Another restoration video? you're spoiling us, Doug, i love the look of this pen, stainless and gold plating look very nice together, needless to say another amazing restoration.
Using your videos as inspiration, I decided to try my hand at repairing / restoring old pens. As my second pen...I just cleaned and returned to service the same model pen! Lovely 45 Flighter with gold trim, just like this. It's a lovely writer. All it needed was a good clean and a light polish with very fine cut auto polish...and I was left with an excellent looking and working pen. LOVE the 45!
I used Parker 45 pens throughout my university undergraduate years in the mid ‘60s. I have five - in medium, fine, extra fine nibs, steel and gold. I still use the pens - they write perfectly after more than 50 years. I use Parker Quink in converters. Ultra smooth, great balance.
A Parker 45 was my first (and second, and third) "vintage" pen. The design is so cool, and easy to clean, service, and customise, with a decent range of nibs available. My favourite is my first, which, in my naïvety, I didn’t know had the black tailpiece broken off. Eventually, I fashioned a small domed black finial for the barrel, and I ended up with a cool compact 45. Perhaps what the Jotter could have been.
You'll have to try some of the different 45 nibs - while not as many as the endless Esterbrook selections there are more than enough for the Parker 45 - the bold, stub and oblique are quite nice
Beautiful job there. I love the aerodynamic stainless look on that model, but wish they didn’t add the ‘gold’ clip. Timeless otherwise and amazing how you rejuvenated it. You are like a fountain pen spa as well as surgeon.
It’s so elegant with the beautiful hooded gold nib! Guess I'll keep my eyes open... Meanwhile: have fun writing! Fascinating how you got out the bite marks on that Tassie! - And such a cute term for that part of the pen! 🥰 I got 2 Jotters from the 80s and today still find the feel of that brushed stainless steel very appealing! Thank you for another excellent video! 🙏
I recently got two Parker 45s, one of which unfortunately proved impossible to disassemble. They are Brazilian models, one green with silver and one blue with gold. To my surprise, the blue one (which I was able to use perfectly) actually had a medium 14k nib from the US. Unfortunately, the green one is beyond saving. The feed is broken, the aerometric converter is glued... I will save the parts to use in another 45 in the future.
Like! Previously had one with steel nib from the UK. Now I have a 45 flighter from USA with 14k gold nib as well. It came with a squeeze converter, but the sack was complete perished. Therefore I am loading it with cartridges. The only cartridges allowed on commercial flights. (Colt .45, cartridges, got it? Ha ha 😉).
@@InkquiringMindsdefinitely. Might turn back to a convertor at some point (e.g. when I’m out of cartridges, which will take a while with an EF nib 😅), but for some reason the ones I got (both genuine Parker convertors) are too loose, while they fit snug in my other Parkers.
The 45 is a masterpiece of design and a fascinating contrast in design philosophy vis-a-vis with the Lamy 2000. The Lamy is produced to aeronautical levels of QC, whereas the Parker is simplified to basics--but with first=rate materials and QC sufficient to the task. Over-engineering or ease of use and maintenance? You be the judge, but I'll take the 45. Anyway, I've never enjoyed the sloping section of the 2000. P.S. Is it possible to fill the gouges in the tassie with CA or epoxy? [Not a criticism but a query.] Excellent start to the year. Looking forward to some great shows for '25. Cheers, mate.
The CA glue in-fill is a definite repair technique. I repaired a crushed Epiphone guitar using the same CA glue/fill/file/sand/polish technique. It would be very involved to get it in an area that is so small. I think I'd need a bonnet buffer to complete it though. As it is, the flaw is noticeable under 100x magnification, but not so much to the naked eye. Thanks!
I never understood why people chewed on pen ils and pens. In any case, a beautiful quicky renovation. I know dents can be troublesome. I have a Parker silver ballpoint with a dent from my time when I used a "death grip" to hold the pen.
I have this exact parker 45, flighter in gold trims. 14k X nib (EF). Would you care to make a follow up video on how to disassemble the 45's cap? The clip of my 45 was sprung outward just a little. Was thinking to bend it back, if only i can remove the clip. Nice video btw!
