Montblanc 342 Disassembly

[I like mango cheesecake]

I have this pen, the MB 342;

 

http://cdn3.volusion.com/rvbga.avcnm/v/vspfiles/photos/V-MB34black-2.jpg

 

 

Does anyone know if the blind cap can be removed to remove the piston for lubrication? I know that there is a tool to remove the nib and feed, but I wondered if there is any way of getting at the barrel and/ or piston for lubrication from the blind cap end.

[slippery when wet]

yes you can open from the blind cap end, sample below is a 344, should be the same as your pen

Sorry for the poor quality of images, taken on the fly

Edited October 19, 2014 by slippery when wet

[I like mango cheesecake]

how did you get yours open? I tried to twist it off but was afraid of snapping it off.

[slippery when wet]

only grip the knurled section, you will tend to grip the barrel due to the narrowness of the knurling, but keep at it, once you are on the right area, it should turn quite easily.

Don't force anything, gentle but direct pressure on that knurling. It should be anti clockwise from memory.

Edited October 20, 2014 by slippery when wet

[slippery when wet]

Also a warning about the section, I think from memory the section and barrel are one, not 100% sure, maybe someone can confirm this.

Keep in mind the nib should unscrew from the section, so there is no need to explore or tamper with the section

Edited October 19, 2014 by slippery when wet

[talkinghead]

Also a warning about the section, I think from memory the section and barrel are one, not 100% sure, maybe someone can confirm this.

Keep in mind the nib should unscrew from the section, so there is no need to explore or tamper with the section

 

Correct!!!

 

 

Rick

[Paul Raposo]

I used a rubber cork which has a hole through it, (used in wine making,) and used that to get a grip on the knurled edge on the 342 I disassembled and cleaned this past summer. It helped me to squeeze the knurled ring and the blind cap and open it all up, without opening the blind cap or doing any damage to the pen. Also a bit of heat from a hairdryer made opening go smoothly. But not too much heat.

 

http://paulspenscanada.blogspot.ca/2014/09/montblanc-342-oblique-broad-from-1950s.html

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21aT%2BFTzDBL.jpg

[entertainment]

I just got a 342 where someone had tried to remove the piston with a pair of pliers, so all the knurling was stripped away.

 

After soaking and ultrasonic treatment, I cut some very thin strips of blue masking tape, and wrapped them where the knurling had been. The piston came out quite easily, surprisingly easily. This technique might also be helpful where the knurling is intact, because it allows for an easy grip in the right place.

Edited October 7, 2015 by entertainment

[GeoffMartin]

My technique for removing the piston in a 342 is the following:
- Unscrew the blind cap all the way, and then back in a quarter turn or so (just to allow for a little play in the rotation for the next step)

- Wrap a thin strip of bicycle inner tube around the threaded part that was just revealed. Wrap it counter-clockwise (looking at the blind cap) so that it tightens during the next step.

- Unscrew the piston assembly using the rubber grip that you just wrapped around the threads.