Hi Forum Members

I'm a newbie Vacumatic owner and I'm seeking your advice. I Just recently purchased a '45 model Vac with plastic plunger filler and I'm still unsure as to how to correctly fill it. I have followed the original Parker instructions which I found on the web but the pen only seems to soak up about 10-12 drops of ink into the barrel and when looking through the clear visual section of the pen I can barely see any ink inside the barrel section./ Does this seem right - should there be a great deal more ink being sucked into the pen - or is 10 - 12 drops a normal amount. Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks guys, Pelikanman.

A fully restored pen should fill to just above the filler tube inside the barrel. I would not use drops of ink as an indicator as it is somewhat unreliable. The filler tube should be 1/8 to 1/4" bleow the extended diaphragm (when the plastic button is depressed to fill). A pen which is working correctly usually only fills to just slightly above this point.

Be reading your post below, it sounds like the diaphragm needs replacing and the section needs to be resealed to ensure no air leaks in the system. When the section is out, check to make sure that the breather tube is not obstructed and can flow freely. This should help immensely.

Normally, when I get a Vac in I restore the filling system with a new diaphragm and reseal the section. I ultrasonic clean the section and breather tube, and this normally takes care of any issues. If the pen is not restored, you don't know what is going on in there. If it is restored, you have a blank sheet to start from when troubleshooting filling and writing issues. Count on about $35 at any restorer to get it done, plus shipping. I normally add this into the cost of any pen that I look at buying as, to me, restoration of the filling system is a need not a should have.

Cheers,
Sean