That's an excellent question. I've never had the intestinal fortitude to attempt it. However, if you're interested, you should read this: www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/270923-parker-45-cap-disassembly/
As fate would have it, Doug, I am in possession of a couple of recently purchased Parker 45s that need converters, as well as other restoration processes, but I can't find the penbbs models. Parkers, yes, in a range of styles and prices, mostly higher than the pens cost me. Your suggestions are always welcome. Can you please direct me to a seller who will ship within the US? Thanks.
I don't know of any sellers that will ship these parts within the USA because they are Chinese. But this seller on Aliexpress sells the parts bag. tinyurl.com/bde7d39x
Off topic: Pelikan M800 vs. Pilot e95s -- which one writes better in your opinion? You have described both as incredibly smooth writers so I'm really curious! Thank you!
@InkquiringMinds Since they're the smoothest pens you own, please make a comparison video. I mean, you don't have to compare them directly, just talking about them in one video would be nice. Thank you!
Dear Sir and Community, Happy New Year 2025!!! I have the exact same pen down to the gold filled accents, only difference is that mine is a gold M nib. It writes beautifully but since its deep cleaning, feed is so clean that it is overly wet for the cheap notebooks I use. Would love to know how to tame its wetness!!
Another restoration video? you're spoiling us, Doug, i love the look of this pen, stainless and gold plating look very nice together, needless to say another amazing restoration.
I'm glad you're enjoying the restorations!
Been a while since I watch pen videos
I am enjoying my pen so much
Thank you so much, @houghwhite411!
Using your videos as inspiration, I decided to try my hand at repairing / restoring old pens. As my second pen...I just cleaned and returned to service the same model pen! Lovely 45 Flighter with gold trim, just like this. It's a lovely writer. All it needed was a good clean and a light polish with very fine cut auto polish...and I was left with an excellent looking and working pen. LOVE the 45!
Thanks for sharing your experience with the pen, it's inspiring!
I used Parker 45 pens throughout my university undergraduate years in the mid ‘60s. I have five - in medium, fine, extra fine nibs, steel and gold. I still use the pens - they write perfectly after more than 50 years. I use Parker Quink in converters. Ultra smooth, great balance.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I appreciate it!
You're videos are always a delight, sir. Thank you very much.
So nice of you
Nicely done, man. I own 45 and you've reminded me it needs some love.
Go for it!
A Parker 45 was my first (and second, and third) "vintage" pen. The design is so cool, and easy to clean, service, and customise, with a decent range of nibs available.
My favourite is my first, which, in my naïvety, I didn’t know had the black tailpiece broken off. Eventually, I fashioned a small domed black finial for the barrel, and I ended up with a cool compact 45. Perhaps what the Jotter could have been.
Cool mod!
I have a Parker 45 Flighter as well. I love how it writes. It doesn't have the plastic end piece, though. The entire pen is metal in silver.
Those were made between 1980 and 1989. parkerpens.net/parker45.html
I love my Parker 45 Flighter DeLuxe. Mine has the original metal converter. There must have been thousands of 45 designs over the years.
Yes, they did make lots of variations of that model!
@@InkquiringMinds , I have a few myself.
You'll have to try some of the different 45 nibs - while not as many as the endless Esterbrook selections there are more than enough for the Parker 45 - the bold, stub and oblique are quite nice
I have one of those. They are very nice writers. Nice work on the video!
Thanks! They are great pens.
Nice job, as always.❤
This video kept me company on my drive to work.
Glad it kept you company!
My Parker 45 (received as a gift in 1960 - I still have it) posts the same length as when it is capped.
Interesting! That's something I've never seen before.
Beautiful job there. I love the aerodynamic stainless look on that model, but wish they didn’t add the ‘gold’ clip. Timeless otherwise and amazing how you rejuvenated it. You are like a fountain pen spa as well as surgeon.
Thanks. There are versions with chrome hardware.
@@InkquiringMinds Yes. somehow the gold seems to have been more popular. :)
It’s so elegant with the beautiful hooded gold nib! Guess I'll keep my eyes open... Meanwhile: have fun writing!
Fascinating how you got out the bite marks on that Tassie! - And such a cute term for that part of the pen! 🥰
I got 2 Jotters from the 80s and today still find the feel of that brushed stainless steel very appealing!
Thank you for another excellent video! 🙏
Thank you G!
