Sheaffer Snorkel Maintenance Tips

[3rdlakerobert]

Anyone ever just remove the spring and do without?

[JonSzanto]

Anyone ever just remove the spring and do without?

 

It is integral to the functioning of the filling system. It is not optional.

[3rdlakerobert]

 

It is integral to the functioning of the filling system. It is not optional.

 

It is, sort of. The pen fills and empties and writes without a spring.

 

It does help to propel the Snorkel out of the feed as you turn the blind cap, but It's no help when retracting the Snorkel; in fact it adds its resistance and makes it more difficult.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to remove the spring if it's causing a problem like OP's. You'll have to add a little more pressure on the blind cap when propelling the Snorkel, but if the sac protector is sliding freely inside the section, it's not a big deal. The alternative is to go buy another spring because they're tricky to fix if they're catching inside the pen. OP can try it without a spring and see if it'll work okay for him.

[pajaro]

I took out the spring and the snorkel tube. Works like a Touchdown filler.

[3rdlakerobert]

I took out the spring and the snorkel tube. Works like a Touchdown filler.

 

 

I can't see what keeps the ink from running out the empty Snorkel tube hole.

[pajaro]

I wonder if it will all run out the hole when the ink level gets lower. It's a desk pen with an open nib. I use an old Parker 51 cap on it, which fits perfectly. It's a wonderful writer, and I wanted to use it. My restoration ran amok, and the Snorkel tube didn't extend. It seems to work fine without it.

[hankosaurus]

... If you think that the sac is leaking, open the pen, empty it and dry everything very well as soon as possible! The snorkels have a carbon steel spring that rusts very quickly, and once it rusts creates an awful mess. You could end up replacing the internal parts if you don't. I've seen cases where the spring is rusted so badly that it sticks to the barrel wall. You'll spend nearly the value of the pen on replacement parts. Don't use the pen until it is restored.

 

Thank you, Ron.

 

Thankfully, I was able to dry everything, replace the seal that surrounds the snorkel tube, and resume use of the pen. No leaking, and filling okay, so I guess the wetness was caused by a leaky seal behind the front-piece and my ignorance of how to fill the pen at first.

 

Thanks again to you all for the guidance.

 

Henry