Sheaffer 350 With Slightly Loose Section

[corgicoupe]

I have a Sheaffer 350 [Creaftsman, I think it's called] on which I replaced the sac. I had to soak the pen to get the section out, but now it's not very snug fitting. When I wipe the nib after filling, the section will actually turn in the barrel. Is this something I need to fix, or should I just live with it? I cannot see any indications of a crack in the barrel, so it's just not a snug fit.

 

BTW, what does the number 3 mean on the nib? The nib has some flex, and all I can see are "Sheaffer's", the number "3", and "Made in USA". Is it a gold nib or plated steel?

[RyanM]

If it was a Gold nib, it would generally say so. I believe (and correct me if I'm wrong) the number 3 on the nib demonstrates the size of the nib. If you hear of a size 6 nib, you know it will be very big, so on. With your sac, if it falls out, try and secure it by rotating it in the section. If it does not fall out, just make sure ink flow is constant, as a loose sac can limit flow.

[kirchh]

I have a Sheaffer 350 [Creaftsman, I think it's called] on which I replaced the sac. I had to soak the pen to get the section out, but now it's not very snug fitting. When I wipe the nib after filling, the section will actually turn in the barrel. Is this something I need to fix, or should I just live with it? I cannot see any indications of a crack in the barrel, so it's just not a snug fit.

 

BTW, what does the number 3 mean on the nib? The nib has some flex, and all I can see are "Sheaffer's", the number "3", and "Made in USA". Is it a gold nib or plated steel?

 

The nib is gold. Nibs of that era generally were not marked as to gold content. Sheaffer's 3 nib was a small, relatively thin nib used on some lower-strata pens in their line.

 

The simplest solution to your problem is to cut a strip of ordinary paper and wrap it around the tenon of the gripping section to act as a shim. The strip should not quite overlap itself -- you don't want a high spot. That should snug things up in a completely reversible manner. Use good judgment when pushing the section home; if it's extremely tight, use thinner paper.

 

Let us know how your situation progresses.

 

--Daniel

[corgicoupe]

 

The nib is gold. Nibs of that era generally were not marked as to gold content. Sheaffer's 3 nib was a small, relatively thin nib used on some lower-strata pens in their line.

 

The simplest solution to your problem is to cut a strip of ordinary paper and wrap it around the tenon of the gripping section to act as a shim. The strip should not quite overlap itself -- you don't want a high spot. That should snug things up in a completely reversible manner. Use good judgment when pushing the section home; if it's extremely tight, use thinner paper.

 

Let us know how your situation progresses.

 

--Daniel

I will try that tomorrow. Thanks for the info on the gold nib. A neighbor gave me this pen after he picked it up at a garage sale. I really like the way it writes, and I use it most of the time for writing genealogy notes.

[kirchh]

If it was a Gold nib, it would generally say so. I believe (and correct me if I'm wrong) the number 3 on the nib demonstrates the size of the nib. If you hear of a size 6 nib, you know it will be very big, so on. With your sac, if it falls out, try and secure it by rotating it in the section. If it does not fall out, just make sure ink flow is constant, as a loose sac can limit flow.

 

As noted, the nib is gold.

 

The OP stated that the section was loose in the barrel, not that the sac was loose on the section nipple. If a sac is loose on the section nipple, rotating it will not address the problem; either the sac needs to be cemented properly, or it's too large in diameter, though again, that's not the problem under discussion here.

 

--Daniel

[corgicoupe]

 

As noted, the nib is gold.

 

The OP stated that the section was loose in the barrel, not that the sac was loose on the section nipple. If a sac is loose on the section nipple, rotating it will not address the problem; either the sac needs to be cemented properly, or it's too large in diameter, though again, that's not the problem under discussion here.

 

--Daniel

Correct. I used a thin coat of shellac to cement the #16 sac to the section nipple. It's just the section that is a bit loose in the barrel. No wobble, just that is rotates too easily. I think I have some 1 mil platinum foil that will do the trick. Something left over from my dissertation many years ago.

[kirchh]

Correct. I used a thin coat of shellac to cement the #16 sac to the section nipple. It's just the section that is a bit loose in the barrel. No wobble, just that is rotates too easily. I think I have some 1 mil platinum foil that will do the trick. Something left over from my dissertation many years ago.

 

I recommend paper; it has just a bit of compressibility, which can contribute to a snug fit without undue outward pressure on the barrel. It's also generally available in a typical home in a variety of thicknesses, so you can select an appropriate weight. But you can try the platinum foil and see if it serves the purpose; it will probably be the most expensive section shim yet used. Tinfoil is also an option if the shim needs to be very thin.

 

--Daniel

[Roger W.]

Tinfoil is actually aluminum now days, just saying . I agree with some type of paper being a good route to go though I don't see many sections that are loose but, it does happen.

 

Roger

[corgicoupe]

I thought about the compressibility issue later, and I agree that paper is a better idea.