I recently got two Parker 45s, one of which unfortunately proved impossible to disassemble. They are Brazilian models, one green with silver and one blue with gold. To my surprise, the blue one (which I was able to use perfectly) actually had a medium 14k nib from the US. Unfortunately, the green one is beyond saving. The feed is broken, the aerometric converter is glued... I will save the parts to use in another 45 in the future.
That's a shame. I'm glad you were able to save the good one!
Like!
Previously had one with steel nib from the UK.
Now I have a 45 flighter from USA with 14k gold nib as well. It came with a squeeze converter, but the sack was complete perished. Therefore I am loading it with cartridges. The only cartridges allowed on commercial flights. (Colt .45, cartridges, got it? Ha ha 😉).
The pen is mightier than the Colt 45!
@@InkquiringMindsdefinitely.
Might turn back to a convertor at some point (e.g. when I’m out of cartridges, which will take a while with an EF nib 😅), but for some reason the ones I got (both genuine Parker convertors) are too loose, while they fit snug in my other Parkers.
Oops! It says Parker 54 in the video title.
Good catch!
Could Richard Binder’s line width PDF be posted?
Done. In the description. Richard Binder Line Width Chart (pdf):
www.richardspens.com/pdf/strokewidths2.pdf
Thank you kindly sir!
The 45 is a masterpiece of design and a fascinating contrast in design philosophy vis-a-vis with the Lamy 2000. The Lamy is produced to aeronautical levels of QC, whereas the Parker is simplified to basics--but with first=rate materials and QC sufficient to the task. Over-engineering or ease of use and maintenance? You be the judge, but I'll take the 45. Anyway, I've never enjoyed the sloping section of the 2000.
P.S. Is it possible to fill the gouges in the tassie with CA or epoxy? [Not a criticism but a query.]
Excellent start to the year. Looking forward to some great shows for '25. Cheers, mate.
The CA glue in-fill is a definite repair technique. I repaired a crushed Epiphone guitar using the same CA glue/fill/file/sand/polish technique. It would be very involved to get it in an area that is so small. I think I'd need a bonnet buffer to complete it though. As it is, the flaw is noticeable under 100x magnification, but not so much to the naked eye. Thanks!
I never understood why people chewed on pen ils and pens.
In any case, a beautiful quicky renovation. I know dents can be troublesome. I have a Parker silver ballpoint with a dent from my time when I used a "death grip" to hold the pen.
Thanks for sharing, @paulmchugh1430!
I have this exact parker 45, flighter in gold trims. 14k X nib (EF).
Would you care to make a follow up video on how to disassemble the 45's cap? The clip of my 45 was sprung outward just a little. Was thinking to bend it back, if only i can remove the clip.
Nice video btw!
That's an excellent question. I've never had the intestinal fortitude to attempt it. However, if you're interested, you should read this: www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/270923-parker-45-cap-disassembly/
Great job! Did you use some oil on the steel wool? Sometimes that works better. Thanks for the video! I can't wait until the livestream.
Great point! I'll try that.
As fate would have it, Doug, I am in possession of a couple of recently purchased Parker 45s that need converters, as well as other restoration processes, but I can't find the penbbs models. Parkers, yes, in a range of styles and prices, mostly higher than the pens cost me. Your suggestions are always welcome. Can you please direct me to a seller who will ship within the US? Thanks.
I don't know of any sellers that will ship these parts within the USA because they are Chinese. But this seller on Aliexpress sells the parts bag. tinyurl.com/bde7d39x
@@InkquiringMinds thanks. I'll check.
Off topic: Pelikan M800 vs. Pilot e95s -- which one writes better in your opinion? You have described both as incredibly smooth writers so I'm really curious!
Thank you!
That's a tough one. They are incredibly smooth but feel different. My M800 is the best pen I own.
@InkquiringMinds Since they're the smoothest pens you own, please make a comparison video. I mean, you don't have to compare them directly, just talking about them in one video would be nice. Thank you!
Dear Sir and Community, Happy New Year 2025!!!
I have the exact same pen down to the gold filled accents, only difference is that mine is a gold M nib. It writes beautifully but since its deep cleaning, feed is so clean that it is overly wet for the cheap notebooks I use. Would love to know how to tame its wetness!!
Use a drier ink like Pelikan Edelstein Topaz or Sapphire.
@@InkquiringMinds Thank you Sir! Right now I have all my pens with Parker Quink Washable Blue. That might do the trick!
No guitar intro?
I don't do the guitar on restoration videos.