I recently won a beautiful double-jeweled (striped) emerald pearl Parker Vacumatic with a lockdown filler on eBay. I replaced the diaphragm, and it takes a full barrel of ink, just like it's supposed to.

I filled it for the first time today, and as I was taking it for a spin, I noticed my fingers gradually getting inky. I flushed it out and filled it again with water. I discovered that there appears to be a pin-point hole at the end of threads, away from the section. It's small enough a hole that I didn't detect it when I tested the vacuum after replacing the diaphragm; it's a pretty slow leak.

I'm pretty sure any possible repair is beyond my capabilities, but is there any hope? If not, it's still a nice show piece, but I'd rather have it to write with.

I'm not sure how much more information might be required to offer a good answer. I'll see about posting photos of the pen later, but I don't think I have the setup to provide a good quality image of the trouble spot.

Thanks for any insight!

Don

You don't mention using section sealant on it when you replaced the diaphragm, did you?? If so then it would need to be filled or solvent welded closed. Should be a pretty routine fix for someone who has done this before.

Cheers,
Sean

I'm a little unclear where the hole is. Is this a break in one of the threads in the section or in the vac filler at the other end? For the vac filler threads all I ever use is Tryphon's resin-based section sealant. It's terrific stuff: sticky, waterproof, yet doesn't require heat to unscrew the filler again. You can also seal the threads of the section with this stuff or with shellac.

If you've got a hole in the barrel, that can be fixed too, but more involved....

Steve

Thanks for the replies. The hole appears to be where the section threads (for the cap) end and the barrel becomes solid.

I used a thin bead of orange shellac to secure the filler unit and the section after replacing the diaphragm.

I'm just glad to know there's a method to make the repair. I'll most likely send it out this week.

Thanks again!

Don

For the record, shellac and section sealant should not be required/used on the fillers. Makes it a bear to take them out again when it sets up. I have only had one vac that needed shellac on the filler end, and that one had a very poor sealing taper for the diaphragm to sit on.

Cheers,
Sean

I have had one or two Vacumatics with a leak in the threads, as in the threads not the barrel/section joint. They can be solvent welded, but it's not easy to do. In an extreme case on a Sheaffer Vacuum filler, I had to put new barrel threads on the barrel. I suppose that could be done on a Vacumatic. I'll have to put a picture up of the results on the Sheaffer....

Thanks again for the replies.

Good tip on the use/non-use of shellac. I'll keep that in mind for the future.

You've got it exactly, Ron. The threads themselves seem to be weeping the ink, not the barrel-section joint. I imagine it'll be making its way to you soon. I can't bear to see this pen just sitting around.

Don

wasn't my pen, but having seen the work all i can say is... waaaay impressive work.

-david