Great video. One thing I would add is to make sure you have the right tools. I've seen a lot of pens ruined because of tools that weren't made for the job. That rusty pair of pliers in the bucket under the sink is not the right tool for any job on any fountain pen. They make tools designed to do any conceivable repair, and such tools can be true pen savers. Oh, I'd also add that if you luck into a vintage Montblanc that obviously needs an internal repair, send it to a pro. Montblanc pens are not made to be repaired at home, and some of the old ones can give even a seasoned professional fountain pen repair person nightmares. I've seen amateurs destroy several Montblanc pens beyond repair, even with repairs that would have been easy on other pens. I try to use no chemicals when cleaning a pen. But every now and then I've found an old pen that obviously has something in it that never should have been used in a fountain pen, and that in not water soluble. Then I do whatever it takes, starting as mildly as possible, and working my way up the danger scale. As for ultrasonic cleaners, know what you're doing there, as well. Not only can the vibration do damage to delicate areas of a pen, they can generate a LOT of heat. I've seen celluloid pens ruined because the owner left the pen in too long. For me, an ultrasonic cleaner is an absolute last resort. Just when you think they're safe, they'll kill a valuable pen. I had it happen. i stopped using such cleaners, except in a true emergency. See previous paragraph. My test for whether I have the average pen clean of ink is simple. When I think it's clean, I will, while it's still wet,slowly rub the back of the nib on a paper towel. It's amazing how often a pen I would have sworn was completely clean needs most of a paper towel to draw out the rest of the ink. I'd also add that your limitations can greatly diminish with time and experience, or get much worse with time. I don't even think about working on a valuable pen now. My vision and my hands just aren't up to such delicate work. I still do simple repairs, maybe even complicated repairs, on pens I'm willing to completely ruin, but ONLY on such pens.
Thank you! This is a wealth of information. Your comments on tools at the beginning are especially helpful. My errors in repairing pens are illustrations of that. I'm going to work your comment into my next repair video because it fits perfectly. I want to do a video on opening up a pen and some of the bits and pieces to be found there. Your comments on tools fit perfectly. And I have a destroyed pen to show even though I did open it correctly. (Waterman's Taperite)
Well done, Jason. I really appreciated that you started things off with a litany of errors you've made. Put me at ease. I now have video proof THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE! Once again, the message hits home: Start with the basics. Learn them first, and well. And don't forget, too, that the devil is in the details. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Hopefully the rest of the series lives up to your expectations! And yes, I was a bit ashamed about those disasters, but I felt I should share them and the mistakes I made.
Thanks, Jason. A nice simple beginners guide to pen restoration. I have to agree with what Stef Stated below, patience is key, never ever rush anything. Another thing to do is sometimes if a pen won't cooperate then put it away for a while & you'll find when you come back to it 9 times out of 10 you will figure it out, getting frustrated will cause you to break things This series will be interesting & great for newbies and professionals alike. Stay safe
Patience is vital! Lack of patience is what broke those two pens. In my next episode, I'll have a broken pen that I do not feel guilty about. Hopefully I can add at least a little to pen restoration!
@@WaskiSquirrel I've broken pens because I was too hasty in the past, you learn as you go. It's scary at first but then you start to get some confidence in your abilities but never be overconfident, know your limitations.
Thanks so much. This will be a very interesting video group to follow. It will also be nice to have someone else's thoughts as we all continue with our own repair projects. I really look forward to your next pen repair video!
Very nice introduction! Failure is the foundation of wisdom, I say to myself now and then, in a comforting tone. And I rejoice in the so many instants that prudence saved me from sorrow! The infamous ”caseine shock” hit me hard, as patient and thorough soaking always is my first choice of intervention! Luckily I believe the nib was the nicest part of that pen. I still keep the warped wreck in my drawer dedicated to broken pens, as a reminder. And the nib lives on.
As far as stubborn dried ink I use: Rapido-Eze Pen Cleaner ( also use it for Rapido-graph nibs as well as fountain pen nibs and feeds). The directions state: Full strength for clogged pen points and all parts with hard-dried ink. Dilute 1 part cleaner/4 parts water for periodic maintenance and for ultrasonic cleaners . Will not harm pen or airbrush parts. I got a 32 fl.oz at an art store. This may be a good experimental product for your destroyed pens to experiment with (let the parts soak over night, test for looseness, let it sit longer if need be and check periodically for ink to "let go" of the part). You already mentioned the use of an ultrasonic cleaner so ignore that last part of the instructions. Great video.👏👏👏👏👍👍👍 Not sure how many times I have called myself an ass throughout my life.....but I can relate to what you're saying.
