Monteverde Threaded Converter Disassembly?

[jaysongo]

Hello, does anyone know if it's possible to disassemble a Monteverde threaded converter? I'd like to add a ball agitator to it but don't know if it's advisable to start pulling it apart without checking. Thanks.

[tinta]

I have a Montegrappa threaded converter that sure looks like a Monteverde converter on the Goulet's web-site (probably both are made by Schmidt in Germany).

Basically they look like a Schmidt international converter( K5) that has male threads molded onto the bottom of its barrel.

 

I have just gripped the chrome ring with a neoprene glove with one hand & used the other sticky glove to steady the barrel.

It took a bit of coaxing, but the chrome collar unscrewed. Some sticky compound on the threads crumbled away as I unscrewed the ring.

At this point I could pull out the plunger, just like on a regular Schmidt K5 converter.

Now you can put in your agitator as long as it isn't a cannon ball.

 

I usually add a cannibalized ball from an international cartridge into all my K5 converters. You lose a bit of ink volume, but the ink flows better.

I would put a tiny dab of silicone grease onto the male threads at the back, before you assemble the ring back onto the converter. After assembling this converter it is wise to always check that its chrome collar is on tight.

 

I had one Sailor converter leak from the back because its ring was not on tight. Always check when you fill your pen.

 

[tinta]

There is a keyed plastic ring that has to fit two U-shaped cutouts in the barrel. Make sure that the keyed ring fits these cut outs & it slides to the bottom before you screw back the chrome collar. Test the action of the plunger. Then you can install your converter into your Monteverde.

Hope this works for you.

[tinta]

"Jaysongo", I do not want to lead you astray. If you have the clear plastic Monteverde converter, my method may or may not work.

It all depends whether you can unscrew the back collar.

Which one of these do you have? http://thewritingdesk.co.uk/showproduct.php?brand=Monteverde&range=converters&cat=spares

(No affiliation with the Writing Desk)

[jaysongo]

Hi, thanks for all the information and advice. I have the threaded Monteverde converter with the black knob (the one at the bottom of the link page). If I understand you correctly, you are saying that disassembly will most likely work on my converter since it is similar to the Montegrappa converter, which you have successfully taken apart, and is not the Monteverde converter with the clear turning knob?

Edited March 10, 2015 by jaysongo

[jaysongo]

Just wanted to add an update and say that I was able to disassemble my Monteverde converter. It actually came apart very easily since I don't think the collar was glued in. I just wrapped rubber bands at either end and twisted. I did add some silicon grease to the plunger and the threads. I was less successful adding an agitator because the plastic ball I cut out of a spent Sheaffer cartridge, I think, is too light for use in this particular converter. I sticks to the silicon grease the plunger has spread, and I didn't put much grease on it at all. I'm going to look for a metal alternative for an agitator, possibly a spring from an old ballpoint.

Edited March 11, 2015 by jaysongo

[tinta]

I would advise against applying any amount of silicone grease on the plunger ring itself, or in fact anywhere inside the tube of the converter.

The converter is not a large diameter tube piston filler & there is little room in there.

The only place I would put a tiny, tiny, tiny dab of grease would be on the outside threads at the rear of the converter, taking care that the grease is thinly distributed on the outside threads & that the grease does not get into the tube of the converter.

In a dry converter tube, the little plastic/glass ball can bounce around just fine without getting caught. These the little balls may seem light, they are able to move around surprisingly well & do their job.

Edited March 11, 2015 by tinta

[jaysongo]

Thanks, I'll refrain from greasing the piston seal in the future and see how it works.