Am about to do my first couple Vac repairs having accumulated a couple nice striped duofolds( imho a very beautiful $50-75 vintage pen).
so my questions are:
1. all the removal blocks about the same?
2. do you really need some special tool to help get the pellet in?
3. Chances of barrel cracking when removing the plunger? Is this straightforward or tricky?
any other tips for a newbie?
thanks as always. BTW I am very competent on sac repairs and general easy stuff. Just a Newbie to this Vac business!
Full Version: Vac repair Tools
As someone who has done more than a few of these over the last couple of months let me attempt to answer your questions....
I am sure that if I make a mistake Ron Zorn or Richard Binder will chime in to correct me.
1. all the removal blocks about the same? ~ IMO No... when I was looking for a Vac block I went to Ron Zorn for advise and he advised me to purchase the Vac Wrench that Fountain Pen Hospital sells... both he and Richard use it... that is good enough for me... I have yet to have a problem with it... HOWEVER, be advised that there are two sizes, the standard and the larger on.... You will get along fine with just the standard for 90% of the Vacumatics you find.
2. do you really need some special tool to help get the pellet in? ~ Again NO... I use a small metal rod that I ground the end to a taper, the full diameter is just under the size of the sac and allows me support to roll the sac back over itself for installation.
3. Chances of barrel cracking when removing the plunger? Is this straightforward or tricky? ~ There is always the chance of cracking the barrel. I don't care how experienced you are, and I am sure Ron and Richard will agree... the big difference they have a lot more experience and can feel things I still don't.
If you need to use heat to get the filler out, do it gently... too much heat can cause all kinds of problems with the stacked celluloid. Also make sure that the pressure point for unscrewing the filler is as close to the filler end of the barrel as you can get... DO NOT hold the barrel half way down and try to unscrew the filler unit.. you are asking for problems from the torque.
Basically the biggest problem you will get is finding that the sac has stuck to the barrel due to age and being rotten. I generally use the same rod I use to insert the pellet (only the other end) and insert it from the section end of the barrel and push until the rottel sack then comes free and the filler pops out..
4. any other tips for a newbie? ~ YES, one very important tip... if at any time what you are about to do to your pen makes you in any way feel uncomfortable or at any time you feel you really are not sure about how to do what you want to do STOP IMMEDIATELY and ask for help or send it to someone who has done this work before.... I am not saying that it can not be done by anyone with normal skills (HECK, I can do so anyone can).... but it does take some practice and patience. You are better off learning on an a cheap Vac (yes they are around) than on a decent pen you want as a reall keeper.... Who knows that cheap Vac might end up being a gorgeous writer despite the scratches and worn imprint...
I am sure that if I make a mistake Ron Zorn or Richard Binder will chime in to correct me.
1. all the removal blocks about the same? ~ IMO No... when I was looking for a Vac block I went to Ron Zorn for advise and he advised me to purchase the Vac Wrench that Fountain Pen Hospital sells... both he and Richard use it... that is good enough for me... I have yet to have a problem with it... HOWEVER, be advised that there are two sizes, the standard and the larger on.... You will get along fine with just the standard for 90% of the Vacumatics you find.
2. do you really need some special tool to help get the pellet in? ~ Again NO... I use a small metal rod that I ground the end to a taper, the full diameter is just under the size of the sac and allows me support to roll the sac back over itself for installation.
3. Chances of barrel cracking when removing the plunger? Is this straightforward or tricky? ~ There is always the chance of cracking the barrel. I don't care how experienced you are, and I am sure Ron and Richard will agree... the big difference they have a lot more experience and can feel things I still don't.
If you need to use heat to get the filler out, do it gently... too much heat can cause all kinds of problems with the stacked celluloid. Also make sure that the pressure point for unscrewing the filler is as close to the filler end of the barrel as you can get... DO NOT hold the barrel half way down and try to unscrew the filler unit.. you are asking for problems from the torque.
