Merlin 33 Button Filler

[OldGriz]

I am considering the purchase of 2 Merlin 33 button fillers. The button and bars are there, but they need sacs..... I have never done a button filler...

Is this a touchy resac, or is it pretty simple...

I was told to just unscrew the section, shellac the sac in place and powder it, then screw the section back on... THEN put the pressure bar and button back in from the back of the barrel at an angle so it does not push on the sac...

The question in my somewhat feeble mind is.. "What keeps the button and bar in place when I push it back in??"

Am is missing something ??

[jthole]

Easy! The Merlins are traditional button fillers. "Da Book" tells you exactly how to do the job.

 

And if you pull the button and pressure bar out, you will see how it fits in again.

 

Don't twist or puncture the sac!

[Gerry]

Although it is difficult to describe easily without pictures, I'll give it a try - although Da Book pp 15 gives an excellent presentation.

 

In a button filler, the pressure bar exerts pressure on the sac when the button is depressed. Think of a tape measure extended, and you push on one end when the other is held stationary. The tape buckles in the middle. That's what happens in button fillers, except that there are several methods of 'fixing' the far end.

 

They are:

1. The 'remote' end of the bar rests on the section (a screw-in section),

2. The remote end of the bar rests on a collar in the pen barrel

3. The remote end of the bar is tied to another strip of metal that goes back to the button end of the pen, and has a hook on it that keeps it from being pushed into the barrel when the button is pressed.

 

As he notes, there are numerous variations, but the basic principles are usually one of the three.

 

HTH

 

Gerry

[artcat]

Easy! The Merlins are traditional button fillers. "Da Book" tells you exactly how to do the job.

 

And if you pull the button and pressure bar out, you will see how it fits in again.

 

Don't twist or puncture the sac!

[artcat]

Hello-I was looking for some help with a Merlin that arrived today, an eBay purchase. I decided to unscrew the barrel to look at the sac to see if it was OK before filling it with ink. From there thinks when downhill fast. I pulled the section and sac out (after unscrewing it, of course). Much to my surprise, this little metal bar fell out. So I looked here to find advise on how to put the lever back in. So I figured after reading yours and the next post that it had to go inside the button so the button could activate the lever. After dropping it in, it seemed to be functioning, so I tried to slide the sac and section in, OK, then screw the section into the barrel. I heard this squeeking, and the sac pulled off the section. Then I see your comment about DON'T TWIST THE SAC! How does one screw in the section without twisting, turning or whatever you want to call it the treaded end? Now what have I done? I've never replaced a sac before! What is Da Book everyone refers to? Now the poor little thing is stuck in there (pinned down by the lever, no doubt), and I don't wan't to poke it out and hurt it. What have I done? What can I do? Christine

[JakobS]

Hello-I was looking for some help with a Merlin that arrived today, an eBay purchase. I decided to unscrew the barrel to look at the sac to see if it was OK before filling it with ink. From there thinks when downhill fast. I pulled the section and sac out (after unscrewing it, of course). Much to my surprise, this little metal bar fell out. So I looked here to find advise on how to put the lever back in. So I figured after reading yours and the next post that it had to go inside the button so the button could activate the lever. After dropping it in, it seemed to be functioning, so I tried to slide the sac and section in, OK, then screw the section into the barrel. I heard this squeeking, and the sac pulled off the section. Then I see your comment about DON'T TWIST THE SAC! How does one screw in the section without twisting, turning or whatever you want to call it the treaded end? Now what have I done? I've never replaced a sac before! What is Da Book everyone refers to? Now the poor little thing is stuck in there (pinned down by the lever, no doubt), and I don't wan't to poke it out and hurt it. What have I done? What can I do? Christine

 

Don't worry Christine, Sacs are really easy to repair, you haven't ruined the pen by far. If you search for "replacing sacs" or "repairing sacs" in this forum you will find everything you need to know about fixing them. As well, if the pressure bar is damaged, though it doesn't sound like it, it can be easily replaced. From what is written above, I got that you need to replace the section with sac first, and then put the pressure bar and cap in from the back of the pen. Others may explain this farther, I do not own a button filler, but have replaced many a sac for lever fillers, which are done exactly the same!

