Parker Speedline-Filler Vacumatics

[Collese]

Hello all. I was given a fountain pen that belonged to my grandfather. I used to do calligraphy and I want to start practice lettering when I retire within a year or so. I've done a little research and believe it's an early 30's Parker vacumatic, maxima nib, laminated gray pearl. I'd love to get it working, but if it's a choice of risking breaking it vs just letting it sit - I'll let it sit. I love the idea of using the same pen he used all those years. So my options: learn to do this myself; send it in for restoration; do nothing. I'm fairly handy, but don't see restoring pens as a future hobby so if I'm looking at the same $ in tools as I'd give someone else to do it, I'd rather support someone doing it professionally. I'd so appreciate any advice. Thank you in advance.

[jar]

Welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell. Contact Danny Fudge about your pen. Danny is fast, reasonable and reliable.

Edited January 12, 2017 by jar

[Sasha Royale]

When you and I are 85-years-old, we will likely be "brittle". Such it is with Parker Duofolds. I dropped one of mine, and it shattered like a tea cup. Over the past five years, I have had six junior-size Duofolds restored by Danny Fudge. (They made great gifts.) I would gladly trust him with the next one, as well.

 

The first Parker Duofold pens (1920) were cutting edge, premium items, price around $7 . The internal mechanism, which an amateur could destroy, was world-shaking innovation. You are going to love this wonderful heirloom, from your grandfather. Properly restored, it is a valuable fountain pen for you to cherish.

Edited January 13, 2017 by Sasha Royale

[Ron Z]

How brittle the celluloid depends in part on the color. Orange and Mandarin, flat top and streamlined, can be quite brittle, Other colors, and black in particular, not nearly so much, and the later striped Duofolds of the 40s even less so. The later celluloids of the Vacumatics which the silver pearl pens are, are both thicker so stronger, and less prone to cracking.

[Collese]

Thank you, all. I will contact Danny Fudge and I look forward to using this pen. Over the last year or so I'd been researching which pen or pens to buy. And now I may end up using the same pen that grandpa wrote love letters with. I can see myself getting hooked.

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! Glad to have you as a member!! Good move, Danny has restored all my Vacs and does a great job!

[ThomasB]

Hello and welcome from Baton Rouge, Louisiana...Enjoy your time here

[Ron Z]

Other well qualified repair people include:

 

Jim Baer (worked with Richard Binder)

Indypendance - Mike and Linda Kennedy (trained with Richard Binder)

Joel Hamilton - Inkpen.com

Rick Horne - the Southern Scribe

Sherrel Tyree - Inkpen.com

Ron Zorn - mainstreetpens.com

[Wahl]

[Chrissy]

Hello and welcome to FPN.

[mitto]

Welcome to FPN from Islamabad, Pakistan.

[OCArt]

Welcome to our little corner of the universe from a pen user in San Diego. It would be great to get your grandfather's pen working again.

[northstar]

Hello and welcome to FPN.

[Collese]

Thank you all for the welcome and the advice. I sent my pen to Danny Fudge and received it in the mail today. It's beautiful! I can't wait to fill it and use it.

 

Super excited to learn all about my pen and to read all of your stories.