How can I bring the clip closer to the cap?

[GirchyGirchy]

Hi,

 

Recently I purchased a mini-collection of Esterbrooks. While the clips all seem to be tight, on a few the bottom of the clip is not anywhere near tight against the cap. So there's nothing to keep tension on when it's in a pocket.

 

Is there a safe and easy way to get that to bend, or should I attempt disassembly? Some of them need new sacs anyway, so I might need to do an Estie repair day.

 

Any tips would be appreciated!

 

Brian

[antoniosz]

Here is what I do:

 

 

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3818.jpg

Lift up the clip slightly with a key or a piece of wood (better).

Make sure that you put the key (or whatever support you use) so that the

kink in the clip lines up with the outer edge of the key. In other words try to make sure

that it bends back exactly where it was bend before.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3819.jpg

Press down a bit.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3820.jpg

If you pressed too much...

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3821.jpg

Turn around and press down

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3822.jpg

Presto!...

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3823.jpg

Edited June 23, 2007 by antoniosz

[Rabbit]

Excellent! I need to try that. One of my favorite LJ pens has a clip that I wish were a tighter, and I probably have a few more like that too. It's nice when I'm putting it in a thick pen pouch, but if I put it in my shirt pocket, I worry that it might fall out of my pocket.

 

--Stephen

[Taki]

Thanks Antonios for the instruction with photos, I was able to fix my dollar pen's clip!! Also thanks to GirchyGirchy for bringing this subject up.

[MrSnrub]

Many thanks antoniosz, I tried this last night with my grey Esterbrook SJ, and it worked great!

[antoniosz]

I am glad it worked for all of you.

Credit needs to be given to Andreas Lambrou who has shown this trick with Parker 45s on PT couple of years ago.

I tried it on Esterbrooks and it worked great!...

 

Also because couple of people asked my back channel I made a note of the article regarding where exactly where to put the key or

whatever support you use.

[dwwst12]

That's a great visual display, thanks!

 

What about a pen where there's no actual kink or bend in the metal, but it's just "sprung," and it doesn't press tightly against the cap? Is there an easy fix for that?

Edited July 2, 2007 by dwwst12

[antoniosz]

You can push lighter but in multiple places or you can place a screwdriver very close to the edge.

[Brian Anderson]

Very nice pictorial Antonios!

 

Thanks!

Brian

[rawin]

I just now found this article but I had the same problem with my Montgrappa Reminiscence. I didn't like to fix it myself as the material is made of silver so I took it to a Jewelry store today where a goldsmith fixed it for free.

 

My initial thought was to heat the clip and then to use pressure imposed by rubber bands. Would this have worked too?

[funzoneplanet]

Excellent thread! This thread will come in handy should I ever spring a cip on one of my fp's.

[Brian_Cooney]

I just now found this article but I had the same problem with my Montgrappa Reminiscence. I didn't like to fix it myself as the material is made of silver so I took it to a Jewelry store today where a goldsmith fixed it for free.

 

My initial thought was to heat the clip and then to use pressure imposed by rubber bands. Would this have worked too?

 

 

I would think that enough heat to make the metal actually act any differently might not be so good for the plastics.

[gillyohan]

Just got an Estie SJ in the mail today and used this technique to fix the clip. Simple, yet effective. Now to find a way to align the tines.

[Jwolf24601]

Brilliant! I just repaired my cross century ballpoint, thanks so much for this info!

Edited June 24, 2010 by Jwolf24601

[freddy77]

Thanks for the fantastic help. I am just starting to attempt my first Esterbrook repairs/restorations and I thought I wouldn't be able to do anything with the clip. Instead, this is what I was able to do, and quite easily at that. Again, thanks!

 

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy333/freddy77mac/Fountain%20pens/P1010931.jpg http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy333/freddy77mac/Fountain%20pens/P1010937.jpg

[adyonka]

Thank you so very much for this how-to guide. It worked beautifully on my silver/gray Esterbrook LJ.

[srfcasey]

This was great! I fixed the clip on an old red Estie J I am repairing! Worked beautifully!

[corgicoupe]

I had one that was loose, but had no obvious bed. I used a cylindrical Piece rather than a flat key and moved it along the length of the clip to get it snug to the cap.

[discopig]

Here is what I do:

 

 

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3818.jpg

Lift up the clip slightly with a key or a piece of wood (better).

Make sure that you put the key (or whatever support you use) so that the

kink in the clip lines up with the outer edge of the key. In other words try to make sure

that it bends back exactly where it was bend before.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3819.jpg

Press down a bit.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3820.jpg

If you pressed too much...

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3821.jpg

Turn around and press down

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3822.jpg

Presto!...

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DSCN3823.jpg

 

Thanks for the tip, it fixed two of my esterbrook's clips that were way too loose.

[pennut]

Thanks for the suggestions on this thread. I just fixed the clip on one of my Parker vacs. I used a letter opener instead of a key and placed a thin piece of paper under the clip against the pen to prevent any chance of scratching the pen body. Worked great!!!!