Edited October 29, 2009 by JakobS

[artcat]

Dear JacobS-thank you for your consolation, and for your advice. This is my first repair, and I don't want to be a pill, but I looked at all eight pages (200 items) on sac repair, and found not one covering button-fillers, let alone Merlin. In fact there wasn't anything very basic like instructions at all. The editor is questionable or not working for me. If I key in button-filler, I get every post that ever mentioned a button, plus every post that ever mentioned fill, filler, filling or any combination thereof. If I try to find anything specific, this is all that comes back. But nevertheless I did go through all eight pages of posts, and found nothing, which seems strange. Is everyone else so well-versed on all this that what I want is too elementary to warrant a mention? I find lots of strings playing out on all other irrelevant subjects, like color, collectibility, oohing and aahing, is in all these posts. I suppose my frustration is showing, but all I want to know is how do I do this. Where do I look? I expected such a site to have a little library of basic answers to questions, or even FAC's. Now I feel really ignorant, and ready to toss this lovely little emerald green pen. I do have a PhD, so if I can research a dissertation and publish articles, shouldn't I be able to find out how to stuf the insides back into this measly little tube? I hope I don't get banned for saying these things. Christine

[artcat]

Oh, and P.S., by the way, we raised Indian Runner ducks for a couple of years, and they are the funniest annimal going. We loved to look at them just to laugh. Christine

[JakobS]

Christine, I am not the most concise writer sometimes! Sac repair itself is the same in button fillers as it is in lever fillers, or any other sac filling pen. Basically, all that is different is that you have to replace the bar through the back of the pen where the button is, instead of the end where the section screws in, after you have replaced the section with the new sac attached into the barrel. This enables the sac to go in without being caught on the bar, and twisting. When you do reattach the sac, and screw the section back into the pen, make sure you are turning the barrel and not the section, this enables the sac to not move at all as you replace the section, and avoid even the slightest chance of twisting. Hope this helps a little further.

Here is a diagram of a button filler from Richard Binder's site: www.richardspens.com, that may be of some help Diagram of Button Filler

Haha, that is great, Indian Runner Ducks do seem like such a interesting duck, and I hope to have some when I become more established someplace!

Edited October 30, 2009 by JakobS

[Richard]

Hello-I was looking for some help with a Merlin that arrived today, an eBay purchase. I decided to unscrew the barrel to look at the sac to see if it was OK before filling it with ink. From there thinks when downhill fast...

I've said this before, but here it is again. If you don't know what you're doing, DON'T DO IT!

 

You were lucky. You didn't break anything. But you could have destroyed the pressure bar, the barrel, or the section -- or all of them. When you don't know what you're doing, find out first. Ask before you disassemble something. Or buy a reference book that will show you how. Frank Dubiel's repair manual, fondly known as Da Book, costs only $20.00. You could buy two or three copies for the price you might have had to pay a professional to repair the damage if you'd really hurt the pen.

[Richard]

Here is a diagram of a button filler from Richard Binder's site: www.richardspens.com, that may be of some help...

I'm flattered when people want to use my images, but these are copyrighted material. I own them, and it's not only polite to ask before using them, it's the law. You are in violation of international copyright law if you use copyrighted material -- mine or anyone else's -- without prior permission.

[JakobS]

Sorry for that Richard, definitely did not mean to lessen the amazing work you have done, thought of it in a moment of trying to figure out how to make this as clear as possible. I did not mean to profit from it in anyway, or intend to offend.

[artcat]

Hello-I was looking for some help with a Merlin that arrived today, an eBay purchase. I decided to unscrew the barrel to look at the sac to see if it was OK before filling it with ink. From there thinks when downhill fast...

I've said this before, but here it is again. If you don't know what you're doing, DON'T DO IT!

 

You were lucky. You didn't break anything. But you could have destroyed the pressure bar, the barrel, or the section -- or all of them. When you don't know what you're doing, find out first. Ask before you disassemble something. Or buy a reference book that will show you how. Frank Dubiel's repair manual, fondly known as Da Book, costs only $20.00. You could buy two or three copies for the price you might have had to pay a professional to repair the damage if you'd really hurt the pen.

