Stubbern Esterbrook Refuses To Cooperate And Get's Bent Out Of Shape About It

July 4, 2014

Yes, the title says it all.

Decided to tackle some pen issues while celebrating Independence Day and what do I do? I do this!

Had a total of three to figure out. Thankfully, the kind folks @AndersonPens helped me out over Twitter. Upon getting to the last pen, I noticed it was extremely stubborn to remove the bottom from the barrel. Gave it a little more heat and...well, I guess it was a little too much heat. That and my Herculean strength clearly contributed to this.

So, my obvious question is...can I fix this using the methods described in this forum -- via the use of a small metal bar to straighten it out? Also, if heat won't make this nipple/nib/feeder combo to pop off, what will?

July 4, 2014

Gracious me! That's rough!

I'm sorry I can't contribute to how you might be able to fix it, but I do hope you will get it fixed!

July 4, 2014

Is that a lever filler?

July 4, 2014

Gracious me! That's rough!
I'm sorry I can't contribute to how you might be able to fix it, but I do hope you will get it fixed!

Thanks...sure is! I'm willing to work on it in a more gentle form.

Is that a lever filler?

Yes, it sure is.

July 5, 2014

Instead of trying to get the section out if the barrel, try taking the barrel off the section.

January 7, 2023

@washingtonian, forgive me for resurrecting this old thread, but I have just done something similar to a formerly working SJ. Did you find a good fix to your problem?

January 7, 2023

Sadly Esterbrook barrels and caps generally are not worth the heroic efforts of plastic restoration. A few rare exceptions can certainly be found in Esterbrook land.

Consider the barrel a great source of parts you will probably need soon.

FB

January 7, 2023

On 7/4/2014 at 10:24 PM, FarmBoy said:

Instead of trying to get the section out if the barrel, try taking the barrel off the section.

This actually made me laugh out loud. (I had not seen this thread before.)

January 28, 2023

On 1/7/2023 at 4:49 PM, es9 said:

This actually made me laugh out loud. (I had not seen this thread before.)

It's true. The section is more rugged, so you want the majority of the pressure there. Then, you can work the barrel better, without as much risk to the barrel.

January 28, 2023

I think the great Otis Redding has the solution to all your problems:

But it's all so easy
All you got to do is try
Try a little tenderness
Yeah
All you got to do is, man, hold her when you wanna
Squeeze her, don't tease her, never leave her
Get to her, got, got, got to try a little tenderness, yeah, yeah
You got to know how to love her, man

January 29, 2023

4 hours ago, gweimer1 said:

It's true. The section is more rugged, so you want the majority of the pressure there. Then, you can work the barrel better, without as much risk to the barrel.

I had assumed @FarmBoy meant that as a joke, but I agree re pressure on the section, if pressure is really necessary. I find gently rocking the section after a little heat is usually an effective and safe method. In terms of heat, I don’t think much is necessary at all — just enough to make the material a little more forgiving.