Vacumatic Conversion

[mikhasan]

Has anyone ever attempted to convert a Parker Vacumatic (Second Generation) into a cartridge-converter? I love the material of the Vacumatic but am not a huge fan of the filling system. Any tips or photos would be immensely helpful. Thanks in advance!

Edited August 1, 2016 by mikhasan

[kapanak]

I don't doubt that somebody has attempted that, but it is usually met with a lot of criticism, since this is a classic writing instrument, and mutilation of its body is all sorts of wrong.

 

One of the physical constraints for this conversion is that the Vacumatic pump at the end of the barrel has to be removed. However, the blind cap screws onto the pump threads, so removing the pump would mean having to glue the blind cap in place or some other compromise.

 

If you were to screw out the section, you will see the end of the feed with a breather tube attached to it. This is where most C/C pens attach the cartridge or converter. The issue is, how will you shape the feed or attach an adapter that will accept international C/C. This is perhaps the biggest challenge.

 

Also, the threads of the barrel to section weren't really meant to be unscrewed often, and I am uncertain of how long they will last as regularly separating parts.

 

The vacumatic filling system certainly has more capacity than any cartridge or converter system out there (but not by a huge amount). It is quite a fascinating system, and would be preferable to C/C if it was available on modern pens. Edison offers a very similar pump on one of their pens.

 

Other than those, there are really no issues with converting this awesome pen into a C/C.

[mikhasan]

I don't doubt that somebody has attempted that, but it is usually met with a lot of criticism, since this is a classic writing instrument, and mutilation of its body is all sorts of wrong.

 

One of the physical constraints for this conversion is that the Vacumatic pump at the end of the barrel has to be removed. However, the blind cap screws onto the pump threads, so removing the pump would mean having to glue the blind cap in place or some other compromise.

 

If you were to screw out the section, you will see the end of the feed with a breather tube attached to it. This is where most C/C pens attach the cartridge or converter. The issue is, how will you shape the feed or attach an adapter that will accept international C/C. This is perhaps the biggest challenge.

 

Also, the threads of the barrel to section weren't really meant to be unscrewed often, and I am uncertain of how long they will last as regularly separating parts.

 

The vacumatic filling system certainly has more capacity than any cartridge or converter system out there (but not by a huge amount). It is quite a fascinating system, and would be preferable to C/C if it was available on modern pens. Edison offers a very similar pump on one of their pens.

 

Other than those, there are really no issues with converting this awesome pen into a C/C.

Thank you for the prompt and informative response. It seems like it would be quite the challenge. My reasons for considering this in the first place are 1.) cleaning these are a hassle and 2.) I don't want to have to deal with replacement of sacs, etc. But it seems like it's maybe not worth risking the irreparable damage it may cause to the pen.

Edited August 1, 2016 by mikhasan

[ac12]

Almost anything can be done with enough money thrown at the problem.

So very likely it can be done, but with a LOT of custom work.

 

BTW the blind cap on the new Skyline gives you access to the back of the converter to turn the converter knob. Granted you can't see the ink in the converter, but that is a functional blind cap on a c/c pen.

Edited August 1, 2016 by ac12

[Mr.Rene]

Hi Mikhasan

Respectfully... You will kill the pen...

[Ron Z]

I often have clients asking if a vintage pen can be converted to a cartridge/converter pen. The answer is no.

 

There are a host of things that you would have to change, starting with modifying the section to accommodate a piercing tube, and a way to get the ink through the piercing tube down to the feed, (which means a feed insert), and then modifying the internal dimensions to accept a cartridge or converter without being so big that the cartridge won't fall off of the piercing tube, plus the need to make the section one that unscrews easily (which it doesn't on a Vacumatic) and so that it is big enough for a converter of any variety to fit through the end of the barrel, which I suspect it won't on anything but a Maxima You also have to modify the back end to eliminate the filler unit, so would need a threaded bushing to hold the blind cap on - getting it set to the right depth and rotation so that the blind cap and barrel line up. Once done, there would be no going back.

 

Now we get into blatant opinion - I would consider it butchery to do this to a Vacumatic. Great pens, but it would almost cause physical pain, not to mention mental, to do something like this to a beautiful pen. I couldn't do it.

[kapanak]

And regarding sac replacements: As long as you are regularly using your pen with tame, vintage friendly inks, they won't need replacements every year. It's more like every 8-15 years.

[fabri00]

You can find in some morder pens acrilic material very similar to the celluloid of the vacumatic in the picture, and filled by converter or cartridge.

 

The first one popping on my mind are some models of Visconti.

[fabri00]

Read modern, not morder please.

You can find in some morder pens acrilic material very similar to the celluloid of the vacumatic in the picture, and filled by converter or cartridge.

The first one popping on my mind are some models of Visconti.

You can find in some morder pens acrilic material very similar to the celluloid of the vacumatic in the picture, and filled by converter or cartridge.

The first one popping on my mind are some models of Visconti.

[grainweevil]

There was a range of Platinum #3776 ringed celluloid pens that you might want to look out for, mikhasan. For example. Very Vacumatic-a-like, but c/c filling.

[pajaro]

I have found that my Vacumatic writes better than almost any C/C pen I have used. Montblanc 144 would be the exception. Converting this to a C/C pen would be likely a step in the wrong direction for writing performance, but you would gain user fixability by replacing converters. You could take out the pump and use the threaded part to thread into the barrel and attach the blind cap thusly, eliminating the need to glue it.

 

Still, I view this as a very bad idea, likely to be something you will rue.

[pajaro]

It occurs to me that if one were to convert a Vacumatic to cartridge/converter use, the resale value might be poor. Would many want to buy a Vacumatic pen with cartridge/converter filling? The vacumatic filler is the essence of this pen.

