Why or why not repair a fountain pen?

[jimsan]

What are your motivations either superficial, philosophical or practical for repairing your own fountain pens?

[cossar]

Less expensive if you are doing many of them, and I like being DIY anyways. I like projects.

 

Also since I'm cheap, I don't have a big budget for fountain pens. Broken fancy pens are less expensive than restored fancy pens.

[pen lady]

The pleasure of bringing something old and non-functional back to ''life'' is pretty cool.

[Ron Z]

Nothing philosophical about it, but practical....   Two factors to consider if you want to do your own repairs:

 

Are you mechanically inclined, and do you have the ability to fix things?  ....or are you like my late father in law who was a very good doctor, but the nail into the wiring in the wall the first time he tried to hang a picture. 

 

If the former, go for it.   I started on my own pen about 35 years ago, and never looked back.  But if you are in the later class, don't try to fix your own pens, unless you want a full parts bin of broken pens.

[Seney724]

29 minutes ago, Ron Z said:

Nothing philosophical about it, but practical....   To factors to consider if you want to do your own repairs:

 

Are you mechanically inclined, and do you have the ability to fix things?  ....or are you like my late father in law who was a very good doctor, but the nail into the wiring in the wall the first time he tried to hang a picture. 

 

If the former, go for it.   I started on my own pen about 35 years ago, and never looked back.  But if you are in the later class, don't try to fix your own pens, unless you want a full parts bin of broken pens.

I think this is exactly right.

Many of the most common "repairs" and restoration needs are incredibly simple and easily accomplished...... provided you know how to do it and have the correct tool(s) to get it done.

Begin with the simplest tasks and progress as your abilities, knowledge and confidence allow. 

Ask questions; I have encountered only a few people who are unwilling to share their knowledge.  Those among them who are professionals ultimately never see any of my business or referrals.

Like anything else, it is important to know the limits of your capabilities.  These limits are multi-factoral; to mean your manual dexterity, your knowledge and/or the tools available for your use.

Knowing when to not to try and do something is probably the most important skill to acquire! 

And, if you do not really enjoy it, don't  do it.  Our lives are stressful enough, as is!

[Checklist]

On 4/12/2024 at 9:13 AM, pen lady said:

The pleasure of bringing something old and non-functional back to ''life'' is pretty cool.

This is my primary motivation, at least.  It's a hobby to me, and it gives me something I can do with my hands.

[Larry Barrieau]

I agree with Checklist.  I bought an Esterbrook LJ ten years ago when  I started with fountain pens.  It needed a sac and there was a deep well of information and encouragement from many members here (Ron Z) included.  I'm not particularly handy, but I got through it and resacced that pen.  What a great feeling!  I was writing with a pen I fixed.  I learned how to do other pens and then sold the ones I did not want.  That money bought, and still buys me the pens I like.  Try it, I think you'll like it. 

[lestrade]

Ignore this request for a repair shop -- I found the list. We now return you to normal broadcasting...
 

[Paul-in-SF]

@cossar and @pen lady speak for me pretty well. Repairing a broken pen feels like an achievement, it saves money, it restores an object to useful life, and the pens I have repaired mean more to me than perfect pens that I have paid those lovely high prices for. It's something I can generally do while sitting at my desk (this has both advantages and disadvantages, as I get older). I meet my own standards for ability, which means I am successful more often than not, and any pen I can't repair, at least I didn't make it worse (well, hardly ever). I don't tackle jobs I know I can't do (that's what the professionals are for), but I am willing to try things I'm not certain of in order to stretch my skills. I have learned patience and care, and taking satisfaction in small steps -- better than I used to be, not as good as I hope to become. 

[gweimer1]

I started learning to repair my own pens after I had given a Parker 51 to a known repair person, who is no longer with us.   I was charged $35 for the repair, and when I got home, I discovered that the pen still had the same issue (wouldn't take ink).  I dug around online, and figured out what was needed, and fixed it myself.   In doing that, I found that I enjoyed working on pens more than just collecting or using them.  So, my first few years of doing repairs was simply to learn how different pens worked.  And here I am....knee deep in pens to repair, with a dozen or more labeled parts boxes.

And...old age creeps up, so I now have trigger finger in both hands...sometimes simultaneously.   My repair days may be limited.

[torstar]

when TWISBI (??) came out with a very cheap and bad line of pens i had no problem buying 6 and going to town with a razor blade to carve out the section, usually going too far

 

i let the local hobbyists get first crack at real repairs, they will tell me to ship it to HQ if they can't handle it.

[lestrade]

On 4/23/2024 at 9:03 AM, gweimer1 said:

And...old age creeps up, so I now have trigger finger in both hands...sometimes simultaneously.   My repair days may be limited.

Thank you for your service, GW!!