Duofold Pencil Repair

[SRCollins]

I am in need of some repair information. I have an early 1990's Duofold mechanical pencil that is in need of a new mechanism. The pencil has seen minimal use and is in mint condition but the mechanism became locked and will not turn. I sent the pencil to Parker and was told that they no longer have the 9 mm mechanisms that was used in this pencil. I have already contacted a number of the notable fountain pen experts and have had no success in finding anyone to repair this piece. Does anyone know of someone that has parts for this model pencil? Thanks

[SRCollins]

This is a follow-up to my original post regarding repair to this pencil. Parker had returned this pencil unrepaired with no explanation. I sent an inquiry as to why and was told there were no parts. There was supposed to be an explanation of this with the pencil but there was none. I was also told there was a list attached of off-site repair options but there was none. another e-mail secured this list but either these people had retired from repairing pens or they just could not help me. I was getting a little frustrated so I decided to tackle this myself. I sent an e-mail to Parker asking for a parts list/schematic so I could see the parts breakdown but was told no such thing existed. I took it apart myself and this is what I found. Unlike the older Duofold Mechanical Pencils this tip does not screw into the barrel. It is attached to and is held in place by the mechanism. There is a Chrome tube that is cuped at the top that holds the eraser. This tube travels down the barrel and encases the Brass Mechanism. It tappers down at the point and slips tightly over a collar on the lower part of the mechanism. It is the tension of that fitting that allows for the turning of the mechanism and the ejection of the lead. What had happened is a materials failure in the Chrome had produced a splitting of the tube at this tappered location and there was not sufficient tension to allow for the tube to turn the mechanism. So I made a piece to fix this problem, re-assembled the pencil and presto. Just like new. I really do not know why the service personel at Parker could not have figured this out but I suspect that the reason has more to do with the fact that since becomming part of a multi-nation corporation there is not much in for them to put themselves out for anything even when it is something this expensive. All of their pens are now being made in France. Probably in that same facilty that procuces the Waterman procucts. Back in the mid 90's I had sent in a Blue Duofold Fountain Pen because I found that I did not like the Caligraphy nib that was on the pen. They swapped the nib at no charge and because of that I bought another 12 to 15 more Parker Duofold products. I was not expecting this pencil to be repaired at no expense but I was disappointed to find such apathy.

[Mike 59]

Hi, I don't own anything of the quality or value of your pencil, but I would imagine that the service dept, in France or wherever, wouldn't try to repair a component, but would replace as many components as would be needed to sort out the fault, maybe one or more.

So I would guess that they just don't have the parts in stock now.

The response you get will depend on the length of guarantee, and I do worry about the 'lifetime' warranties I read about, is there a person sitting in a room, waiting for pens to arrive, to fix?

Also how can it be worth it to them to repair a $10 pen? But a Duofold is a different matter, and I would have expected a better reply, even if only a full explanation.

I would do what you have done, do it yourself. When I get a new pen or pencil, I have to take it apart, I must know how it works !

Of course many faults cannot be fixed by the user at home, but that won't stop me from trying.

Edited February 27, 2012 by Mike 59

[c8lin]

Hi SRCollins, I have had the exact same thing happen to my pencil. Can you please tell me how you "made a piece to fix this problem"? I would be very grateful! Or, can you suggest where I can get my Duofold pencil repaired? Thank you!

[adg31]

On 10/24/2014 at 5:14 AM, c8lin said:

Hi SRCollins, I have had the exact same thing happen to my pencil. Can you please tell me how you "made a piece to fix this problem"? I would be very grateful! Or, can you suggest where I can get my Duofold pencil repaired? Thank you!

Sorry to resurrect a long dead thread but my 1992 Parker Duofold Pencil recently suffered exactly the same failure as above and I have just been informed by Parker that their Lifetime Guarantee isn't worth the paper its written on.

I've now disassembled the pencil and was interested if anyone has any information they could possibly share about how they repaired their pencil before I come up with my own solution.

Thank you in advance for any help you are able to give.