Lubricating The Piston On A Meisterstück 149

[meiers]

I do that as well. The temptation to over torque is harder to do when turning the barrel rather than the handle of a wrench.

There is a lot more feel of the pen this way...*shruggs* it works for me, and I find that I make fewer mistakes.

That makes sense. I will keep you observation in mind next time I have a go at piston lubrication.

[Chrissy]

I use "Main Street Pens" silicone grease as it's the best I've ever tried. I also add a little along the rod, not just on the piston end.

 

Also, before I start I wrap some masking or electrical tape around the top of the pen near the barrel end so that no damage can occur if the tool slips at all.

[meiers]

I like these tips. Thanks.

[niksch]

Also, before I start I wrap some masking or electrical tape around the top of the pen near the barrel end so that no damage can occur if the tool slips at all.

 

This is valuable information. DIYers, please heed this advice.

[Inkling13]

Any deleterious effects of silicone grease on MB pistons,

Modern ones in particular?

[meiers]

Absolutely none. Use a little drop around the piston. Thats all you need and want. Excessive amounts of silicone grease can impede ink flow.

Edited February 2, 2018 by meiers

[niksch]

Absolutely none. Use a little drop around the piston. Thats all you need and want. Excessive amounts of silicone grease can impede ink flow.

 

This is a fact. One does not want to any sealant, of any kind on the ink feeder.

[james3paris]

I am looking for tools for the 146 and 149. Refer to link below: Opinions on them? Experience with seller?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-146-149-Pelikan-M800-fountain-pen-piston-wrench-disassemble-tool-/263473979902?

[niksch]

These look to be near copies of versions I bought from reputable sellers in Germany. They look like they may work, if you get the item that is shown in the photos.

 

I'll just say this. I bought my MB tools way before it was popular and spent what seemed like an ass-ton of money for a little piece of steel. Those little pieces of steel have paid for themselves in multiples since I bought them. I've read about the paperclip tool, or fork tine tool, or something that has been fashioned out of tweezers. Cool, but you aren't going to be working on 50 to 100 to 250 pens or more using that.

 

Get the right tool for the job. Any mechanic or HVAC tech would tell you the same thing.

[Inkling13]

These look to be near copies of versions I bought from reputable sellers in Germany. They look like they may work, if you get the item that is shown in the photos.

 

I'll just say this. I bought my MB tools way before it was popular and spent what seemed like an ass-ton of money for a little piece of steel. Those little pieces of steel have paid for themselves in multiples since I bought them. I've read about the paperclip tool, or fork tine tool, or something that has been fashioned out of tweezers. Cool, but you aren't going to be working on 50 to 100 to 250 pens or more using that.

 

Get the right tool for the job. Any mechanic or HVAC tech would tell you the same thing.

I would be lucky to see 250 MB pens in my lifetime let alone service them...

[CS388]

I am looking for tools for the 146 and 149. Refer to link below: Opinions on them? Experience with seller?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-146-149-Pelikan-M800-fountain-pen-piston-wrench-disassemble-tool-/263473979902?

 

It looks pretty good.

 

No experience with this seller, but feedback is decent and he/she seems to have sold many tools and parts to fit MB pens - including replacement brass spindles and pistons.

 

If I had the cash, I'd prefer to buy the German tools, but this is a fraction of the price (plus shipping, of course).

Then again, with modern CNC techniques, I see no reason why decent tools couldn't be churned out at this price.

 

Let us know if you get one.

Good luck.

[james3paris]

 

It looks pretty good.

 

No experience with this seller, but feedback is decent and he/she seems to have sold many tools and parts to fit MB pens - including replacement brass spindles and pistons.

 

If I had the cash, I'd prefer to buy the German tools, but this is a fraction of the price (plus shipping, of course).

Then again, with modern CNC techniques, I see no reason why decent tools couldn't be churned out at this price.

 

Let us know if you get one.

Good luck.

I ordered two of the tools, for piston and nib assembly. I will let you know what I think once I get them.

[james3paris]

 

Get the right tool for the job. Any mechanic or HVAC tech would tell you the same thing.

+1

[niksch]

I would be lucky to see 250 MB pens in my lifetime let alone service them...

 

I've probably serviced about that many in over 12-13 years, so its really not a large number. And, it's not a business for me,so I never kept track.

Edited February 4, 2018 by niksch

[Inkling13]

I've probably serviced about that many in over 12-13 years, so its really not a large number. And, it's not a business for me,so I never kept track.

maybe one day then!

[meiers]

I will use Vaseline next time.

[Erik Dalton]

What I find to be best for me, is I don't turn the tool. Once I've got the two little lugs in place and screw the cap down to secure it, then I rest the cap end on my chest (with the cap on) and turn the entire pen keeping the tool stationery. I found that when I was turning the tool to loosen or tighten, then it would occasionally slip.

I use the same method. Snug the wrench down tight to the fill cap. Turn the barrel not the tool.

Doing it this way, the wrench is going to stay in place not slip in and out of pin holes. Also I find that I’m less likely to over tighten while turning the barrel. It’s too much of a temptation for me to torque down on the wrench.

[Erik Dalton]

These look to be near copies of versions I bought from reputable sellers in Germany. They look like they may work, if you get the item that is shown in the photos.

 

I'll just say this. I bought my MB tools way before it was popular and spent what seemed like an ass-ton of money for a little piece of steel. Those little pieces of steel have paid for themselves in multiples since I bought them. I've read about the paperclip tool, or fork tine tool, or something that has been fashioned out of tweezers. Cool, but you aren't going to be working on 50 to 100 to 250 pens or more using that.

 

Get the right tool for the job. Any mechanic or HVAC tech would tell you the same thing.

I too spent lots of money on wrenches for pistons and wrenches for nib assemblies corresponding to different years and models that the pens were manufactured. Ive used them for over 10 years. They have never failed me and ive Done a lot of pens.

Ive seen these Chinese copies. Some have written that they work well and are a fraction of what I paid for mine. Not having tried one, I Cant say much about them. Just make sure you get the right wrench for your model and year of manufacturing.

 

By the way I looked over the Ebay posting. I think you should be specific as to what model and year pen that you need a wrench for when ordering. Not all are the same. some have different alignment of wrench pin holes. Also, A metal TWSBI wrench from a 580 or Vac 700, works just fine on the piston of a Pelican M-800 / 1000

 

Nicely done Meiers. Good step by step photos. Lots will learn from this.

[chunya]

It would be nice to get some feedback on those tools .... I bought one a few years back from a UK based Ebay seller for a 'reasonable price', it has paid for itself, but the quality was certainly not the best. One of the 'lugs' (?) has started to bend easily and even visibly worn. I probably wouldn't buy the same one again and the seller doesn't seem to be stocking them anymore.

[thygreyt]

I am looking for tools for the 146 and 149. Refer to link below: Opinions on them? Experience with seller?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-146-149-Pelikan-M800-fountain-pen-piston-wrench-disassemble-tool-/263473979902?

 

Those are the tools i have, and the seller i bought it from!

It took about a month to get it in, and now i can service ALL my montblanc pens, and swap nibs around with no risk at all!

 

Edit: people are mentioning Quality of the tools. To be honest, i have no complaints. They look like stainless steel machined parts... The force required to take the pens apart (materials being plastic, metals and resins) are not so high that they would bend the stainless.

 

Either way, they work and i do not have to send my pens for service level 1 ($100 per pen per service!?)

 

A photo of my pens, all serviced, and the tools

 

 

Edited September 14, 2018 by Reed_thoughts