[artcat]

Dear Richard-thank you for your reply, and it is nice to finally know what Da Book is. Experts in any field should appreciate how frustrating specialist slang can be for anyone new, and anyone giving advice should remember that. It's comparable to trying to read one of those incomprehensible computer manuals that existed (unless you are too young to remember) before computers became standardized and user-friendly. I didn't mean to step on too many toes last night, but it is hard to understand why one can't find the most basic information in plain English. A site offering so much information should be encouraging new members who want to use fountain pens, not only offering information to insider collectors. There seem to be so many sensible and helpful people on this site. Look up an arcane subject like orchids, for example, and a clear and kindly basic explanation can be found for almost everything, from many individuals who want to share their knowledge. It is not appropriate to answer a question from someone obviously seeking vary basic information with insider slang. Why not just give the name of the book in the first place, rather than scold me for not knowing? Further, with all the advice the fountainpennetwork offers saying how simple unscrewing a section is, it is not appropriate to tell me that I was foolish in simply doing that (with bare hands). If there had been any resistance at all to my gentle approach, I would have stopped immediately and sought help. I would never apply pressure enough to crack anything.

I bought this pen on the advice given in this site, as it has a nice gold flex nib for drawing. It is a lovely little thing, that I bought as an art tool, not because I want to become a collector. Sorry the diagram was sent to me inappropriately, but it was helpful, and lead me to your website, with its wonderful information. I would not have found it without the diagram as a lead. It still doesn't look like my Merlin however, so I am still not sure how to remove the button to replace the sac and reinsert the pressure bar. So I am still stepping on toes here, but all this when a couple of simple sentences in plain English would do in the first place? Christine

[artcat]

Sorry for that Richard, definitely did not mean to lessen the amazing work you have done, thought of it in a moment of trying to figure out how to make this as clear as possible. I did not mean to profit from it in anyway, or intend to offend.

[artcat]

Dear JacobS, thank you so much for your sincere attempt to be helpful. No other reply to my question has been so far, and I really appreciate you taking the time. Still can't get the button out to put the lever back in, but the diagram did help, and I led me to Richard's site, so I think you did a good thing in sending it. I understand Richard's problem with it, but still, thank you for your help. You should try the runner ducks when you can. We have also had Pekins, who are the big fat Long Island Duckling type ducks, but they can't run or fly away from a varmint. Thus they have to be penned constantly, which we don't like to do, as we raise all our own meat organically and naturally. We want our animals to be happy. Khaki Campbels are a hoot also, and more resilient than the Indian runners, though similar in stature and habits. They hunted for bugs in the gardens, but weren't that good to eat. We are tempted to try Muskovies, as they are really hardy and self-sufficient, big and good to eat, like the geese who take care of themselves and love to be self-sufficient parents (also keep the grass down). Christine

[Richard]

Why not just give the name of the book in the first place, rather than scold me for not knowing?

Why not do a little research in the first place, rather than scold people for using "slang"? (See, that can be played in two ways.)

 

If slang (actually, the term is jargon, not slang) is a problem for you, it would make sense to look for translations. One of the best resources, about which a thread is pinned on FPN, is my glossary (located at http://www.richardspens.com/?gloss=). Take a look. Among other things, you'll find an entry for Da Book, giving its full title.

 

Further, with all the advice the fountainpennetwork offers saying how simple unscrewing a section is, it is not appropriate to tell me that I was foolish in simply doing that (with bare hands).

Forgive me for suggesting that you (and others) exercise a little common sense. Following advice that you get from a wiki (which FPN really is) can and will get you into trouble. Sone of the posters on FPN are experienced collectors and/or repair professionals. But many others, including those who post most frequently, are relative newcomers who are posting with the enthusiasm of the newly converted. The result is that FPN's advice collection, rather than being self-correcting, is self-corrupting. The bad posts never get weeded out; they accumulate until the majority of the advice is bad advice. Look before you leap.

