with pristine or "heavily-invested" pens.

[Chrissy]

I must admit that I watch Judge Judy on TV and am frequently amazed by the way she smacks her Montblanc silver capped pen (RB) on the desk. That must be really well dented by now. I know she wouldn't care as she would just buy another, but it always makes me cringe.

[Sasha Royale]

As with any "body work" of a metal object, the final cosmetic result will depend on the artist. On the other hand, it is a vintage fountain pen, that was used daily. Of course, it was dropped ! Perhaps, the pen was dropped by Dr. Albert Schweitzer, when the pen owner lent it to him. That is to say, the dent does not affect function. I would accept it as "character" in a venerable pen.

Edited April 4, 2017 by Sasha Royale

[fountainbel]

As with any "body work" of a metal object, the final cosmetic result will depend on the artist. On the other hand, it is a vintage fountain pen, that was used daily. Of course, it was dropped ! Perhaps, the pen was dropped by Dr. Albert Schweitzer, when the pen owner lent it to him. That is to say, the dent does not affect function. I would accept it as "character" in a venerable pen.

 

Bravo, I concur completely !

[PaulS]

well, then there's those who have a foot in the 'I only want perfect pens' camp - perhaps they'd bin this one and go out and buy an undamaged example of this model. How about filling the dent with some white enamel - hey presto you have a white spot.

 

The op hasn't yet commented as to whether he feels character 'is his thing' and will leave well alone. I've no idea, but is that cap chrome or do I need the opticians?

[Vintagepens]

The OP's pen has a GF cap, from what I can see.

[PaulS]

thanks David - I'm not seeing the spot, so does that mean this is a slightly lower quality pen, or is the spot hidden from view - regret my knowledge of Sheaffer pens rather limited.......... and do we know which model this is?

[Chrissy]

The OP's pen has a GF cap, from what I can see.

 

Yes, it looks like a GF cap to me too.

[Chrissy]

thanks David - I'm not seeing the spot, so does that mean this is a slightly lower quality pen, or is the spot hidden from view - regret my knowledge of Sheaffer pens rather limited.......... and do we know which model this is?

OP doesn't say which model it is, and I don't know either. But not all Sheaffers had a white spot.

[gweimer1]

OP doesn't say which model it is, and I don't know either. But not all Sheaffers had a white spot.

 

The original pic shows the white dot at the end of the plunger fill. This is how my early Crest is.

[PaulS]

apologies for my ignorance folks - I had wondered why the striated portion was being shown - my lack of knowledge of early Sheaffers is obviously astronomic. I have just a single pen of theirs with the dot on terminal end of the barrel, and yes, I'm aware that the spot appears on better quality pens only - I have couple of dozen modern models with the spot.

Agree too that since this damage doesn't interfere with the pen's function, then it might easily remain as a feature of honest use - trouble is that unlike antiques in general a lot of collectors aren't too keen on seeing 'distressed features'.............. if offered for sale, I wonder how many of us would decline to purchase in view of this issue.

 

In view of the g.f. cap, might this pen be a Crest De Luxe c. 1952?

 

In the coming months I'm intending to get some kit for home re-plating - perhaps I might have been tempted to have a go on this one.