I read a number of posts on this board and on sites such as Richard Binders' about the differences between the older Parker "51" vacumatic rubber diaphragm and the aeromatic plastic ink sacs. Richard's site says that an aero sac is "...not subject to the corrosive effects of ink and doesn't ossify."

My question is, from everyone's experience buying these two types of Parker "51"s in the wild (flea markets, antique shops, ebay), what are the odds of finding a filler on each type that needs to be replaced? It seems from what I've read that the odds are fairly high for a vac filler and fairly low for an aero filler.

Has anyone found a good number of Vac fillers in the wild that DIDN'T need to be replaced? Have you ever found any aero fillers that DID need to be replaced?

Thanks for your opinions.

Ron

Both occur (good vacs and bad aeros), but only infrequently. Even if a vac filler works, it's not a bad idea to inspect the diaphragm, if you have the tools and the know how to do it. It's not unusual to find that the diaphragm ought to be replaced, even if the pen appears to function. I would never buy a vac under the assumption that the filling system was up to snuff unless it came directly from restoration by a known restorer.

In my experience, problems with aeros are much more likely to be under the hood (clogged feed, breather tube, or collector) than in the sac area.

I'm a very unmechanical kind of guy, but I can tell you it's fun to take apart and reassemble 51's of both types. The trick is the right tools, the right heat, and very judicious use of force. My vac tool is one of my favorite possessions.

I've never had a vac filler but I can say my aero 51 is fautless, I give it a good flush regularly to ensure the fir tree fins inside the collector remain as claen as possible and have no problems.
It's burgundy with gold filled cap with 5 converging lines pattern. B nib.
Gary

What Jan said. I'd always assume that a Vac "51" found in the wild needs a new diaphragm. Conversely, I'd be *very* disappointed if an Aerometric, that had not obviously been abused, couldn't be brought back to life with a bit of a soak.

Best

Michael

Thanks, Jan, Michael and Gary.

You've confirmed my suspicions.

Ron