Basically the biggest problem you will get is finding that the sac has stuck to the barrel due to age and being rotten. I generally use the same rod I use to insert the pellet (only the other end) and insert it from the section end of the barrel and push until the rottel sack then comes free and the filler pops out..
4. any other tips for a newbie? ~ YES, one very important tip... if at any time what you are about to do to your pen makes you in any way feel uncomfortable or at any time you feel you really are not sure about how to do what you want to do STOP IMMEDIATELY and ask for help or send it to someone who has done this work before.... I am not saying that it can not be done by anyone with normal skills (HECK, I can do so anyone can).... but it does take some practice and patience. You are better off learning on an a cheap Vac (yes they are around) than on a decent pen you want as a reall keeper.... Who knows that cheap Vac might end up being a gorgeous writer despite the scratches and worn imprint...
Tom,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply to my questions. The puller is already ordered from FPH. Your explanations are very clear although I do have a further question in regards to #3.
You say, Also make sure that the pressure point for unscrewing the filler is as close to the filler end of the barrel as you can get...
I assume you mean by this to grip the barrel as close to the filler as possible "on both sides" ? By this I mean on the outside with the puller tool butted up against the barrel. and on the nib side as close to the filler as possible. Is this correct?
also the mechanism is threaded- correct, so you unscrew the filler mechanism-- i assume reverse, ie clockwise?
Again thanks so much. I will also take your advice and prowl Fleabay for a cheapie to try on ( hopefully you'll be sleeping when i swoop in for that cheapie, otherwise I fear your ebay instincts will automatically take over
)
Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply to my questions. The puller is already ordered from FPH. Your explanations are very clear although I do have a further question in regards to #3.
You say, Also make sure that the pressure point for unscrewing the filler is as close to the filler end of the barrel as you can get...
I assume you mean by this to grip the barrel as close to the filler as possible "on both sides" ? By this I mean on the outside with the puller tool butted up against the barrel. and on the nib side as close to the filler as possible. Is this correct?
also the mechanism is threaded- correct, so you unscrew the filler mechanism-- i assume reverse, ie clockwise?
Again thanks so much. I will also take your advice and prowl Fleabay for a cheapie to try on ( hopefully you'll be sleeping when i swoop in for that cheapie, otherwise I fear your ebay instincts will automatically take over
)
QUOTE(framebaer @ Jan 24 2007, 06:05 PM)
Tom,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply to my questions. The puller is already ordered from FPH. Your explanations are very clear although I do have a further question in regards to #3.
You say, Also make sure that the pressure point for unscrewing the filler is as close to the filler end of the barrel as you can get...
I assume you mean by this to grip the barrel as close to the filler as possible "on both sides" ? By this I mean on the outside with the puller tool butted up against the barrel. and on the nib side as close to the filler as possible. Is this correct?
also the mechanism is threaded- correct, so you unscrew the filler mechanism-- i assume reverse, ie clockwise?
Again thanks so much. I will also take your advice and prowl Fleabay for a cheapie to try on ( hopefully you'll be sleeping when i swoop in for that cheapie, otherwise I fear your ebay instincts will automatically take over )
Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply to my questions. The puller is already ordered from FPH. Your explanations are very clear although I do have a further question in regards to #3.
You say, Also make sure that the pressure point for unscrewing the filler is as close to the filler end of the barrel as you can get...
I assume you mean by this to grip the barrel as close to the filler as possible "on both sides" ? By this I mean on the outside with the puller tool butted up against the barrel. and on the nib side as close to the filler as possible. Is this correct?
also the mechanism is threaded- correct, so you unscrew the filler mechanism-- i assume reverse, ie clockwise?
Again thanks so much. I will also take your advice and prowl Fleabay for a cheapie to try on ( hopefully you'll be sleeping when i swoop in for that cheapie, otherwise I fear your ebay instincts will automatically take over
)Right on both counts... just be careful and think before you do anything...
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