Montblanc 12 And 32 Barrel Swap - Is It Possible?

May 22, 2013

I have a Montblanc 32 that has cosmetic damage on the barrel and I am thinking of swapping the barrel with a NOS Montblanc 12 barrel I have. As you can see in the picture, they appear to be the same size BUT ....

Obviously the blue plastic bit would need to be swapped as well. My dilemma is I have no idea if that is even possible without destroying either the blue plastic bit or the barrel.

1 - Is this even possible / worth doing?

2 - If it is possible, how do I remove the the blue plastic bit (knockout block? heat it first? pray to the gods?)

3 - what is the proper way to put it into the new barrel and stay?

Of course, I'm not sure how to remove the piston from the Montblanc 32 yet, but no need to worry about that if I can't swap the blue plastic bit.

OR ... if someone has an old MB 12 / 22 cap plus the bit that holds the cap in place (slipping over the blue bit, is that the clutch?) - PM me - we can probably work something out. Or if you have the right barrel from a 32 or similar with screw threads for the cap, even better.

Top in the picture is the Montblanc 32 with cosmetic damage to the barrel (other side) and bottom is the NOS Montblanc 12 barrel (yes I know it's gray, but I'm fine with a custom two-tone pen).

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/penhand/IMG_1823_zps75e6ee56.jpg

May 23, 2013

Hi Alan

You do not remove the whole blue section. So far as I know that is not possible. However it is possible to remove the blue threading. It is a collar that is not glued down, just set into the body and anchored with four little tabs. Be careful and do not force it. You could use a little heat, but a better bet might be using some water or a sonicator to loosen it. Be careful using a screwdriver. Sometimes they are loose, otherwise they need to be nudged. You can definitely do it with your fingers. Do *not* twist or you could shear off the tabs. You want to hold the blue upwards and use your thumbs to push the threads-collar up toward the narrower threaded section. Once you've done it, it will be obvious how to slide it onto the new barrel.

With regard to the piston assembly, this can be removed in one go. The whole assembly is friction fit. There is a special tool that can do this for you which you can see on Penboard.de, but it is too much to buy or replicate for one go. Have a look to get the idea. What I have done is:

- heat with a hairdryer

- get a new narrow pencil with an eraser, probably cut in half or use a modified solid chopstick

- brace the pencil upright on the table

- slide the pen barrel onto the pencil

- push down on the pencil using the pen body

- the whole assembly will slide out eventually

You can then transfer it to the other body. Do be careful when forcing out the assembly.

Good luck.

David.

May 23, 2013

David, Thanks much for the careful explanation.

I completed step 1 just fine -- you were right it just "came off" after soaking in water upright for an hour or two. My mistake was thinking the pressed in blue parts were different for each barrel when in fact they are identical.

I looked at the piston puller tool you described http://www.penboard.de/shop/hlist/MB/ACTO/0?setla=en and see that indeed the piston just presses in. I was thinking "poking" it out seemed the right try and your description confirms that. I'll heat it up and give it a try.

... reporting back ... SUCCESS!

I got a Torx T-15 from the toolbox (long shaft and fairly flat end), put a small folded piece of paper towel into the barrel against the piston to protect it, heated it with the hairdryer for 3 minutes or so on high and pushed the piston against the Torx down against the counter and "pop" out pops the barrel.

One question - should I grease the new piston with a tiny dab of silicone grease? If so, should I put grease on the piston or the inside of the barrel? I would assume the piston would be better, but suggestions from anyone are welcome.