I took apart an aero 51 today because the nib was misaligned with the tip of the hood. How does one ensure that the nib is aligned correctly when the hood is replaced? Does the orientation of the nib, feed, and collector have to be changed? If so, how would that be done? Thanks
-Robert
Full Version: Parker 51 Nib Alignment
QUOTE (wvbeetlebug @ Jul 11 2008, 09:46 PM) 
Thank you. That's very helpful. Do you know how one goes about removing the collector and feed, though. I tried pulling on them, but didn't know if they needed heated again or not. They didn't move with the pressure I was using, so I didn't try really hard.
Also, I see you live in Morgantown. I actually live in Bridgeport, but I go to WVU, so I listed my location as Morgantown.
I do not know how to remove the collector and feed. I know that the fins are quite delicate so be careful. If you do a search hear for disassemble or something of that nature there are several folks that have posted how to do it. I'm just too afraid to mess with it.
I am actually in Winston-Salem. Gotta love that PRT though!
I am actually in Winston-Salem. Gotta love that PRT though!
You want to clean the nib, feed and collector to soften the dried ink. Either a cycle through an ultrasonic cleaner, or an over night soak will do it.
If the collector is tight in the pen, don't force it. You want to heat the pen (not the collector) a bit then twist the collector as if you were unscrewing it. If you need to, use a grippy pad (like a piece of the thin mesh carpet pad). To avoid breaking the collector, don't use pliers. You can warm the collector to twist the nib and feed out of the collector.
When you put the pen back together, note where the hood is in relation to the tip of the nib. Take it off, rotate the collector, put it on again, note the position, take it off again and adjust. You'll find that it takes several attempts to get the hood lined up with the nib and feed. You want to use shellac to seal and secure the hood, and you'll find that the shellac acts as a lubricant as you tighten the hood down. Don't make it too tight to avoid risking introducing stress cracks in the edge of the hood.
If the collector is tight in the pen, don't force it. You want to heat the pen (not the collector) a bit then twist the collector as if you were unscrewing it. If you need to, use a grippy pad (like a piece of the thin mesh carpet pad). To avoid breaking the collector, don't use pliers. You can warm the collector to twist the nib and feed out of the collector.
When you put the pen back together, note where the hood is in relation to the tip of the nib. Take it off, rotate the collector, put it on again, note the position, take it off again and adjust. You'll find that it takes several attempts to get the hood lined up with the nib and feed. You want to use shellac to seal and secure the hood, and you'll find that the shellac acts as a lubricant as you tighten the hood down. Don't make it too tight to avoid risking introducing stress cracks in the edge of the hood.
Ron, I noticed that was the way the most would do. I remember someone selling a Nib remove tool for the P51. Have any thing to do with that? and Are there a better way to alight the Nib, feed to the pen. Tks for your input.
QUOTE (Ron Z @ Jul 12 2008, 02:14 AM)
When you put the pen back together, note where the hood is in relation to the tip of the nib. Take it off, rotate the collector, put it on again, note the position, take it off again and adjust. You'll find that it takes several attempts to get the hood lined up with the nib and feed. You want to use shellac to seal and secure the hood, and you'll find that the shellac acts as a lubricant as you tighten the hood down. Don't make it too tight to avoid risking introducing stress cracks in the edge of the hood.
QUOTE (wvbeetlebug @ Jul 11 2008, 10:04 PM)
I do not know how to remove the collector and feed. I know that the fins are quite delicate so be careful. If you do a search hear for disassemble or something of that nature there are several folks that have posted how to do it. I'm just too afraid to mess with it.
I am actually in Winston-Salem. Gotta love that PRT though!
I am actually in Winston-Salem. Gotta love that PRT though!
Sorry, I didn't even looked at where you lived. I just assumed from the PRT and the WV in your name. Slight oversight on my part.
QUOTE (Ron Z @ Jul 11 2008, 10:14 PM)
You want to clean the nib, feed and collector to soften the dried ink. Either a cycle through an ultrasonic cleaner, or an over night soak will do it.
If the collector is tight in the pen, don't force it. You want to heat the pen (not the collector) a bit then twist the collector as if you were unscrewing it. If you need to, use a grippy pad (like a piece of the thin mesh carpet pad). To avoid breaking the collector, don't use pliers. You can warm the collector to twist the nib and feed out of the collector.
When you put the pen back together, note where the hood is in relation to the tip of the nib. Take it off, rotate the collector, put it on again, note the position, take it off again and adjust. You'll find that it takes several attempts to get the hood lined up with the nib and feed. You want to use shellac to seal and secure the hood, and you'll find that the shellac acts as a lubricant as you tighten the hood down. Don't make it too tight to avoid risking introducing stress cracks in the edge of the hood.
If the collector is tight in the pen, don't force it. You want to heat the pen (not the collector) a bit then twist the collector as if you were unscrewing it. If you need to, use a grippy pad (like a piece of the thin mesh carpet pad). To avoid breaking the collector, don't use pliers. You can warm the collector to twist the nib and feed out of the collector.
When you put the pen back together, note where the hood is in relation to the tip of the nib. Take it off, rotate the collector, put it on again, note the position, take it off again and adjust. You'll find that it takes several attempts to get the hood lined up with the nib and feed. You want to use shellac to seal and secure the hood, and you'll find that the shellac acts as a lubricant as you tighten the hood down. Don't make it too tight to avoid risking introducing stress cracks in the edge of the hood.
Thank you very much. That is just the information I was looking for.
No worries. Enjoy your "new" pen!
QUOTE (fibreglass_works @ Jul 11 2008, 10:20 PM)
Ron, I noticed that was the way the most would do. I remember someone selling a Nib remove tool for the P51. Have any thing to do with that? and Are there a better way to alight the Nib, feed to the pen. Tks for your input.
I haven't seen the nib removal tool, but Richard has one, and doesn't use it. From his comments to me, I gather that rather than swear by it, he swears at it.
Because there are so many little things that go into making a 51 a great writer, taking the hood off to do the adjusting is the best way. I have a mental step-by-step check list that I go through when I restore a 51, aerometric or vac fill, that covers going over every detail under the hood. Once in a while I miss on one, but most people like the way that the 51s that I restore write.
I don't deny your good work 
BTW Care to input and share your "Check list"
BTW Care to input and share your "Check list"QUOTE (Ron Z @ Jul 12 2008, 07:57 PM)
I have a mental step-by-step check list that I go through when I restore a 51, aerometric or vac fill, that covers going over every detail under the hood. Once in a while I miss on one, but most people like the way that the 51s that I restore write.
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