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Crack In Pilot Custom 823


joeld

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My beloved Custom 823, the only pen I use, has somehow started leaking ink just above the thread where the cap screws on. Upon close inspection, I found a crack had developed there:

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/5786264341_439419fc75_z.jpg

(Click image for larger sizes on flickr)

 

I am utterly at a loss to know how that crack got there, there was no drop or impact that I can recall in the last few weeks. The main question is how to fix it. Should I attempt something with rubber cement? Would Pilot customer service be of any use? If so, how would I contact them?

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Hi I think you should contact the Pilot service centre through their website or through the dealer you bought the pen from...

 

Was the pen ever disassembled for a cleanup?

 

Best

hari

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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I unscrewed the top part of the pen (just above the gold ring) for the first time ever last night in an attempt to figure out what was going on. (It took me forever to find the crack, even though it is easy to see in the close-up photo. The crack really is tiny, plus the pen and ink are both black.)

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Definitely call the service center and find another pen to use in the meantime.

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I did send it in and got an email on Monday that they'd received it. No word yet! I really hope they can fix it. Cost me a pretty penny four years ago and I can't imagine writing with anything else.

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Hear back this morning! They are replacing the barrel and nib for free. I asked for a quote on a new cap (the current one got chipped when I dropped the cap on a tile floor while writing with the pen) and they quoted me $83. All in all I'm very pleased with their service. The hardest part will be waiting 3 months for my pen!

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Hi, nice to hear that Pilot are honorably taking care of this. BTW did they say why do they need to change the nib?

Edited by hari317

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I got it back already last Friday! Much earlier than anticipated. Works beautifully.

 

No they didn't say why they needed to replace it. As far as I can tell they replaced the whole pen except for the cap. I wonder if the original pen had some kind of defect that caused the crack to develop. In any case I'm very glad to have it back in action. World's best writer, in my opinion.

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Few months ago I sent my Pilot 823 to Japan, same problem, a crack on barrel for a mint pen after 3 months uses, I expected a repair or replaced barrel under guarantee, but the seller sent me that...

Hi Rene

 

 

Today I have got your pen repaired from Pilot

 

 

It cost $40USD for the repair charge

 

 

And the shipping by EMS will be $15USD

 

 

So the total amount is $55USD

 

Sorry for so late but pilot repair center takes time as it is full busy with lot of research and repairement...

/////

Well after that,

it seems this will be my last japanese pen if the company has not honored guarantee...

:angry:

Best Regards all,

René.

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  • 3 years later...

Wish me luck. About to send mine in after the top of the cap (seems to be screwed down into a piece above the blind cap) broke off. I was on a train and found the top part of the cap and the clip but not the gold ring. Very depressed.

 

Graham

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  • 1 year later...

Wish me luck. About to send mine in after the top of the cap (seems to be screwed down into a piece above the blind cap) broke off. I was on a train and found the top part of the cap and the clip but not the gold ring. Very depressed.

 

Graham

similar situation here - i found a hairline crack on cap, looks like it reached the edge, but i can't see anything when turn the cap around and looking at the edge perpendicularly. contacted Pilot Australia (pen was bought from Japan), and they ask me to send it over and they will forward it to Japan for repair (replace?), overall timing will be 8-12 weeks. not sure how much they will charge me for shipping.

 

HaiPing

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  • 3 weeks later...

reply from Pilot Australia received today:

 

Thank you for your photo – it is such a fine crack, we did find it hard to see.

I have been in contact with our repairs department at Pilot Corporation Japan.

To replace the cap only with a new cap, the price is JPY 6600. Which equates to approximately AUD $78.00.

Our marketing manager suggests a payment of $100 which would include the postage via overseas courier to have the new part sent to us.

Let me know if you would like to proceed with this purchase of a new cap for your pen.

I can then advise you of payment options.

I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Regards,

Pilot Pen Australia

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  • 2 years later...

Apologies for resurrecting this old thread! But I wanted to share my experience with the same problem:

 

Pilot held my pen for about a month without responding, then offered to repair for for $200. I let them know that other people had the same exact problem with cracks and that it seemed like a problem with 823s, but they refused to budge.

 

Needless to say I was extremely disappointed with their response. Any suggestions on how to proceed?

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So depressing. My experience was great -- they put my pen back together with no cost or hassle. Seems like they should take a crack even more seriously. TWSBI replaces any cracked items immediately at no cost. Pilot is better than this.

 

Graham

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Apologies for resurrecting this old thread! But I wanted to share my experience with the same problem:

 

Pilot held my pen for about a month without responding, then offered to repair for for $200. I let them know that other people had the same exact problem with cracks and that it seemed like a problem with 823s, but they refused to budge.

 

Needless to say I was extremely disappointed with their response. Any suggestions on how to proceed?

 

Ron Zorn is pretty good at plastic repair. No plastic repair will ever be as strong as the real thing, but I doubt he'd charge you $200 for it. Hell, you could buy a whole new 823 for like $220!

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Ron Zorn is not however so excited about working on these. I went round and round with one a few years ago. Part of the problem is the outward pressure on the barrel caused IIRC, by the 0-ring. The crack would open up, or a new one would appear. As I remember, I ended up sealing the pump in with my thread sealant instead of depending on the 0-ring. Beautiful pens, but with that unfortunate weakness.

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Visit Main Street Pens
A full service pen shop providing professional, thoughtful vintage pen repair...

Please use email, not a PM for repair and pen purchase inquiries.

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Ron Zorn is not however so excited about working on these. I went round and round with one a few years ago. Part of the problem is the outward pressure on the barrel caused IIRC, by the 0-ring. The crack would open up, or a new one would appear. As I remember, I ended up sealing the pump in with my thread sealant instead of depending on the 0-ring. Beautiful pens, but with that unfortunate weakness.

 

Mm, I see. I've been planning on buying one soon - I'll disassemble it and seal it properly as soon as I get it then!

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Disappointing so see the same problem being reported by many users, but even worse is the poor attitude from Pilot. I've been saving for an 823 for months, but this just changed my mind. :mellow:

Will work for pens... :unsure:

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Amanda - in spite of my poor experience with Pilot, I'm actually planning to purchase another 823.

 

The nib is beyond incredible, the filling mechanism is a wonder, and the pen just exudes quality. And in spite of my preference for more modern designs, I still like the look of it. I'd be sad if this report dissuaded you from getting an 823 because you'd really be missing out!

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