My newly acquired Parker 51 Vac FP and MP set is a beauty. Unfortunately, the mechanical pencil is not working. The part which propels the lead is not moving in and out.

Is this something which can be repaired? ... by me? Any reference sources on pencil repair as we have for pens?

Thanks for any direction that might be out there.

Is the pencil the propel-repel (twist) type or is it the click type?

The pencil is the propel-repel (twist) type.

That's good! The propel-repel mechanism is easier to work on than the click mechanism which has a clutch and all kinds of other "stuff".

Your problem may be as simple as a piece of lead stuck in the tip of the pencil. See if you can unscrew the metal tip from the pencil (a piece of rubber can help give you a grip). Then work the mechanism to see see if it extends as it should. If so, you may be able to push the stuck piece of lead out with a pin. In extreme cases, you'll need to drill it out with a small drill and a pin vise.

If the mechanism doesn't work, you may be able to take one from a junker pencil. I don't know if vac pencil guts will fi, they mightt. There were design changes along the way, and variations even within the 51 line.

Thanks Ron. I've got the mechanism out of the body. The mechanism pin pushing and pulling where the lead would be was not moving and was stationary at the from of the mechanism. I could see it. I punched it back with a fine drill, but the thingy in the mechanism doesn't seem to be moving the propeller when the mechanism barrel is turned while holding the nut shaped thingy in front.

I plan to probe the innards with piano wire to see if a lead jam is the problem. Otherwise I'm looking for a replacement mechanism that will fit or can be adapted to the pencil body.

Thanks for you observations. Not that I've been able to connect yet, but is a Syracuse meet on your schedule?

Regards,
Richard

Yup, sounds like something is jammed inside, or broken. I have taken these apart, but it's a royal pain!! Unless you have time to play, look for a replacement.



I doubt that we'll be able to do it before the Ohio show. I'm swamped with repairs to be done before the show, and David is likely to be out of town until then. We'll have a two week window before Long Island.

You sure know your "yup". The tiny nub on the piece that propels the lead and that engages the internal helix(?) was deformed and was not engaging the helix thingy. Was able to reshape it so that it would engages. Reassembled, it holds and makes the lead go in and out. Amazing - especially since posting a WTB in the Marketplace at your previous suggestion.

Expecting to replace the mechanism I took the time and played. After succesively more agressive exploration probing, prodding, and hammering the innards of the mechanism came out and how it all worked became evident.



Thanks for the mentoring.

I know the "yup" all too well.

I have a Parkette pencil that would not work, took it apart and found the same thing you did. Except that it couldn't be pounded back into shape. I made the part out of a piece of brass shim stock. I just wouldn't have the time today to do that. But the pencil works, and I still have the set.