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Thread: TWSBI piston stuck

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    Senior Member Sailor Kenshin's Avatar
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    Default TWSBI piston stuck

    An Eco with italic nib. It was working fine when I loaded it a week ago....(Iro Tsysu-Kusa, if it's germane). But when I went to flush it yesterday, it was almost like trying to turn the knob in setting cement.

    It comes with a lube kit, I know, but I have never lubed a piston before. Any pointers, please as to how to diagnose and proceed?

    Thanks!
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

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    FPG Donor ♕ KrazyIvan's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    One of my TWSBI's locked up like that but I cannot remember which one it was. IIRC I ended up using a wooden skewer to push on the piston edges to get it free. I hade to blunt down the skewer so as not to damage the piston. Once it was free, just pull the piston as normal with the included wrench and lube it. I found using pen flush was removing the silicone grease. I stopped using pen flush so often and if I do, I grease the piston afterward. When removing the piston try to keep it as intact as possible so you don't loose the piston position, it's a pain to get it aligned again for optimum ink fills.

    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Senior Member Fermata's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    If it is completely stuck you will have a problem taking it apart, you may need to remove the nib and feed and drop a little silicon onto the piston, turn the knob gently in both directions and see if you can free it a little, once it starts moving then you may find that you dont need to take the pen apart from the knob end.

    If the piston can move a bit then follow Ivans advice on the video. If you have some grease rather than the oil use it on the piston.

    Be aware that setting the piston on the rod when you put everything back together is not that straightforward, get it wrong and you will have restricted movement of the piston, which isnt good.

    If you remove the nib and feed note that there is a recess in the feed where the nib sits, this is important. I got it wrong and next day I noticed that the section was cracked. also if you are putting the nib back you need to be careful that there is no silicon on your fingers, on the feed or in the section.

    Watch out for the thread direction when you use the plastic spanner, it is very easy to turn the spanner the wrong way and round off the flatted part of rod holder, dont overtighten but notice that the knob needs to clamp down on on the spanner

    I think these pens are more complicated than they should be for a pen that the manufacturers give you encouragement to take apart.

    Nothing against Mr Brown but I found the vid from Jet Pens just a little bit easier to follow.


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuUFaZ8ZbR8
    Last edited by Fermata; August 29th, 2019 at 02:34 PM.

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    Sailor Kenshin (September 8th, 2019)

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    Senior Member Sailor Kenshin's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    Thanks to both of you! This is the first time a piston seized up on me. And just when I was beginning to LIKE piston-fillers.
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Senior Member awa54's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    ...at least it was just a $35 pen that's still in production, my demi sized Omas just pulled the same trick
    David-

    So many restoration projects...

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    FPG Donor ♕ KrazyIvan's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    The TWSBI's are easy to maintain, just grease it up when it starts to feel tough to turn the piston knob.
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Senior Member Sailor Kenshin's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    Well, it's done. Thanks to all who posted tips, videos, and suggestions.

    This turned out to be much harder than I imagined.

    What inks do you all use in your TWSBI? And what happens if you have to lube a piston on a Pelikan or Montblanc? Are there special tools for this? I do have two Pel piston-fillers and one piston-filling MB.... I'm scurd!
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    Well, it's done. Thanks to all who posted tips, videos, and suggestions.

    This turned out to be much harder than I imagined.

    ...what happens if you have to lube a piston on a Pelikan or Montblanc? Are there special tools for this? I do have two Pel piston-fillers and one piston-filling MB.... I'm scurd!
    Yes you need a special tool for lubing Montblanc pistons. With a Pelikan, if you can unscrew the nib unit at least you have access to introduce a little lube to the inside of the barrel on a cocktail stick or toothpick.

    You don't usually have that option with a Montblanc unless it's very modern (less than 2 years old) and has the very latest unscrewable nib unit. A Montblanc piston would either need a service or a piston removal tool and it's by no means an easy job even if you have that tool.
    Last edited by Chrissy; September 9th, 2019 at 09:13 AM.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Sailor Kenshin (September 9th, 2019)

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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    Yikes, Chrissy—-I'm not sure if I would risk that even with my (132, I think is the model). And servicing may cost more than I paid for the pen!

    Thanks.
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Senior Member azkid's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    Yikes. Duly noted.

    For what it's worth, disassembling the Montblanc 220 is ridiculously easy

    https://youtu.be/6Tfb-7bYlUQ

    I bet the same is true of similar models like the 24, 32, ...

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    Senior Member Fermata's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    Well, it's done. Thanks to all who posted tips, videos, and suggestions.

    This turned out to be much harder than I imagined.

    What inks do you all use in your TWSBI? And what happens if you have to lube a piston on a Pelikan or Montblanc? Are there special tools for this? I do have two Pel piston-fillers and one piston-filling MB.... I'm scurd!
    I agree your point on the job being harder than it should be, especially if the setting on the knob to the twisted rod is disturbed. Its a faff.

    I have a Twsbi that has become stained with a saturated ink, it can be cleaned with a Q tip if I take the pen apart but I am loathe to do that. I would keep to washable inks such as Waterman.

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    Quote Originally Posted by azkid View Post
    Yikes. Duly noted.

    For what it's worth, disassembling the Montblanc 220 is ridiculously easy

    https://youtu.be/6Tfb-7bYlUQ

    I bet the same is true of similar models like the 24, 32, ...
    Sorry, I was referring to "modern" Montblancs and Pelikans. Force of habit I guess.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Senior Member Sailor Kenshin's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    Quote Originally Posted by Fermata View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    Well, it's done. Thanks to all who posted tips, videos, and suggestions.

    This turned out to be much harder than I imagined.

    What inks do you all use in your TWSBI? And what happens if you have to lube a piston on a Pelikan or Montblanc? Are there special tools for this? I do have two Pel piston-fillers and one piston-filling MB.... I'm scurd!
    I agree your point on the job being harder than it should be, especially if the setting on the knob to the twisted rod is disturbed. Its a faff.

    I have a Twsbi that has become stained with a saturated ink, it can be cleaned with a Q tip if I take the pen apart but I am loathe to do that. I would keep to washable inks such as Waterman.
    Ooo! I know! Noodler's Rattler Red (might have got the name a little wrong) and Sailor Doyou are said to be stain-cleaning inks.
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Fermata View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    Well, it's done. Thanks to all who posted tips, videos, and suggestions.

    This turned out to be much harder than I imagined.

    What inks do you all use in your TWSBI? And what happens if you have to lube a piston on a Pelikan or Montblanc? Are there special tools for this? I do have two Pel piston-fillers and one piston-filling MB.... I'm scurd!
    I agree your point on the job being harder than it should be, especially if the setting on the knob to the twisted rod is disturbed. Its a faff.

    I have a Twsbi that has become stained with a saturated ink, it can be cleaned with a Q tip if I take the pen apart but I am loathe to do that. I would keep to washable inks such as Waterman.
    Ooo! I know! Noodler's Rattler Red (might have got the name a little wrong) and Sailor Doyou are said to be stain-cleaning inks.
    So are older bottles of Parker Quink blue or blue-black inks with Solv-X in them.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    azkid (September 9th, 2019)

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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    See why sensible people are using ballpoint pens? No hassle there - but of course also no joy.

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    Default Re: TWSBI piston stuck

    OK, time to research the construction of my Super T Olimpia.... It has no obvious method of disassembly, so short of running Noodler's eel inks it may be a challenge to lubricate.
    David-

    So many restoration projects...

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