Advice request- lubricating a Pelikan M800 refill mechanism.

Hello,
I have an M800 that is about a year old. I bought it after reading a
number of opinions in this group, for I wanted a single do-it-all pen.
I am very happy with it and would like to thank all those whose
contributions proved so useful.

One thing, however, is that the refill mechanism seems to be getting
quite stiff. I was wondering, therefore, if there might be some way of
applying lubrication. If so, then what sort of substance, and how might
it be applied? Being all fingers and thumbs I woudn't trust myself to
take it apart. Might a drop of thin oil be applied, or could this leak
through somehow or possibly damage either casing or seals?

Any advice is appreciated. And thanks again to all who steered me
towards buying an otherwise marvelous pen.

Best wishes,
Tony

notmeGuv wrote:

One thing, however, is that the refill mechanism seems to be getting
quite stiff. I was wondering, therefore, if there might be some way of
applying lubrication. If so, then what sort of substance, and how might
it be applied? Being all fingers and thumbs I woudn't trust myself to
take it apart. Might a drop of thin oil be applied, or could this leak
through somehow or possibly damage either casing or seals?

This has been covered numerous times and all it needs is some silcone
grease applied with a Qtip inside the barrel. Unscrew the nib assembly
for access. Somw people use silcone spray, but the grease is probably
better. There is no questions these otherwise OK Pelikans have a defect
in this regard as most all seem to need this all to frequent lube job.
Compared to vintage piston fillers that could go 50 or more years with
nary a problem nor or a lube. Frank

I'm one of the "spray" people, but if you do decide to use silicone
spray, make absolutely sure you check the label first for petroleum
distillates (bad). My own choice for silicone spray is Plasti-Kote
"Spray-Slik Silicone No. 290." Near the top of the back label is the
following: "The absence of oil, grease, or wax residue permits unlimited
use for automobiles, homes, marine[,] and industry." I've used this
stuff for years on my Pelikans including the old 100Ns and it's worked
great. I also have grease which ISTR I purchased from Father Terry, or
maybe Pendemonium, can't remember which, but for me the silicone spray
is just a lot more convenient.

Every time I mention silicone spray, I thank David Nishimura
(http://www.vintagepens.com) for alerting me on one of the FP BBs long
ago to the unsuitability of silicone with petroleum by-products, and I
will do so again now.

I have this very same problem with my Mont Blanc 149 and Hemingway.
They're so stiff I'm afraid to use them for fear of breaking them.
I've heard that MB nibs require a special tool to remove the nib and
feed. Being a pen repair newbie, I don't want to damage the pen trying
to pull them out. Thanks for the silicone spray recommendation.

Ed


In article , notmeGuv
wrote:

Hello,
snip
One thing, however, is that the refill mechanism seems to be getting
quite stiff. I was wondering, therefore, if there might be some way of
applying lubrication. casing or seals?


snip
Best wishes,
Tony

Ed wrote:

I have this very same problem with my Mont Blanc 149 and Hemingway.
They're so stiff I'm afraid to use them for fear of breaking them.
I've heard that MB nibs require a special tool to remove the nib and
feed. Being a pen repair newbie, I don't want to damage the pen trying
to pull them out. Thanks for the silicone spray recommendation.



You heard semi-wrong. They are NOT pulled out. While MB does have a
tool the majority of MBs 149, 146, etc nibs unscrew in exactly the same
manner as Pelikans, of for that matter Eterbrooks. With 19 out of 20
simple finger pressure is all you need.

No such nib should EVER be unscrewed unless really necessary as the
possibility of misalignemnt or other damage is real, althouigh very
unlikely, at least to someoen who knows how to well, don't take this
wrong, but unscrew and replace a lightbulb. But even lightbulbs can get
stuck in the socket, break while being unscrewed, and so on. Frank