Basic ‘must have’ tools for restoration

[DCmin]

There must be more than a few FPG’s out there who are into restoration. If someone with the desire (and prerequisite skills) wanted to try restoration as a hobby, what’s the first, say, 10 tools that one would need in their kit?

[Deb]

https://goodwriterspens.com/?s=Tools

Those posts will give you some ideas. I've been doing this commercially for 11 years and I still buy new tools.
TopTen
Knock out block
Section pliers
Pocket knife
Bulb
Parallel pliers
Dental pick
Small brush
Sac stretcher
Nib straightening kit
Micromesh

[Fermata]

I get a lot of use out of the four sided nail blocks, not sure of their proper name, they measure around 3 inches x1 x1 and have four grades of abrasive surfaces

A bright light, I use a little LED studio light, I had a halogen light bulb but it became so darn hot. The light sits at my elbow.

A few nib polishing stones.

Tissues and paper napkins, I suppose not really tools, along with french chalk.

Rubber bulb and a drinking straw, same purposes.

An emery board.

Loupes, 5x,10x and 20x, I find the 5x to be comfortable, I tried one of double loupes that you wear like reading glasses, horrendous things.

I was tempted by one of the nail blocks a few years ago, not a knoock out block, these were huge surgical steel things but I don't do enough nib work to justify the cost.

Bits of bicycle inner tube.

Some heavy duty tape for masking imprints.

A craft knife with some interchangeable and differently shaped blades.

[DCmin]

Thanks so much!

[Jon Szanto]

Deb covered a lot of the basics, all important tools to have. Here are a couple of others that come to mind:

* Heat source for section removal - I use a heat embossing gun that has two settings, it happens to be the same thing that Richard Binder uses. About $20 and I'm certain of controlled, steady heat source (after some practice!)
* Ultrasonic cleaner - very handy for parts that are really stuck together and general cleaning if a soak won't do. Not the first thing you need but quite handy
* Head-mount mangnifying and light source - there are many ways to do this, but if you can have some form of magnification and lighting combined, it completely frees both hands and allows for work where you need to really see what is happening. I have an inexpensive one that I put a better LED light on, but it does make some of the work a lot easier.

I only do this on a hobby level and only my pens, but I've been at it about 10 years. There are always 'needs' for new tools, but sometimes it might be for a very specific use (i.e. Vacumatic removal vises, etc) but these above add to your basic 'should have' list.

[Fermata]

It is surprising just how many tools you actually use, and how many I had forgotten.

[Deb]

Agreed, Jon. I have a Donegan Opti-Visor which is an essential for me, given my eyesight these days. I use a heat gun a lot. I have an ultrasonic cleaner but it's rarely used.

[Jon Szanto]

It is surprising just how many tools you actually use, and how many I had forgotten.

The thing is, one almost always finds themselves saying, after (successfully) using the proper tool for the first time, "why didn't I get that sooner?!" There are many tools that don't get used often but when they do, there is nothing better - they do the job right, with ease, and without damage to the object being worked on.

For instance: if you work on vintage pens, you definitely want a knockout block. I purchased a small setup from Sam and Frank at Pendemonium a few years back. Four different size holes, four punches. Enough for my needs, but it is SO satisfying to gently tap out a nib and feed, knowing that I didn't mess up anything by trying to pull them out. A simple tool, only does one thing, but man I am sure glad I have it.

[Deb]

My knockout block, inherited long ago from a restorer who was retiring. I had one of those circular metal ones. It was OK but not very stable.

[Fermata]

My knockout block, inherited long ago from a restorer who was retiring. I had one of those circular metal ones. It was OK but not very stable.

We forgot, 'a ruddy big hammer'.

[carlos.q]

We forgot, 'a ruddy big hammer'.

Dang! I have an itty-bitty hammer....

[Deb]

Plastic mallet, in my case.

[penwash]

When it comes to tools, while there are ones that have to be specific such as the Vacumatic plunger opener, there are also ones that we can fashion (repurpose) ourselves that serves the same purpose, in fact, sometimes suit the way we work better.

[DCmin]

My knockout block, inherited long ago from a restorer who was retiring. I had one of those circular metal ones. It was OK but not very stable.

We forgot, 'a ruddy big hammer'.

Aye, Laddy!! :haha

[Deb]

Used to be a screwdriver, repurposed as a tool to remove the paddle from a Swan Leverless.

[Chrissy]

I get a lot of use out of the four sided nail blocks, not sure of their proper name, they measure around 3 inches x1 x1 and have four grades of abrasive surfaces

Nib smoothing boards?

[Chrissy]

Agreed, Jon. I have a Donegan Opti-Visor which is an essential for me, given my eyesight these days. I use a heat gun a lot. I have an ultrasonic cleaner but it's rarely used.

Thank you both. This is something I ought to treat myself to.

[Deb]

Agreed, Jon. I have a Donegan Opti-Visor which is an essential for me, given my eyesight these days. I use a heat gun a lot. I have an ultrasonic cleaner but it's rarely used.

Thank you both. This is something I ought to treat myself to.

It does make life so much easier! I've had the basic opti-visor for years and I more recently bought a similar (not Donegan) one with a light but it is too heavy.

[carlos.q]

Agreed, Jon. I have a Donegan Opti-Visor which is an essential for me, given my eyesight these days. I use a heat gun a lot. I have an ultrasonic cleaner but it's rarely used.

Thank you both. This is something I ought to treat myself to.

It does make life so much easier! I've had the basic opti-visor for years and I more recently bought a similar (not Donegan) one with a light but it is too heavy.

I searched for these and found 5 models in Amazon:

1.75x magnification and 14" focal length
2x magnification and 10" focal length
2.5x magnification and 8" focal length
2.75x magnification and 6" focal length
3.5x magnification and 4" focal length

Which one would you recommend?

[Chrissy]

Agreed, Jon. I have a Donegan Opti-Visor which is an essential for me, given my eyesight these days. I use a heat gun a lot. I have an ultrasonic cleaner but it's rarely used.

Thank you both. This is something I ought to treat myself to.

It does make life so much easier! I've had the basic opti-visor for years and I more recently bought a similar (not Donegan) one with a light but it is too heavy.

I searched for these and found 5 models in Amazon:

1.75x magnification and 14" focal length
2x magnification and 10" focal length
2.5x magnification and 8" focal length
2.75x magnification and 6" focal length
3.5x magnification and 4" focal length

Which one would you recommend?

I'm hoping it's the 2.75 x 6 magnification as that looks like good value for money.