[Dr.Grace]

The filling system has its advantages and charm. These pens hold a lot of ink. Just get used to the idea of always using the same ink in the pen.

Edited August 2, 2016 by Dr.Grace

[Sasha Royale]

Neither am I fan of the filling system. I have, and love, five of them. I have decided that I am not willing to discuss destroying a Parker Vacumatic.

[mikhasan]

Almost anything can be done with enough money thrown at the problem.

So very likely it can be done, but with a LOT of custom work.

 

BTW the blind cap on the new Skyline gives you access to the back of the converter to turn the converter knob. Granted you can't see the ink in the converter, but that is a functional blind cap on a c/c pen.

Thanks for the info!

 

Hi Mikhasan

Respectfully... You will kill the pen...

 

That seems to be the consensus, unfortunately.

 

I often have clients asking if a vintage pen can be converted to a cartridge/converter pen. The answer is no.

 

There are a host of things that you would have to change, starting with modifying the section to accommodate a piercing tube, and a way to get the ink through the piercing tube down to the feed, (which means a feed insert), and then modifying the internal dimensions to accept a cartridge or converter without being so big that the cartridge won't fall off of the piercing tube, plus the need to make the section one that unscrews easily (which it doesn't on a Vacumatic) and so that it is big enough for a converter of any variety to fit through the end of the barrel, which I suspect it won't on anything but a Maxima You also have to modify the back end to eliminate the filler unit, so would need a threaded bushing to hold the blind cap on - getting it set to the right depth and rotation so that the blind cap and barrel line up. Once done, there would be no going back.

 

Now we get into blatant opinion - I would consider it butchery to do this to a Vacumatic. Great pens, but it would almost cause physical pain, not to mention mental, to do something like this to a beautiful pen. I couldn't do it.

Thanks for your informed opinion!

 

And regarding sac replacements: As long as you are regularly using your pen with tame, vintage friendly inks, they won't need replacements every year. It's more like every 8-15 years.

Ah. I actually just dipped my feet into the world of vintage pens and I didn't know this. It's nice to know that it's not as high-maintenance as I had expected. Thanks!

 

You can find in some morder pens acrilic material very similar to the celluloid of the vacumatic in the picture, and filled by converter or cartridge.

 

The first one popping on my mind are some models of Visconti.

Yes, I'm aware of the Wall Street and the new Manhattan. They look pretty nice!

 

There was a range of Platinum #3776 ringed celluloid pens that you might want to look out for, mikhasan. For example. Very Vacumatic-a-like, but c/c filling.

Thank you so much for mentioning this. I was aware of the Visconti Wall Street, but not this. I looked at the Platinum site and it looks like the fountain version is not currently in production (the ballpoint and mechanical pencil still are). I'll have to keep an eye out for them in the secondhand market or hope they start producing them again. Many thanks!

 

It occurs to me that if one were to convert a Vacumatic to cartridge/converter use, the resale value might be poor. Would many want to buy a Vacumatic pen with cartridge/converter filling? The vacumatic filler is the essence of this pen.

I agree. I would be doing this for my own use though, not for re-sale, so this isn't really an issue.

 

The filling system has its advantages and charm. These pens hold a lot of ink. Just get used to the idea of always using the same ink in the pen.

Good point. I guess if I fill it up with the same ink all the time, I won't have to clean it out as thoroughly every single time I re-fill. I've been using Iroshizuku Tsuki-yo, and it washes out nicely.

 

Neither am I fan of the filling system. I have, and love, five of them. I have decided that I am not willing to discuss destroying a Parker Vacumatic.

Yes, I'm starting to get that maybe this isn't the greatest idea. I'll have to look for modern alternatives and enjoy my Vacumatic for what it is.

Edited August 2, 2016 by mikhasan

[Dr.Grace]

I don't think you need to clean it out that often, unless you're using an ink that tends to clog feeds.

[kapanak]

Honestly, if you avoid Japanese inks, and try using more Waterman or Sheaffer or Parker or Montblanc or other more vintage friendly inks, they'll not only wash out easier, they also will extend the life of the sac in the pen.

 

Though, Tsuki-Yo isn't a particularly bad Japanese ink compared to the rest of the Pilot lineup for vintage pens.

[pajaro]

The value of the pen is an issue for you or your heirs. You might not resell the pen, but someone might want to, other than a dollar at a yard sale.

 

There might be a learning opportunity in making this conversion and overcoming the issues involved. There might be a charm in having a vintage pen modified to look like another of today's pens. There are a lot of Vacumatics extant. With some very few good C/C pens out there the uncertainty of whether the resulting Vacumatic C/C pen would be any good at all makes this seem like a risky venture. The investment in the pen and the modification parts and labor would possibly be twice the cost of a nice lightly used Montblanc 144, or about the cost of a new one.

 

I have used a lot of pens, and the standard against which I measure all others is the Parker 51. The standard against which I measure C/C pens is the Montblanc 144. I very much doubt you can equal the standard with a Vacumatic conversion to C/C filling.

[Greenie]

You can always get it in a ballpoint.

 

http://pensofdistinktion.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5_7

 

http://pensofdistinktion.com/cart/bmz_cache/a/a1ea053758e3c0ab73ee9fa00b24762e.image.250x187.JPG

[Greenie]

OR: Convert the vac to an eyedropper.

 

It will be a non-destructive conversion that should not offend the sensibilities of vintage pen lovers.

 

Use only the collar from the vac filler and some thread sealant to hold the blind cap on the end of the barrel in an ink tight fashion.

 

Then just use silicone grease on the section to (try) to avoid leaks at the section threads.

 

Remove section, fill with tons of ink, replace section, VOILA!