How to replace an Esterbrook Sac

[FarmBoy]

I replaced my first Esterbrook sac yesterday thanks to the info in this post. Thank you!

 

My pen had been restored just a few years ago. Not sure why the sac failed. But, thankfully, getting the section out was very simple. I do have a question, however. I got some traces of shellac on the section. Can I safely use alcohol to clean it up (being careful, obviously, not to get any alcohol on the nipple/shellac/sac area)? Is regular isopropyl alcohol OK?

 

Thanks!

 

Matt

The section of an Esterbrook J is made from hard rubber. It is safe to get some alcohol on it but it can cause the HR to fade but will not damage it structurally as it might an acetate barrel.

If you want to remove some shellac you can use mineral spirits.

[mtbradley]

Very helpful. Thanks all!

[SpecTP]

thanks to the instructions, I was able to open my first Estie J. Soaked the section and top pen in hot water and was able to pull it loose. I cleaned out the old brittle sac and am waiting for the new sac to arrive to install it.

[PithyProlix]

May I ask, please: I understand that a size 16 sac is appropriate for an Esterbrook J but I wondering if a 15, or even 17, would work?

[JonSzanto]

On 10/7/2021 at 11:32 PM, PithyProlix said:

May I ask, please: I understand that a size 16 sac is appropriate for an Esterbrook J but I wondering if a 15, or even 17, would work?

A narrower sac (the 15) will always work, and the 17 is likely to work. The simple way to test is to just drop the sac into the barrel - it should slide right out when you turn the pen over (i.e. not snug to the sides). Smaller just means a drop or so less capacity, but if you get the sac too large, it might stick to the wall (be sure to use talc) and also pick up a bit of your hand warmth and possibly burp (the small gap of air acts as an insulator. 16 is the optimum commonly accepted, but you can try the others, no harm will be done.

[PithyProlix]

26 minutes ago, JonSzanto said:

A narrower sac (the 15) will always work, and the 17 is likely to work. The simple way to test is to just drop the sac into the barrel - it should slide right out when you turn the pen over (i.e. not snug to the sides). Smaller just means a drop or so less capacity, but if you get the sac too large, it might stick to the wall (be sure to use talc) and also pick up a bit of your hand warmth and possibly burp (the small gap of air acts as an insulator. 16 is the optimum commonly accepted, but you can try the others, no harm will be done.

 

Thanks for the info! 

[gweimer1]

On 10/8/2021 at 2:32 AM, PithyProlix said:

May I ask, please: I understand that a size 16 sac is appropriate for an Esterbrook J but I wondering if a 15, or even 17, would work?

 

I have gotten to the point where I just measure each pen as I do it.  I am finding that the 17 is a more common (and better) fit than the 16.  I've had a couple of Dollar pens that ended up using a 20 sac.

 

The best way, for me, to size a sac is to check if the sac fits in the barrel freely (or with relative ease) and then see if the sac fits on the nipple and looks right.  A too small sac will eventually wear out at the nipple from the stress.

[cat74]

Just replaced a sac on an Esterbrook M2 

Fairly easy. I had a donor pen where the metal sleeve was loose. A size 15 sac and a little shellac and done!!

A nice blue one to add to my collection