Good stuff, Jason. My only remarks would be to echo Stef (Grandmia Pens) in taking one's time with each repair/rennovation project, &, know that water (generally) is your best friend in clearing out ink residue. I would cponcur that pen cleaning solutions for vintage models, is - a decided no-no - but that's a personal opinion. I had occasion to rennovate a Parker 45 recently...I spent over a week cleaning out the grip section, just with constant changes of water...granted, the barrel & section are plastic, so no harm done. Looking forward to the subsequent videos, my friend. Keep safe, Best, Andrew :)
So far I've only had two major incidents. I soaked a couple of celluloid pens overnight in homemade pen flush. I think I overdid the ammonia and woke to find two curled up Salvador Dali pens in the jar. Next I discovered that ultrasound is great for removing the decorative arrow just above the nib on a Parker 61. Fortunately, I noticed it lying in the tank of the cleaner and glued it back in but I couldn't get it as well seated as Parker did. I promise I've learned my lesson and hope you won't ban me from watching the rest of this series.
I think we all have some horror stories like that! Funny about the arrow on your Parker 61. It's almost like when they let dry erase marker float around on water.
Great video. One thing I would add is to make sure you have the right tools. I've seen a lot of pens ruined because of tools that weren't made for the job. That rusty pair of pliers in the bucket under the sink is not the right tool for any job on any fountain pen. They make tools designed to do any conceivable repair, and such tools can be true pen savers.
Oh, I'd also add that if you luck into a vintage Montblanc that obviously needs an internal repair, send it to a pro. Montblanc pens are not made to be repaired at home, and some of the old ones can give even a seasoned professional fountain pen repair person nightmares. I've seen amateurs destroy several Montblanc pens beyond repair, even with repairs that would have been easy on other pens.
I try to use no chemicals when cleaning a pen. But every now and then I've found an old pen that obviously has something in it that never should have been used in a fountain pen, and that in not water soluble. Then I do whatever it takes, starting as mildly as possible, and working my way up the danger scale.
As for ultrasonic cleaners, know what you're doing there, as well. Not only can the vibration do damage to delicate areas of a pen, they can generate a LOT of heat. I've seen celluloid pens ruined because the owner left the pen in too long. For me, an ultrasonic cleaner is an absolute last resort. Just when you think they're safe, they'll kill a valuable pen. I had it happen. i stopped using such cleaners, except in a true emergency. See previous paragraph.
My test for whether I have the average pen clean of ink is simple. When I think it's clean, I will, while it's still wet,slowly rub the back of the nib on a paper towel. It's amazing how often a pen I would have sworn was completely clean needs most of a paper towel to draw out the rest of the ink.
I'd also add that your limitations can greatly diminish with time and experience, or get much worse with time. I don't even think about working on a valuable pen now. My vision and my hands just aren't up to such delicate work. I still do simple repairs, maybe even complicated repairs, on pens I'm willing to completely ruin, but ONLY on such pens.
Thank you! This is a wealth of information. Your comments on tools at the beginning are especially helpful. My errors in repairing pens are illustrations of that. I'm going to work your comment into my next repair video because it fits perfectly. I want to do a video on opening up a pen and some of the bits and pieces to be found there. Your comments on tools fit perfectly. And I have a destroyed pen to show even though I did open it correctly. (Waterman's Taperite)
@@WaskiSquirrel Believe me, I know about damaging, even destroying, pens when using the wrong tools. I think it's almost a rite of passage.
Thanks for the shout out Jason. Remember your most important tool "patience". Good luck and stay safe.
That's a good point! Both of my wrecks were as a result of lack of patience.
Well done, Jason. I really appreciated that you started things off with a litany of errors you've made. Put me at ease. I now have video proof THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE! Once again, the message hits home: Start with the basics. Learn them first, and well. And don't forget, too, that the devil is in the details. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Hopefully the rest of the series lives up to your expectations! And yes, I was a bit ashamed about those disasters, but I felt I should share them and the mistakes I made.
Thanks, Jason. A nice simple beginners guide to pen restoration. I have to agree with what Stef Stated below, patience is key, never ever rush anything. Another thing to do is sometimes if a pen won't cooperate then put it away for a while & you'll find when you come back to it 9 times out of 10 you will figure it out, getting frustrated will cause you to break things
This series will be interesting & great for newbies and professionals alike.
