I am working on a group of non-working Sheaffer Snorkels, and have come across a couple with a particular issue with the Snorkel tube. Most of the tubes I have seen have a short extension of the secondary feed past the tube itself on the end that goes into the section. I have a couple where the secondary feed is flush to the tube, like possibly the piece sticking out was broken off. My question is, will this effect the proper operation of the tube?

Oh, one other question. Also have another Snorkel tube that appears to have been squeezed too hard on the feed end (looks like a football now instead of a circle!) Do you think the tube is usable if I gently reshape it to its original tube shape? (assuming the secondary feed is intact and the slits are open)

Thanks Much! Phil

You may have flow problems with the secondary feed broken off inside the sac. I suspect also that the nib won't drain back well, either, causing occasional flooding. I'd try one in a personal pen before selling one with a broken feed!

I don't think it will affect the orientation in any way, they don't seem to rotate around inside.

If you can get the flattened one nearly round, so that it doesn't drag inside the feed, it should work -- it will have to be quite close to normal shape to move easily in the feed. The trick is going to be to get it round again. Remove the secondary feed whilst working on it, you don't want to break that bit of hard rubber.

Peter

Would heating be in order? I haven't had to reshape a Snorkel tube, but since stainless steel is so prone to work-hardening, it seems like trying to press it (cold) back into shape could result in a diamond-shaped cross section.

-- Brian

Phil:
Why not just take another snorkel and replace it . Not that hard to do. Measure the depth it needs to go into the section before pulling the old one out. Heat up pull out the old one and then insert the replacement using some shellac to hold it in place.Let set over night before doing anything else with the snorkel.I have done this several times with no problem. Also you want to orientate the tube so the slit in the top front ill be towards the nib. This is no problem on the tubes with the angle cut front end they only look right one way. The flush cut tubes are the ones have to pay attention to slit.
Ron Meloche