To Repair Or Not To Repair

[berlinairlift]

I have a nice Sheaffer and after removing the barrel I cleaned and tested it and noticed that it worked just fine. There is an excellent vacuum, the pen has very good draw and does not leak. Looking closely at the washer, it is pliable and there is no particle debris in the chamber to indicate a part is starting to break up.

 

Is it worthwhile to take it apart and replace components which are seemingly fine in a vintage pen?

 

 

Looking closely I noticed that there seems to be two backing washers, one of which is made of the striated green material Sheaffer used in a number of Sheaffer pens.

 

Has anyone seen this before?

 

Thanks,

 

Jon

[pen lady]

If it was mine, I'd just go on using it until it doesn't work any more. Best of luck, nice pen.

[carlos.q]

My school of thought in these matters is: "If it ain't broke..."

[titrisol]

As an engineer with OCD... i'd say take it apart!

However if it works fine, dont screw with it. There are too many things that can go wrong

Edited March 3, 2016 by titrisol

[berlinairlift]

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to leave it as is and put it into my rotation. I find this type of vac-fil somewhat more difficult to repair than others because of the removal of the nib and feed. I have a couple of others of this type and they do need repair so I am thinking about the best approach.

[3rdlakerobert]

That's from the end of the Vac-Fil period I'd say--probably 1948. I've been restoring Vac-Fil pens for a year, probably done 50-75 for resale on eBay, and I've not seen anything like that washer. I've seen a few with that striated material used to make the cup that holds the barrel-end gasket, but never anything where this one is.

[Ron Z]

Sheaffer used any kind of scrap material that was handy for small parts that wouldn't bee seen. I've seen inner caps made out of carmine celluloid, backing washers made out any color celluloid available. Yours happens to be green striped material.

 

If it continues to work, use it. But it will fail with use. The head gasket is graphite impregnated rubber, which hardens and turns brittle. The packing material is made of grease impregnated felt and rubber washers. The grease has usually dried out by now, and the felt wears. The first clue that there is a problem is ink on the rod. Replacing the head gasket and packing material will take care of both. With the right 0-ring and head gasket material, the pen will be usable for years, maybe even decades.

 

The rod is a problem. If it has failed as one of the pictures shows, it won't be long before the rest of the celluloid covering fails. It will need a replacement rod. There are something like 11 different sizes of rod and I though I have a list of lengths for the pens I can't, an don't try to, keep the models straight. I make them out of stainless steel for each pen to the proper length as needed, using the existing rod as a model.

 

One important note. The most difficult part is getting the nib out without breaking it. I've done hundreds of these pens (I know how many orders of 0-rings I've had, so no exaggeration there), and can tell you that without the right tools, your chances of getting the nib out without damage is 50% at best. With the right tool or tools, your chances of success are near certainty. Fountainbel here on FPN sells a nib removal tool. It'll pay for itself with the first couple of pens.

[berlinairlift]

One important note. The most difficult part is getting the nib out without breaking it. I've done hundreds of these pens (I know how many orders of 0-rings I've had, so no exaggeration there), and can tell you that without the right tools, your chances of getting the nib out without damage is 50% at best. With the right tool or tools, your chances of success are near certainty. Fountainbel here on FPN sells a nib removal tool. It'll pay for itself with the first couple of pens.

 

 

Ron,

 

I have the tool from Fountainbel and it's great. One still has to use a lot of caution with the nibs but I cannot imagine not using it and having the same success rate.

 

Jon

[Sasha Royale]

It works fine ! Use it in good health ! If ever you have to penetrate the pen to replace seals, washers, etc. DO THEM ALL at that time ! Including cleaning and servicing. Then, your pen will give reliable service for twenty years. Meanwhile, pay attention to the "old guy" and write with joy.