Twsbi Mini Removing Nib/feed

[AHoppy]

The lip around the feed holder cracked on my fine nib for my TWSBI mini. Fortunately, I contacted TWSBI and they were able to send me a brand new feed holder, free of charge. Wonderful, exactly what I wanted. When I asked for how to then replace the feed holder, I was told you just had to pull and wiggle it out (so friction fit). Well, after probably an hour of trying that and sore fingers, it hasn't budged. And i'm starting to bend some of the fins on the feed. So, anyone had to do this and if so, any advice? I know earlier I did a cursory search of FPN and couldn't find anything on this. Also, the lip around the nib/feed is now completely gone from my efforts in trying to remove it, so I don't have that to help me (or hinder...)

[TheModernGent]

Does this help

 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qiK-M1N_pLY

Edited June 10, 2014 by TheModernGent

[serpent]

have you screwed the nib holder into the pen for leverage? I think Mr Brown has a youtube video showing how to pull the nib and feed.

at :47 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOoJiqGRukk

Edited June 10, 2014 by serpent

[AHoppy]

Well, keeping it attached to the pen worked much much better. My fingers hurt, but it's out

[AHoppy]

So here's what I'm learning from owning this one TWSBI, and I haven't seen this anywhere else: The TWSBI comes TIGHT. Everything on it is screwed down tighter than it actually needs to be. I remember the first time i tried to take the section off, it was screwed on quite tight and I tried to replicate that whenever I did it in the future which is probably what caused it to crack in the first place. For a company who has issues with cracking from over tightening, I have found that they come initially tight, which is confusing. Don't get me wrong, Love the customer service and the the brand, but I think some issues could be avoided by tightening things properly at first...

[itsvroomvroom]

AHoppy, did you have to do anything else to remove the nib and feed besides attaching the unit to the pen body?

[AHoppy]

You have to twist it a bit to get it loose. Not a whole lot, but even though it looks like it is keyed to go in one way, it can be twisted. But putting it into the body did give me enough leverage

[itsvroomvroom]

Ah, I see. Was anything destroyed in the process, or did everything remain in tact when you removed the nib and feed?

[AHoppy]

Everything remained intact except the already broken holder. But that was because it was already cracked and my first attempts were quite unsuccessful. I did bend some fins on the feed, but I don't think there was any lasting damage

[itsvroomvroom]

Okay, thanks for the tip! I just tried that now with my TWSBI Classic (same nib unit) and it came out after covering it with a rubber band to give some extra grip! It should be much easier to clean now.

[AHoppy]

Good! Glad it worked. It really was a lot harder than I expected. Oh, and welcome to FPN!

[itsvroomvroom]

Yeah, it was very hard to do. And thank you!

[Twigg79]

This is great information everyone. Thank you for providing links and tips!

 

I've been intimidated with regards to changing out my nibs for both of my TWSBI's (eco and mini) but will have to give it a try with my mini. The literature that came with the eco - if my memory serves correctly - suggested that it was not ideal to disassemble the pen if at all possible.

 

We shall see!

Best of luck everyone

 

~*Twigg*~

[scunepo]

Just fitted a new feed to my Mini. Thanks to the advice in this thread it worked like a charm. The FPN is THE place for considered information and advice about fountain pens, ink and paper thanks to the wonderful contributors.

[TSherbs]

This is great information everyone. Thank you for providing links and tips!

 

I've been intimidated with regards to changing out my nibs for both of my TWSBI's (eco and mini) but will have to give it a try with my mini. The literature that came with the eco - if my memory serves correctly - suggested that it was not ideal to disassemble the pen if at all possible.

 

We shall see!

Best of luck everyone

 

~*Twigg*~

 

yeah, the feed fins are soft and can be damaged, and the plastic is on the brittle side (the Eco). The Mini has a nib unit that is meant to be unscrewed to be exchanged. Why bother to swap the nibs between these two pens? Do you dislike one of the pens that much? Is one of the pens broken?