Hi,

I just got a vacumatic and am wondering how to remove the nib. It has a plastic filler so I assumed it was a late model, but there does not appear to be a removable section on the pen (which I thought only occurred on early models). Could it be that the pen was repaired, and the original filer replaced? Given the overall good condition of the diaphragm that is my suspicion.

After browsing through this forum I decided it was probably better to ask than to risk damaging the pen (I think I will be forever scared by some horrific pictures of damage done by improper techniques).

It’s probably a very obvious question, but if you have any comments on nib removal or the lack of a section I would appreciate it.

Sard

Is the section of the same material as the barrel or is the section black?

The nib and feed are friction fit in the section. If you can't get behind it and use a knock out block, you *should* be able to grip the nib and feed and work it out. It's really tough however. If you have a black section, the section is threaded, and adhered in place, either with shellac, or another adhesive. I've had good luck with strictly temperature controlled water to loosed the adhesive, then unscrew. If the section is the same material as the barrel, I'd send it out personally.

The section is black... I may try the knockout block.

Thanks

Vac nibse/feds are a notoriously tight fit, be sure to note and chalk mark the position they come out of the section, to ensure on re-installing that they go back in the same place. It can be the devil of a job getting them fully home otherwise.

et

I was just restoring a few vacs yesterday, and I found the nibs and feeds to be very tightly fit to the sections. I was successful in getting them out (and back in) by applying gentle heat by way of a heat gun. It took some time, but nothing caught fire, discolored, or melted.

Don

Heat the pen on the barrel just aft of the section until warm. Remove the section by unscrewing it, the thread is a regular right hand thread. Remove the breather tube by pulling it straight out, bending will snap it in the section where it is a major PITA to remove. Use a knock out block and punch the back of the feed out of the section with short but firm taps with a hammer. DO NOT try and drive it out in one shot, major damage will be incurred.

You can chalk mark the section to help align it for reinsertion, you can also usually see the out of round portion of the section and this is where the nib goes when re-inserting it. If you do not get this right, it will be very difficult to get the nib and feed all the way in. Also the pen will leak ink at the joint between the section and nib/feed.

Make sure that you heat the section gently, and do not over heat it. It will change shape and be a devil of a thing to get the nib and feed back into. Have good gripping devices handy, I use bicycle inner tube sections. Use one in each hand to ensure that the sharp edge on the section does not peel back the skin on your thumb (sound like I am talking from experience here??).

I usually lightly insert the nib and feed, rotating the section in my left hand until I feel the loose spot. This is where it came out from and where it should go back. I then hold the nib and feed in my right hand and heat the section (this way it is supported by the feed and will not warp as easily). Then when it is warm enough, I use the inner tube sections and push it home as hard as I can. It will usually stop at about the right place. Measure the clearance in the cap (distance from step in cap to bottom of hole in cap), compare this to the distance that the nib is sitting out of the section. If the cap depth is more than the nib is sitting out, Bob is your Uncle. IF not, heat the section and try to press it in further. If it will not move, knock it out and try again. Sometimes momentum helps to seat the nib and feed the second time around.

Apply section sealant to the threads, I usually warm this a little to make it flow better, re-insert the breather tube (don't forget this the pen will not fill otherwise) and thread it back in. Any excess section sealant, heat with a heat gun or hair dryer and wipe off with a lint free cloth. Do not use paper towel, it does not work for this.

Cheers,
Sean

BTW people there was a Vac made that had a black section on a burgundy pen that was NOT removeable. Take a look at a Ripley's Vac. My point is just because it is black it is not always removeable. Check with a loupe to make sure there is a joint. There were also removeable sections on the 1st Gen pens that were striped.

Removeable section, notice joint

Integrated section, note lack of parting line

Striped removeable section from 1st Gen OS Vac can also be found on Standards and Juniors

Ripley's integrated Black section on Burgundy pen.



Cheers,
Sean

Thanks for that Sean, the learning curve just got a little less steep.

et

One of the perks of this board - the colloquialisms from around the world. Can't remember when I last heard this one, but I'll venture it was from a limey not a canuck!

Thanks Sean (for the advice & turn of phrase)!
JJ

Dunno Buzz, I use it up here in Ottawa too!

Besides, with Bob as my brother, my kids like it as well...

Regards,

Gerry