Stay safe
Patience is vital! Lack of patience is what broke those two pens. In my next episode, I'll have a broken pen that I do not feel guilty about. Hopefully I can add at least a little to pen restoration!
@@WaskiSquirrel I've broken pens because I was too hasty in the past, you learn as you go. It's scary at first but then you start to get some confidence in your abilities but never be overconfident, know your limitations.
Thanks so much. This will be a very interesting video group to follow. It will also be nice to have someone else's thoughts as we all continue with our own repair projects. I really look forward to your next pen repair video!
I hope I can add something to the conversation!
Thanks Jason. Nice start.
You're welcome! Hopefully I can do a few more good ones!
Very nice introduction! Failure is the foundation of wisdom, I say to myself now and then, in a comforting tone. And I rejoice in the so many instants that prudence saved me from sorrow! The infamous ”caseine shock” hit me hard, as patient and thorough soaking always is my first choice of intervention! Luckily I believe the nib was the nicest part of that pen. I still keep the warped wreck in my drawer dedicated to broken pens, as a reminder. And the nib lives on.
Thank you! And yes, I've never worked with caseine, but I know soaking doesn't work there. Nice that you kept it as a reminder.
Thanks, looking forward to more in this series.
Hopefully I am able to add something.
A good introduction, i'm really looking forward to the next installment!
Thank you! Hopefully I can do it right.
Good intro thanks, looking forward to the next one
Hopefully the next one lives up to your expectations!
Nicely made video... thanks 😊
Glad you enjoyed, thank you!
As far as stubborn dried ink I use: Rapido-Eze Pen Cleaner ( also use it for Rapido-graph nibs as well as fountain pen nibs and feeds). The directions state:
Full strength for clogged pen points and all parts with hard-dried ink. Dilute 1 part cleaner/4 parts water for periodic maintenance and for ultrasonic cleaners . Will not harm pen or airbrush parts.
I got a 32 fl.oz at an art store.
This may be a good experimental product for your destroyed pens to experiment with (let the parts soak over night, test for looseness, let it sit longer if need be and check periodically for ink to "let go" of the part). You already mentioned the use of an ultrasonic cleaner so ignore that last part of the instructions.
Great video.👏👏👏👏👍👍👍
Not sure how many times I have called myself an ass throughout my life.....but I can relate to what you're saying.
Glad you enjoyed! I'll research that product. I had never heard of it.
Good stuff, Jason. My only remarks would be to echo Stef (Grandmia Pens) in taking one's time with each repair/rennovation project, &, know that water (generally) is your best friend in clearing out ink residue. I would cponcur that pen cleaning solutions for vintage models, is - a decided no-no - but that's a personal opinion. I had occasion to rennovate a Parker 45 recently...I spent over a week cleaning out the grip section, just with constant changes of water...granted, the barrel & section are plastic, so no harm done. Looking forward to the subsequent videos, my friend. Keep safe,
Best,
Andrew :)
Water is a good universal solvent. If I use pen flush in an older pen, I don't like to leave it in the pen.
Exactly, Jason, I'd be loathe to leave any chemical (in any pen) for too long a time. I hope you've had a good day, my friend :D
So far I've only had two major incidents. I soaked a couple of celluloid pens overnight in homemade pen flush. I think
I overdid the ammonia and woke to find two curled up Salvador Dali pens in the jar. Next I discovered that ultrasound
is great for removing the decorative arrow just above the nib on a Parker 61. Fortunately, I noticed it lying in the tank of
the cleaner and glued it back in but I couldn't get it as well seated as Parker did. I promise I've learned my lesson and
hope you won't ban me from watching the rest of this series.
I think we all have some horror stories like that! Funny about the arrow on your Parker 61. It's almost like when they let dry erase marker float around on water.
@@WaskiSquirrel As a Scotsman, I've got no idea what dry erase marker is (I'm very familiar with water though).
Thanks much!
Yes... first, do no harm!
Looking forward to your next one ;-)
Thank you! Hopefully I can keep these going!
Thanks for this video. Do you have a favorite shop where you buy repair supplies (e.g. sacs and j-bars)?
Yes I do! I buy most of my repair supplies from Anderson Pens.
@@WaskiSquirrel Thank you! I've also had good experiences with Anderson Pens.