Montblanc Cartridge/converter Repair

[BamaPen]

A friend of mine asked me to take a look at his Montblanc. He received it as a gift some time ago and really doesn't want to spend much to repair it, so I thought that if I can do a reasonable repair for him then I'd give it a try.

 

I don't know the model number/name, but the pictures attached may help. It is a slender pen. The nib/feed screws into a metal "connector" component which in turn screws into the barrel. The converter is threaded and screws into the "connector" where it meets up with the piercing tube on the back end of the nib/feed.

 

All that seems to be in good order and the problem is that the gripping section, which surrounds the nib/feed and apparently was glued onto the "connector," is no longer glued in place. Turning it to unscrew the nib/feed/section/connector from the barrel does not work because the section simply spins on the connector.

 

There is some evidence of some adhesive, greenish colored, on the part of the connector that slips into the gripping section. I am assuming that I can repair this by using an appropriate adhesive to secure the section to the connector again.

 

If I am correct so far, then can anyone recommend an appropriate adhesive for this task?

 

Thanks in advance,

John

 

[pajaro]

The pen is a Montblanc 144 or Clasique, depending on age.

 

The section is better not taken apart as it is here. The rear metal part of the section should have the black "grip" adhered to it. epoxy will do. It need not be disassembled . The part you have the nib and feed in, that has a gold ring, should be more or less permanently in the "grip" and metal parts of the section. Basically, the section should be permanently together, with the converter screwing on or off the rear of the section, and with the nib and feed a friction fit into the section where the gold ring is. Clear?

 

Whoever took the section apart should not have done it. Because those parts need to stay together, something like five minute epoxy will work. Shellac will not hold under the stress. You want the section to hold together under the stresses of use.

[BamaPen]

Thanks...I agree that the section should not be disassembled as it is in my picture, but I think that whatever adhesive once held the outside black plastic gripping part to the metal part simply let go. After all, the only way to unscrew the nib/feed/section from the barrel to get to the cartridge or converter is to grasp the black plastic part and turn. If the adhesive doesn't hold, then it all comes apart.

 

I don't think that the owner knew much about fountain pens, as it does not appear ever to have been cleaned/flushed. All that dried ink was no doubt part of the problem.

[pajaro]

Montblanc has their own adhesives, and their adhesives might release under heat or something. I have tried shellac, and it didn't work for long when I had to repair a used 144 I bought that came apart like this. There might be better adhesives, but for me the epoxy worked and hasn't come apart. I like to get a pen together and then never have to do it again.

[BamaPen]

Since you've had good success with epoxy, I think I'll give it a try...

[BaronWulfraed]

Not of help but... If that's a 144 MontBlanc must have made a major change in construction at some point.

 

My only MontBlanc was a 144 -- and it had plastic threads where you seem to have a threaded metal insert.

 

Mine self-destructed when the section threads turned into a slinky.

[pajaro]

Not of help but... If that's a 144 MontBlanc must have made a major change in construction at some point.

 

My only MontBlanc was a 144 -- and it had plastic threads where you seem to have a threaded metal insert.

 

Mine self-destructed when the section threads turned into a slinky.

I had a similar 1983 vintage 144 that had the section disintegrate. I sent it to Montblanc service, and they replaced the plastic threaded section with a newer one with metal threads. This happened in the 1990s, and they charged $70 plus $10 shipping. The pen cost $135. Sometimes you can find the section on ebay for less.

[BaronWulfraed]

Unfortunately, I ended up disposing of the pen. I'd bought it in the UK during a business trip, and was living in California, and had no contact information or even an idea that something like that might be covered.

 

Maybe it's time I consider adding an MB back to the collection. Though I think I'd save up for a 146 size.

[Ron Z]

I would not use an epoxy. I consider epoxy to be a more or less permanent repair, and whether or not you do it, the section may need to be taken apart at some point..

 

Pelikan, and apparently MB too, uses a green thread locking compound to hold assemblies together. I've seen it quite a bit on more recent assemblies of Pelikan M800 barrels to keep the filler from unscrewing.

 

A search for green Loctite comes up with Loctite 290, which is a wicking thread locking compound that releases with heat and hand tools. Since you might not want to invest in a bottle, shellac, Captain Tolleys* or a rosin based thread sealant would be appropriate.

 

 

*Captain Tolleys is white, but dries to a clear polymer. It also releases with heat and hand tools.

[BaronWulfraed]

290 should be available in small tubes... https://www.jbtoolsales.com/loctite-37423-290-green-penetrating-threadlocker-tube-6-ml-tube -- but given that temperature range I'm not sure one would want to use it on a pen (300degF!) The main feature of 290 is that it is a penetrating type, usable on already assembled parts.

 

222 https://www.jbtoolsales.com/loctite-38653-threadlocker-222-low-strength/ might be safer. Though another page also lists 300degF for it.

[pajaro]

290 should be available in small tubes... https://www.jbtoolsales.com/loctite-37423-290-green-penetrating-threadlocker-tube-6-ml-tube -- but given that temperature range I'm not sure one would want to use it on a pen (300degF!) The main feature of 290 is that it is a penetrating type, usable on already assembled parts.

 

222 https://www.jbtoolsales.com/loctite-38653-threadlocker-222-low-strength/ might be safer. Though another page also lists 300degF for it.

 

Thanks. I ordered a tube of this.

 

One item on this pen that tends to come off is the gold ring around the nib. It threads on, and shellac had to be used again and again. If this is the same stuff Montblanc uses, the ring should stay in place longer. The ring is the cap clutch ring that holds the cap on, so there are stresses on it.

Edited October 5, 2018 by pajaro

[BamaPen]

I read Ron Z's suggestions, then used some of his thread sealant (not exactly what he suggested, but it is what I had on hand) to secure the gripping section to the metal connector piece. Ron's thread sealant is rosin based and heat activated, so seemed to meet the suggestions. Seems to have worked, but will keep a close eye on it.

 

Thanks to all...

[eckiethump]

Epoxy adhesive can successfully be de-bonded (is that a word?) by soaking parts in vinegar, which is not detrimental to *precious resin*, celluloid or plastic. Very detrimental to casein/gallalith (sp).