Useful Pen Repair tools

I've built up quite a large collection of hand made and repurposed tools over the years for pen repair.


There are some obvious ones such as a knock out block, heat gun, pen knife and nib block. But there are others I'd wish I'd known about sooner. This is one of my most used. It's a Bionic Wrench. It allows you to tightly grip a pen part and cause no damage if used in conjunction with a piece of rubber hose and heat.


This particular pen had been languishing unrestored for around a year and a half until I came across it today and successfully opened it. Causing no damage.

What tools do you find useful?

Attachment 68666

Once the pen is gripped, does it lock to prevent damage from over tightening?

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Originally Posted by FredRydr

Once the pen is gripped, does it lock to prevent damage from over tightening?

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Hi, it doesn't lock. I would think it is possible to crush hollow parts if pressed down very hard. So I tend to use it on sections (with the feed in place) as there is less to grip on them on it offers more help. However, as the rubber has some give I would think you would really have to force down on the grips to break a pen part.

I have one of these bionic wrenches. It was very useful when I needed to open a Parker 51 Vac filler unit in conjunction with a brass split ring. Keeps everything properly circular. :thumb:
Doesn't lock in a specific position but doesn't close up to completely closed in the centre and is easy to control.

The bars/jaws of a bionic wrench are smooth and rounded, so shouldn't mar the work piece, though they can crush things like metal tubing. A piece of hose provides both traction and a cushion, insuring that the jaws can't mar the surface, and to prevent crushing the section. Keeping the feed in the section when opening the pen is always a good idea.

Here's a selection of my tools. Specially helpful ist the wrench made of wood (No. 6),

the knock out block (No. 1)

and the cork seal cutter (No. 12)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1da2a3da_h.jpgWerkzeug by C.M.Z, auf Flickr

But some models require tools specially made for, as No. 17 for example. It's a key to unscrew the piston mechanics of first and second generation LAMY 27.

No. 7 is used to grab piston mechanics on Soennecken 111 and 222 with "click"-mechanism. And I specially made tool No. 9 to dismantle the piston on UHU Noblesse pens.

https://live.staticflickr.com/674/22...9cd81ad2_h.jpgUHU Noblesse Tool by c_m_z, auf Flickr

My newest helpful tool is a mini lathe, an EMCO Unimat SL:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9c019703_h.jpgEMCO Unimat SL by C.M.Z, auf Flickr

Thats a beautiful assortment of tools. Handy reference too for anyone looking to DIY!

I have to admit, threads like this get me excited.

Makes me wonder if there are any existing catalogues of the tools used by the manufacturers of various pen brands, both old and new.

There were manufacturers' manuals and toolkits. This is one for Lang's Summit pens that I had a few years ago. Of course most of the tools could be used for pens of any manufacture.

https://images14.fotki.com/v1676/pho...mgp2630-vi.jpg

https://images46.fotki.com/v1642/pho...mgp2634-vi.jpg

https://images46.fotki.com/v1642/pho...mgp2635-vi.jpg

https://images15.fotki.com/v1673/pho...mgp2637-vi.jpg

The final image is of a nib and feed fitting press.

What a cool thread this has become.
I enjoy seeing the tools that others are using.

My hand tools collection are very pedestrian, mostly repurposed ones and estate sale finds that keep being useful.

This is an early shot of my Taig when I just bought it used years ago (I don't have any other good photos of it afterwards).

https://live.staticflickr.com/5598/3...3849b570_c.jpg

And no, it didn't cost me $29.99 unfortunately. I wish :)


This is basically a small metal lathe where I can tune and resize pen parts. On occasion, I also make missing or replacement parts when ideas struck, such as this custom ebonite binde for my Pelikan 100:

https://live.staticflickr.com/4774/4...f49bae4a_c.jpg

I keep thinking that one day I'd get a metal lathe that is capable of cutting threads so I can dabble in making a pen, but then reality hits: "When the heck would I have time to do that???"

A selection of pokey sticks, hammer and a basic nib block. I'd hoped I'd become skilled at nib straightening by now however nib straightening is an unnerving task. However I have had a lot of success with it over the last few years. Only a few failures.

This an Eye candy Thread . Amazing share everyone. There are so many " Pen Surgeons" at large. :rockon:

Oh, those are nice burnishers!

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Originally Posted by top pen

A selection of pokey sticks, hammer and a basic nib block. I'd hoped I'd become skilled at nib straightening by now however nib straightening is an unnerving task. However I have had a lot of success with it over the last few years. Only a few failures.

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Nice nib block! Where's that from?

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Originally Posted by es9

Quote:

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Originally Posted by top pen

A selection of pokey sticks, hammer and a basic nib block. I'd hoped I'd become skilled at nib straightening by now however nib straightening is an unnerving task. However I have had a lot of success with it over the last few years. Only a few failures.

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Nice nib block! Where's that from?

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Hi, I got it from vintagepensacsandparts a few years ago. As as a stand alone unit without the tools or box etc. I mounted it to the plywood block to give it a bit of elevation and heft. I paid a fair bit less then what they have it up for now but had to build a setup around it and find some tools to use with it.

New STEEL Nib Repair / Burnishing Block and Tools Standard Size. – Thependragons - Vintage fountain pen sacs, fountain pen parts, tools and repair kits (vintagepensacsandparts.com)

I'd also add mine feels like aluminium as opposed to steel so that maybe the price difference.

Interesting. Has it worked well for you? Are the surfaces smooth and consistent?

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Originally Posted by es9

Interesting. Has it worked well for you? Are the surfaces smooth and consistent?

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The surfaces are smooth. I've good result with it but few that look perfect. I use to aid getting nibs that won't write to write (as opposed to hoping to to do a perfect job). It does that fairly well. I know there are better ones out there but they are hard to find and usually cost a huge premium.