Waterman 3 clip replacement

[RobHarding]

To keep it short and sweet, I have a few Waterman 3 pens and as it seems their clips often breaks or are missing. I have a matching waterman pencil with intact clip, in theory I could use the clip to replace the missing one on the fountain pen. Issue is of course I could also destroy the only intact clip I own.

I wonder, does anyone have any experience replacing these clips, if so how? Thanks

[GlenV]

Those 3's are pretty pens but poor clip design for sure, as in the juniors. Often broken or missing. There were at least 2 styles of clips used,

the one with 2 pins/rivets at the base of the clip, or the type that has bent tabs inside the cap, which are more common.  I am not a pro so for me the riveted ones are easier grind off the tops of the rivets works although removing inner caps is something I don't like to do, for a user pen one can drill new rivet pin holes and insert new pins into the hard rubber blind cap partway too, holds nice and strong with epoxy or ca glue.   I make mine out of brass wire shaped  with a file or similar.  the preferred method for a restoration would however be removal of the inner cap and can bend the pins or prongs from the other type of clip from inside the cap and add a bit of glue/epoxy and replace inner cap the glue will keep the clip from wiggling after it dries. I fabricated a clip for one not too long ago, but hardly worth the time, effort, ect I would think for others.

[RobHarding]

Hi Glen,

Thanks for sharing, I think I will leave it without a clip for a while until I source an old no.3 for repairs and then nab that clip. The Waterman pencil is in perfect condition and I just can't get myself to ruin it. I suppose at some point it will make a good set.

 

Regarding the no.3's inner cap, how does one remove it? Is there a tool designed for the purpose?

 

Regards,

Rob

[GlenV]

I like the number 3's too bad the clip design was poor and Waterman didn't stick with it that long.  Celluloid pens are usually strong enough to remove the inner cap safely with a "inner cap remover tool"  it makes me nervous though as I'm often dealing with bhr pens and I fear damage as has often been encountered from others trying this.  There are threads here on how to do this, I have a homemade one but am afraid to use it.  They are basically a screw type puller that either icuts threads into the inner cap or expands to grip the inner cap, like a gear puller, that has a washer at the cap edge to pull against.