Adventures in Waterman Crusader Repair

[KrazyIvan]

Thank you to JBB for her thread here. She pointed out a couple of pens that don't get a lot of attention and usually go for cheap on the bay. I thought I should start this thread instead of using hers to document the repair progress.

I liked the Waterman Taperite and started searching for one. She pointed out one example that looked a bit rough. I was almost sure the sac would need replacing. I decided to use my eBay points and got the pen for under $4 USD.

Here is what it looked like before I started on it (the eBay picture):

$T2eC16N,!ygE9s7HHqw9BRZ1jqM1h!~~60_57.JPG

After reading up on the pen I found out what I actually have is an Waterman Crusader. The way I understand it, it is a lower tier pen in the style of the Taperite. What I did not know is how fragile they are. Some articles/posts I read sighted a 1 out of 3 success rate with replacing the sac. With that in mind I decided to soak the pen first. The nib had a lot of crud on it anyway. A lot of blue ink came out of the pen. When the soak water finally started to come clean, I started alternating hot/cold water soaks in hopes that the expansion and contraction would loosen up the section a bit. Last night I finally started using dry heat to start pulling on the section. It moved about a millimeter. I thought that was enough pulling for the day and decided to send it back to the soaking chamber. So that is where I am at now. Here is the pic:


Adventures in Waterman Crusader repair by IvanRomero, on Flickr

[gweddig]

A millimeter is a good sign, I think that means the glue has at least partially released. I would be very careful when twisting rocking on these, the material is very brittle.

Those do polish up very nicely though. Keep us updated.
--greg

[southpaw52]

+1, I have been working on removing the sections from three different Crusaders. I have had success with separating two out of the three. The plastic resin used over time I agree has become brittle.

[Maja]

I deliberately avoid buying them unrestored as they are notorious for being difficult to resac: (from here : "Also, although it is doubtful that Wateremjan actually intended the Taperite to be unrepairable, it is true that many of these pens are so tightly assembled that they are virtually impossible to disassemble for sac replacement.")

Hope you have better luck with yours, Ivan!

[KrazyIvan]

It has moved another little bit. It is going to be a very slow process.

[whych]

Patience is a virtue
have you tried warming it with a hairdrier? It may be easier than water.
Keep rotating the pen while heating, and keep the patience.

[KrazyIvan]

Yes, all movement has been with dry heat.

[Bogon07]

All the best with your repair work.

I suppose you could use it as a dip pen if you can't replace the sac.

[KrazyIvan]

Was concentrating so much on the section, I did not realize how much pressure I was exerting on the lever while pulling on the section. Fail.


Waterman Crusader fail. by IvanRomero, on Flickr

[Jon Szanto]

[gweddig]

Was concentrating so much on the section, I did not realize how much pressure I was exerting on the lever while pulling on the section. Fail.

Ouch! If it were me I would have to walk away for a few days while the disappointment wore off then look at as an opportunity for barrel repair practice.

--greg

[cedargirl]

Ooohh, that hurts. So sorry.

But remember - every failure brings you one step closer to success - as long as you keep trying.

[whych]

Was concentrating so much on the section, I did not realize how much pressure I was exerting on the lever while pulling on the section. Fail.

Bummer.
Looks like you have most of the pieces, so you should be able to glue it all together again.

[KrazyIvan]

Unfortunately, I don't think the barrel is salvageable. You can just barely see it, there is a crack further down the barrel. Well, it goes around the barrel like a cork screw all the way down to the section.

[GaryR]

You really have not destroyed a pen, you have created a learning tool. "This is what a lever filler looks like on the inside." What a great show piece!!

[Maja]

Oh wow. Sorry, Ivan. That's too bad, but at least it wasn't a terribly expensive pen or sentimental favourite...

[KrazyIvan]

You really have not destroyed a pen, you have created a learning tool. "This is what a lever filler looks like on the inside." What a great show piece!!

I decided to take what I could salvage from it. I am thinking I might ask one of the pen turners to see if they can make me a barrel. The section is fully intact. Don't know if its possible

[KrazyIvan]

Oh wow. Sorry, Ivan. That's too bad, but at least it wasn't a terribly expensive pen or sentimental favourite...

Yes but now it has me looking for another one.

[Jon Szanto]

I decided to take what I could salvage from it. I am thinking I might ask one of the pen turners to see if they can make me a barrel. The section is fully intact. Don't know if its possible

Of course it's possible! That's what I might do for the section from the one of mine that cracked (the barrel). I might even consider making it into a pen similar to the "Fantasy 51" pens.

[KrazyIvan]

I decided to take what I could salvage from it. I am thinking I might ask one of the pen turners to see if they can make me a barrel. The section is fully intact. Don't know if its possible

Of course it's possible! That's what I might do for the section from the one of mine that cracked (the barrel). I might even consider making it into a pen similar to the "Fantasy 51" pens.

I was thinking maybe something like a bulb filler would be cool.