Inner Cap Puller

This tool is used to removing inner caps from the cap of a fountain pen.  Most fountain pen caps have an inner cap to keep the nib and feed from drying out.  The inner cap seals them inside the cap.  Typically, an inner cap has one side open and the other side closed, though sometimes both sides of an inner cap are open. Inner caps usually need to be removed to replace the clip.

This inner cap puller has 6 different diameters of collets to remove different sizes of inner caps. Sizes of the outer diameter of the collets included are:
0.199 inch (4.84 mm)
0.237 inch (6.01 mm)
0.280 inch (7.10 mm)
0.313 inch (7.92 mm)
0.360 inch (9.12 mm)
0.419 inch (10.61 mm)

HOW IT WORKS: 
You choose one of the size of expanding collet to fit the inner size of the inner cap you are working on. You then expand the collet by tightening the thumb screw, shown of the left of image 3.  This action draws the trapezoidal collet expander into the hollow, split adjustable collet.  This causes it to expand and lock into the inside of the inner cap. 

Dale highly recommends cleaning and lubricating the cap.  Ideally by using an ultrasonic cleaner followed by heating the cap up with a pen warmer. This makes removing the inner cap much easier and more likely that you will be successful. 

Steps (seen in Image 4):
1. Turn lever A counter clockwise.  This allows the collet to go all the way in.
2. Turn Thumbscrew B tightly clockwise.  This will draw the trapezoidal collet expander into the collet and locks the collet into the inner cap.
3. Turn Lever A clockwise.  This pushes the cap to the left while it rides on the roller/washer combination.  This protects the lip of the cap you are working on. 

Note: Like most pen repair tools, this tool can cause damage if used improperly.  This tool may not work every time.  The cap can be damaged by over rightening the adjustable collet expander.