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Thread: Waterman #55 section cracked

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    Default Waterman #55 section cracked

    I broke a piece off of the section for my 1920s Waterman #55, which is of course made of hard rubber.

    I will search for a replacement, but I was wondering if there is any way to reattach the broken portion?

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    Disclaimer: I know nothing about this specific vintage Waterman's pen.

    What I would do is to search on ebay for a beater pen that has a decent section. I spotted a Waterman's 52 today with hardly any searching. I don't know if the sections are the same size or not.

    If it's an open crack in the section that is going to affect whether the pen will still write or not then gluing it back together is unlikely to work long term. You would never be able to reinsert the nib and feed without the crack opening again. However, if you've broken off the sac nipple then there may be a possible workaround that could still make the pen write.

    There are also probably some restorers around who could make you a new section on a lathe.
    Last edited by Chrissy; June 8th, 2020 at 02:32 AM.
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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    If you've only broken off part of the rim, you can possibly reattach it using one of the specialised Loctite glues (can't remember which one off the top of my head). Regular glues won't work with ebonite. But if the crack goes right through the wall of the section you'll get leaks and as Chrissy says it will probably open up again over time.

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    Quote Originally Posted by amk View Post
    If you've only broken off part of the rim, you can possibly reattach it using one of the specialised Loctite glues (can't remember which one off the top of my head). Regular glues won't work with ebonite. But if the crack goes right through the wall of the section you'll get leaks and as Chrissy says it will probably open up again over time.
    When I read the text of OP's post I also replied about a slight chip that was broken off exactly as you have done. But then I read the title and edited my reply to refer to a crack.
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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    Quote Originally Posted by amk View Post
    If you've only broken off part of the rim, you can possibly reattach it using one of the specialised Loctite glues (can't remember which one off the top of my head).
    I believe it's Loctite 480.
    In the words of Paul Simon, you can call me Al.

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    If it is actually a crack, the only repair I know to be successful in a hard rubber section is a metal insert. If it's just re-attaching a chip, it's possible Loctite will work. I often hear of it being recommended but I also hear it said that it is unsuccessful long-term. I haven't tried it myself. I agree with Chrissy that a replacement would be best.
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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    Thanks for all the useful responses. I should have uploaded a few photos, so I'm doing that now.
    The cracked off portion fits perfectly in the larger piece.
    Hopefully this will work
    Attached Images Attached Images

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    well, the photos are pretty large, but shows whats going on

    Its the waterman cardinal red so its harder to find a replacement then if it was black.

    If the 'glue' holds perfectly, this may work. The portion of the section that would be visable would look perfect.

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    As I look at the section I see another problem. There is not enough of the inner part of the section for a sac to be glued on.

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    Quote Originally Posted by Pen Tom View Post
    well, the photos are pretty large, but shows whats going on

    Its the waterman cardinal red so its harder to find a replacement then if it was black.

    If the 'glue' holds perfectly, this may work. The portion of the section that would be visable would look perfect.
    Wow. You need a new section. Nothing else will work. A black one would be an acceptable alternative compared with having no section at all.

    (P.S. Just as a heads-up, on FPG you can edit any of your posts to add or change anything you want or spotted later. )
    Last edited by Chrissy; June 7th, 2020 at 11:31 PM.
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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    Oh crumbs, that's a big red problem (with apologies to Parker). Even if it was a much smaller repair and the glue worked, it's probably worth noting that 480 is, um, black. So it's going to show - you'd have to be embracing that Japanese thingy I can never remember the name of.

    I'll be really interested to hear what the experienced repair folks think could be possible with this one, because I can't help feeling we're getting further and further down a road where "find a replacement part" as a repair solution is increasingly going to be the least viable route for all pens.
    In the words of Paul Simon, you can call me Al.

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    As it stands, nothing will mend the pieces you have. Beyond any other problem, the outward force of a friction fit feed/nib will certainly separate it into pieces again.

    Certainly there is the hunt for a matching section, which won't be easy. One thing I would consider would be having an ebonite replacement turned. There are so many bespoke pen makers now (I won't bother making a list because you can research for nearest to where you live on your own. You can take precise measurements or send them the pieces, and they should be able to turn a replacement section without too much issue. I would probably consider sending nib and feed as well, so they can get a good fit. Since it is not original, you can be completely free to choose the look of the material. You'll have a section with which to put the pen back into working order, and then you can always continue your hunt (if you wish) for an original replacement.
    Last edited by Jon Szanto; June 8th, 2020 at 12:25 PM.
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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    This is terrible, I think that it will be a difficult repair and agree that replacement may be the best outcome, if you can find one. Even complete pens will be tough to find.

    I don't know a source of Waterman's parts but there is a UK repair person who bought a large bagful, from memory 7 kilos, of Waterman/s bits a few years ago, if you want to make contact them I will look out their email address.

    No promises but it may be worth trying.

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    Beyond repair.
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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    If it was me I would start by measuring the broken section then checking ebay for "Waterman section" to see if there was anything available that might be the right size. It's possible, if not likely, that the same sized sections were used in several pen models.

    In that way, finding a section (even if it was black) that would fit your barrel, and accommodate your nib and feed, might work.

    There are also the possibilities of asking a repairer to fix the pen, or asking someone to make you a section. I would expect to have to send off the whole pen for either of these options.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    Complete pen on ebay.fr, currently 90 euros

    https://www.ebay.fr/itm/VINTAGE-WATE...sAAOSwH3ddBTe5


    and another with a BIN at 190 euros.

    https://www.ebay.it/itm/VINTAGE-WATE...UAAOSwG21ei5fC


    The trouble, for me, would be that I am breaking a good pen to fix a pen.
    Last edited by Fermata; June 8th, 2020 at 03:27 AM.

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    I saw this on ebay.com and wondered if by any chance the measurements could match. If they did that would be an inexpensive fix.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    I saw this on ebay.com and wondered if by any chance the measurements could match. If they did that would be an inexpensive fix.

    For the cost involved it would be worth a try, you could always try and resell it.


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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    I'd put a #55 RHR section in the 45-55 dollar range.

    I currently have a 52 and a 56 but no 55.

    Usual disclaimer, your barrel might not fit the section you find, sometimes there are slight differences.

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    Default Re: Waterman #55 section cracked

    Quote Originally Posted by Farmboy View Post
    I'd put a #55 RHR section in the 45-55 dollar range.

    I currently have a 52 and a 56 but no 55.

    Usual disclaimer, your barrel might not fit the section you find, sometimes there are slight differences.
    Are your sections all completely different sizes?
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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