Modern Parker Duofold Leaking Between Section And Barrel

[camd]

Hi all,

 

I have a 2006 Parker Duofold Centennial International that I've owned for a few years. Recently, it began leaking at the seam between the feed and the barrel. I cannot tell exactly where the leak is coming from (there are no visible cracks), and therefore, I don't know how to fix it. I've tightened the plastic part of the section to the metal threaded part as tight as it will go, but it continues to leak a significant amount of ink. The ink seeps through the seam between the barrel and nib and getting my fingers covered in ink.

 

It looks like this is a common problem with these pens, as there are several other posts online where people have complained of this. Unfortunately, no one has posted their solution. Any ideas?

 

Thanks.

[encremental]

Here are a few things I would do to narrow down the cause of the problem:

 

Try putting a brand new fresh-from-the-box Parker cartridge into the pen - it is possible that the collar of your converter has become distorted and ink is escaping and causing the leak. I find that using cartridges with a syringe and bottle gives a better flow in these pens anyway - surface tension in the converter never entirely seems to go away, whereas the polythene of the cartridge lets the ink move more freely. If that doesn't work, then

 

Remove the nib and feed from the section. Duofolds are friction fit and they come out really easily with a firm pull (just let he section soak in water for a few minutes beforehand). Now you can inspect the feed. Is the little protrusion which pierces the cartridge present and correct? If that has snapped off, that could be your problem. And with the nib and feed out, you can really check the section with a magnifier and look for cracks. Maybe the nib and feed weren't correctly seated? There is a little nub which the nib hooks over. If that is all snug, put the nib & feed back and try the cartridge again.

 

If the feed or section are damaged, then maybe ask Dutchpen on here to see if he has one he can let you have. If the worst comes to the worst he will have an entire new nib section which you can buy and replace your own nib if you are particularly attached to it.

 

Good luck!

 

John

[camd]

Here are a few things I would do to narrow down the cause of the problem:

 

 

Thank you for the very detailed reply! I really appreciate it.

 

Since posting, I have also found a recommendation from Richard Binder to apply shellac to the threads between the plastic and metal parts of the section. I'm actually going to give that a try first.

 

I really hope the problem isn't with the converter. I strongly dislike cartridges (it limits my ink choices, and using syringes at my office is not an option), so I'm crossing my fingers that the shellac will do the trick.

[kapanak]

 

Thank you for the very detailed reply! I really appreciate it.

 

Since posting, I have also found a recommendation from Richard Binder to apply shellac to the threads between the plastic and metal parts of the section. I'm actually going to give that a try first.

 

I really hope the problem isn't with the converter. I strongly dislike cartridges (it limits my ink choices, and using syringes at my office is not an option), so I'm crossing my fingers that the shellac will do the trick.

 

A new deluxe Parker converter will run you MAX $10, so I don't see that as being a huge problem.

[camd]

 

A new deluxe Parker converter will run you MAX $10, so I don't see that as being a huge problem.

 

You're right. Since my last post, I've taken a closer look at the converter, and it turns out that the converter itself has developed a crack. I have no idea how the crack developed, but it's clearly the problem, so I'll simply replace it. I just never thought that the converter itself could be the problem!

[kapanak]

 

You're right. Since my last post, I've taken a closer look at the converter, and it turns out that the converter itself has developed a crack. I have no idea how the crack developed, but it's clearly the problem, so I'll simply replace it. I just never thought that the converter itself could be the problem!

 

While the Parker converter is one of the better converters, it has also cracked on me before. Could be one of many reasons, but I have no idea how it happened either. Replacing it solved it for me too

[encremental]

Glad it all worked out well!

 

John