Parker 51 Collector Problem

[dabrez]

Just purchased a Parker 51 aerometric with a date code of 1951. After I filled the pen I noticed it was leaking ink in large droplets from the underside of the nib. I disassembled the pen and cleaned it but it still leaked. I noticed that the collector is split on the opposite side of the large channel. There is also a small black plastic insert in the back of the collector that looks like someone drilled a hole and inserted a small rod of plastic into the ink side of the collector.

 

1. Is it normal for a collector to be split?

2. If in fact the collector is broken where is the best place to find a replacement?

 

This picture may help.

[kirchh]

The collector is normal. Sounds like you might have a sac leak.

 

--Daniel

[OcalaFlGuy]

That little black piece is important, be sure it stays where it is.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[dabrez]

Thanks for the quick response.

The sac holds pressure when I blow into it. So I'm guessing that it's OK. I think a "leak" is probably the wrong term to describe the problem. The pen just drips. It appears to be coming from the underside of the nib and feed. I can hold the pen above the paper and give it a quick up and down motion and the pen drips. Not just once. I have done it several times. At first I thought I did not dry off the pen well enough after I filled it. Dried it a second time and it still dripped. The collector was my next best guess.

 

Any suggestions?

[OcalaFlGuy]

I bet I know.

 

Did you fill it the last push of the squeeze bar like it would be logical to, squeeze and let go with the nib in the ink?

 

If you did, that may be the problem.

 

Do your 4-6 squeezes with the nib in the ink, on the last one, hold the squeeze part squeezed until you lift the nib out into the air, then release. That draws excess ink off of the collector. Otherwise, your hands skin temps can cause it to drip a drop or two of that excess non-drawn off ink.

 

[EDIT; this presumes the drips occur mainly fairly close to when the pen is filled.]

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Edited December 7, 2012 by OcalaFlGuy

[dabrez]

Thank you once again... Seems to be much, much better. I can shake a drip out if I try hard, but I think you found the problem; "Operator Error." It may have been the different fill technique you suggested or just that I was over filling the pen. It calls for 4 squeezes and I'm one to fill 'em 'till their full.

I may be an old dog, but I'm still young enough to learn new tricks. Just glad I found FPN and some great people willing to help!

 

Thanks again!

[fabiorr]

Another possible cause to the dripping could be the obstruction of the barrel´s vent hole not allowing the pressure balance inside the pen. I had a pen that improved after cleaning that little hole.

[risingsun]

I experienced this problem the first time I used my Parker 51 as well... That last squeeze or plunge should be released with the nib out of the ink and it avoids filling the cap with excess ink. Binder's notes about pen filling taught me that one.