OLD
POST OFFICE PENS Repairs & Restoration |
   We are authorised repairers of both vintage and modern Conway Stewart pens. Repairs can be quickly arranged by contacting us. We also repair other brands and are highly skilled at precious metal, ebonite, casein, hard rubber, celluloid and resin restoration. Our repair service aims to provide a maximum of five business days turnaround (subject to imported parts availability) and a loan pen (Conway Stewart of course), is always available if you deliver your pen to us at our premises. Basic repair costs are available on request - either telephone us or email us - see our Contact Details page. More complex repairs or restorations, may in fairness (to you and us) require us to see the pen or have a discussion with you about what can be done and at what cost. Repairing a pen is to make it work again, not to sympathetically restore it to its former glory. Whilst restoration obviously includes repair, the function of restoration is to bring the pen (or other piece of writing equipment) back to its original state, as far as possible. Restoration is a complex, time-consuming and often difficult process where many hours can be spent in virtual re-creation of a writing instrument. Restoration often involves total disassembly of a pen, fabricating new parts to the specifications of the original, applying new surface finishes and sometimes, re-creating basic parts of a pen (such as a cap or barrel) from hard rubber or precious metal stocks. We employ many techniques in restoration and use our own sophisticated lathes, micro-milling machines and electroplating equipment to carry out many restoration tasks. Complex restorations of vintage pens are our specialty. Our principal repairer is a qualified silversmith by trade and has had over 35 years experience in sympathetic and accurate restoration of pens and other fine writing equipment and works of precious metal. Using original fabrication methods, we have been restoring old English silver and gold pens for many years including the delicate chatelaines and overlays of the 18th and 19th centuries for United Kingdom collectors, galleries and precious metal dealers. We undertake complex restorations of many very old English and French silver and gold pens as well as all vintage pens from the 19th and 20th centuries. Where possible, we fabricate new parts to replace those which are old, damaged beyond repair or perished beyond their working life. In terms of restoration, we aim to give vintage writing equipment a chance to be enjoyed for yet another generation. Please note that when we are requested to restore a pen we will re-plate those parts of a pen that require it. Usually, this will be the cap clip and often, levers (where fitted). Where practicable, we will remove cap bands and re-plate them if required. However, many cap bands cannot be removed and re-fitted without damage to the band or the cap. Where a cap band cannot be safely removed, we will not remove and re-plate it. Quotations
for complex repairs or restorations can be provided without obligation
provided your pen is forwarded to us at the address below or adequate
images of the item in current condition are provided. Please
see
the Packaging Instructions below. You are welcome
to visit us personally at our premises to discuss your repair needs. Sometimes, repairs and restorations produce astounding results - below an Onoto 3000 series received for restoration adapted by some poor soul with a convertor!  Packing Instructions - Pens for Repair or Restoration Please, do not send original packaging or boxes. They simply take up 'air space' which you pay for in shipping to us. Pens should be wrapped thoroughly in bubble wrap (and if more than one pen is sent, wrap them individually) and ensure that the bubble wrap package is sandwiched between something which will not bend easily - thick cardboard for instance. Use either a small box, padded post bag or Express Post bag to send the pens to us. If using a post bag, ensure the contents do not slide around the bag - use more bubble wrap to ensure the contents stay still during transit. Express Post is the cheapest method of (reasonably secure) post if you do not insure the pens you send us. Otherwise, more secure methods are Registered Post and of course, insurance for your pens which is available at extra charge from Australia Post and known as "Extra Cover". Please make sure that you insure your pens for full replacement value when shipping to us. If you expect us to insure them on their return journey, please advise us and understand that we will ask you to reimburse us for those insurance charges if you do not make your own arrangements for insurance on the return journey - see below. Whichever postal method you choose to send pens to us, will be adopted by us in returning pens to you. Please, when sending pens to us, always send us an Express Post bag or Registered Post bag (properly addressed) so we can return the pens to you. Unless you specifically request, we do not insure pens on their return journey to you. If you wish the pens to be insured when sent back to you, please pay Australia Post in advance for their insurance charges when purchasing the Express Post or Registered Post bag to be used by us for return of the pens. Old Post Office Pens P.O. Box 177 Berwick 3806 Victoria Australia Couriers or direct delivery to our premises at Berwick, Victoria is also an option. Our reception area is open from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. The street address is shown on our Contact Details page. Each pen we repair or restore is returned with a comprehensive Repair Report telling you the condition of the pen when we received it, what we did to it and what (if anything) may still need doing to it. When you receive your pens back from us, give the nib and other components time to settle down. Often, this takes two or three refills of the pen. What may look like simple 'plastic' components are in fact hard rubber components which have been cleaned. The process of cleaning hard rubber often disturbs the 'surface tension' characteristics of important components of the pen. Sometimes, a little time to re-establish the match between ink and components is required. Part of the magic of vintage pens is the interaction of good ink with the hard rubber section and feed of a pen. Always use good quality ink. Under no circumstances should drawing inks be used in pens regardless of attractive colours! In our experience, Conway Stewart and Diamine inks produce consistent results in most pens. Duties and Taxes on
Repairs: Duties and taxes may be charged by customs authorities on repairs in certain circumstances and vary by country. Please understand that duties and taxes are your responsibility. If you are unsure as to whether duties and taxes will apply to items delivered to your country, visit the World Customs Organisation at www.wcoomd.org |