 

I would never apply pressure enough to crack anything.

But since you're inexperienced, how would you know when you're approaching the danger point? Some pens are so fragile that even rough handling is sufficient to damage them, but just looking at them won't tell you that. It's something you learn by experience. Yes, I've broken pens, some of them worth a fair hunk of change. It's part of the cost of doing what I do, and every pen I break is ten pens I won't break later.

 

It still doesn't look like my Merlin however, so I am still not sure how to remove the button to replace the sac and reinsert the pressure bar.

Actually, except for the shaping of the outside, it is identical to your Merlin. You can pull the button out by grasping it firmly and wiggling it as you pull. Looking at the diagram, you can see which way the pressure bar is supposed to face when you put it in, and you can easily guess that you'll have to start it at an angle so that it will slip into place without pushing on the end of the sac. With the pressure bar firmly in position -- it has to seat all the way down as shown in the diagram -- you can fit the button over the end of the pressure bar and push the button back into the pen.

[artcat]

It really doesn't have the same type of pressure bar. I have tried to gently pull out the button, but to no avail, and this is what I mean by being careful. One can tell if very gentle pressure does not cause it to yield, stop rather than applying more pressure, and seek advice. That is what I mean by not applying too much pressure. One becomes used to being gentle and careful with lots of delicate things. Sorry you broke your expensive pen. I almost never break anything with my gentle approach, but there is are always exceptions. Due to severe arthritis, my hands and fingers aren't that strong anyway, so there is little chance. If one is big and strong, I can see this might require more self-restraint. Thanks for the advice, I will try to pull it out again, but I see from the diagram there are flanges on both sides that seem to need to be squeezed together, but there is only about 2mm. of access.

[artcat]

Also, how would I know about your nice dictionary, without your telling me it is there? Da Book (Chicago), Das Book (German), one could easily assume anything. So the well-cited reference to your website was a lead. Don't discourage new members, they are the life of any organization. Christine

[Richard]

It really doesn't have the same type of pressure bar.

Here's a photograph of a Merlin pressure bar and a Parker Duofold pressure bar (on which the diagram is modeled). Both bars are NOS (New Old Stock), never used. The look the same to me except for size.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/shared/pbars.jpg

 

Here's the diagram again, in a bigger size so you can see it more clearly.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/ref/anatomy/zoomed/anatomy-button.jpg

 

I have tried to gently pull out the button, but to no avail...

You really do need to grasp the button firmly and wiggle while you pull very hard. This is best done with an original Parker button puller, but most people don't have those. If arthritis is keeping you from applying the necessary force, you'll need to ask a friend for assistance. As Tom Cuthbertson wrote in Anybody's Bike Book, the most important tool in your toolbox is a friend. The button is slotted, and enough force, combined with wiggling, will spring the "tines" inward so that the flange can pass through the hole. Trust me here; I repair pens for a living, and this is really the way the button was designed to be removed and installed.

 

Also, how would I know about your nice dictionary, without your telling me it is there?

As I did say, there is a thread here on FPN telling you where to find a glossary. My point is that there are great search facilities here, and it behooves us all to use them.

 

Da Book (Chicago), Das Book (German)...

Actually, the German is das Buch. But when I pointed out Da Book to you, I included the information that it's Frank Dubiel's repair manual, and that should have set you off on a search (see previous point).

 

New members are the life of any organization; you're absolutely right. But even a rank beginner -- which I suspect that you are not -- should read the rules or guidelines or whatever might be available, and all of us should observe good forum etiquette. It's not considered good form to ask questions that are likely to have been answered unless you've been unable to find your answers by using the resources available to the best of your ability. You can use the advanced search facility to seek out posts by a specific individual as well as posts containing specific words. You can also eliminate undesired words from consideration to reduce the number of irrelevant hits. One way to cut down on the proliferation of wrong answers is to see if you can find what the recognized experts say; another facet of forum etiquette is to read for a while and find out who the experts are before you dive in.

 

Having vented my spleen, I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

 

Welcome to FPN!

Edited October 31, 2009 by Richard