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What To Do If Your Varsity's Feed/collector Breaks


leewm

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All is not lost! Find a nib that is attached to the feed assembly, like that of Lamy's, wrap some plumber's tape around it until it forms an air tight fit when inserted into the body. The only air exchange should happen only through the feed assembly and not around the edges.

 

Do note that all feeds assemblies are not equal! The Varsity body is huge and when the ink is almost finished, heat from your hand will cause the air inside to expand and overwhelm the collector fins; causing burping. Reduce the air capacity by stuffing beads or small foam blocks into the body.

 

The video here explains how to replace the nib/feed assembly and refill it from then onwards.

 

 

Remember to save the nib! It can be used by other Varsity or Pilot Petit1.

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Oh yes, I forgot to mention that Lamy-like nib/feed assembly can be purchased from Aliexpress.com for a couple of cents. The search keyword is "nib plastic". I have been using it for some months now and it has been most satisfactory.

 

My repaired Varsity still writes immediately after sitting upright in the pen cup for months.

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Sorry, I don't see the point. It is a disposable pen.

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Sorry, I don't see the point. It is a disposable pen.

 

Yes, it was was designed as a disposable pen but it's such a waste to throw away a good pen when it can be easily repaired to make it work as good as new again. Just my little effort to help reduce our plastic foot print.

 

I've found that the pen cap / body seal of the Varsity is extremely well designed and the amount of ink it can hold is a lot for such a low cost pen. The pen can go for months untouched and when it is uncapped, it writes immediately.

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One way to reduce your plastic footprint is not to buy a disposable pen in the first place. Good luck with the repair. As a bit of frivolity I made an eye-dropper aided by a generous supply of gaffer tape. It did not last long, of course.

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