Pelikan Piston Removal Rod

February 8, 2012

Hey everyone,

Just wondering where to find a rod to knock out the fricton pistons of the vintage 400nn and 140 pistons. Or if someone knows a homemade fix please let me know. Thanks so much.

February 8, 2012

I think an old wood knitting needle would do. You might have to shorten it and make sure it is dull and flat, not pointy where it gets in contact with the piston. The larger the diameter the better, so that it won't move and slide when you hit it. A bamboo chopstick can do it too. A good quality chopstick can be very useful tool.

February 8, 2012

Hey everyone,

Just wondering where to find a rod to knock out the fricton pistons of the vintage 400nn and 140 pistons. Or if someone knows a homemade fix please let me know. Thanks so much.

Below is a method that I also posted here. I never use 'knocking rods' to remove these piston mechanisms. I find it difficult to believe that you can 'knock out' the piston without harming the mechanism. Because the internal diameter of the section is not as wide as the internal diameter of the barrel, you are also not able to insert a rod with a top surface that is sufficiently wide for an optimal 'piston push'.

This is the method that I used without any problem to more than 5 dozens of these pens:

Soak the back part or the complete pen in warmish (not hot) water for a while (few hours or a day). Wipe the outside of the pen dry to have a good grip on barrel and piston knob. I found it important that the barrel remains warm, so do not allow it to cool off. Grip the barrel firmly with one hand and grip the piston knob with the other hand (thumb and index finger). Pull gently but firmly. You normally feel the mechanism moving a little bit. When you continue pulling, the mechanism will be released from the barrel.

Be careful: do not use too much pulling force on the piston knob as this can ruin the threads connecting the knob to the piston mechanism. So if the mechanism does not move readily, allow it to soak for some time more in warmish water.

For reinstalling the mechanism, put the barrel again in warm water a while to allow the barrel to warm up. Push the mechanism firmly into the barrel.

Edited February 8, 2012 by joris

February 9, 2012

My tool is made out of a secrewdriver with 5,5mm diameter rod.

The was tip sawn off to create a flat contact surface and a rubber disk glued in.

I agree soaking is a good first and necessary step.

However I understand that the key is to warm the barrel and not the inner assembly so I bring in the hair dryer (remember too hot for your fingers, too hot for the pen...).

Tapping gently on the workbench should be enough, no need for heavy knocking.

February 13, 2012

A thread from a german forum covering this question . . .

German spoken only

Features a nice graphic too!

Klaus

February 13, 2012

A thread from a german forum covering this question . . .

German spoken only

Features a nice graphic too!

Klaus

Zollinger there is FPN member Christof here.

October 30, 2019

an interesting contraption for removing Pelikan pistons now on ebay - object n. 163920410466

November 3, 2019

Hi all,

Attached a picture of my "combined" piston removal tool I've made me a few years ago.

The tool can alternatively be used for removal of piston -unit the first generation "precious resin" Montblanc 149 on which the piston unit was press fitted in the barrel, or - after installation of the transition screw- be used for piston unit removal of the vintage Pelikan 400, 120 & 140 pens.

Holding the tool housing in your left hand and turning the actuating knob with your right hand - or vice/versa - one screws the pusher rod in and gently pushes the piston unit out .

Heating the barrel end over length of 30mm up to 50° C facilitates an easy removal.

best regards,

Francis

November 4, 2019

Hi all,
Attached a picture of my "combined" piston removal tool I've made me a few years ago.
The tool can alternatively be used for removal of piston -unit the first generation "precious resin" Montblanc 149 on which the piston unit was press fitted in the barrel, or - after installation of the transition screw- be used for piston unit removal of the vintage Pelikan 400, 120 & 140 pens.
Holding the tool housing in your left hand and turning the actuating knob with your right hand - or vice/versa - one screws the pusher rod in and gently pushes the piston unit out .
Heating the barrel end over length of 30mm up to 50° C facilitates an easy removal.
best regards,
Francis

Lovely. Thanks for sharing Francis. Different from the MB tool which pulls the knob.

November 4, 2019

A slightly different question: I have a 400 which works, but on which the piston mech appears to have come out a bit so there's a 4mm gap that never closes. Do I need to knock out the piston mechanism before reinserting it, or might I get lucky heating/soaking and then just pushing it back in?

November 4, 2019

A slightly different question: I have a 400 which works, but on which the piston mech appears to have come out a bit so there's a 4mm gap that never closes. Do I need to knock out the piston mechanism before reinserting it, or might I get lucky heating/soaking and then just pushing it back in?

Heating up the barrel end to 50°C over a length of 25- 30 mm will allow you the push the filler back in

Heat-up, grip the barrel firmly in your right end, and brusquely push on the filling knob with the palm of your left hand.

Wishing you success !

Francis