Sheaffer Tuckaway Barrel Threads

[BamaPen]

I have a Sheaffer Tuckaway, open nib, vaccum fill, with the separate ink container inside the barrel. I'm going to have to repair the seals on the vaccum filler, but I have also noticed that when I screw the barrel onto the section, it never really gets tight, and if I pull on it just a little, the threads "jump" and it is somewhat loose again.

 

When I have corrected the seal problems, how can I ensure that the barrel screws on tightly? I've though of an old standby - a little plumber's tape around the threads - or perhaps a little of Ron Zorn's thread sealer.

 

Ideas?

[CS388]

If it never gets tight, there's a problem somewhere.

Have you fully cleaned out the threads, to make sure it can go all the way?

Have you checked to ensure that the threads on the section have not cracked? Or (worse) the barrel?

 

I had a (different) Sheaffer which showed the same symptoms. The thread collar had cracked - so it couldn't hold its tension. You could pull it out a few threads.

 

Hope you solve it, The Tuckaway's are real beauties (imho)

 

Good luck.

[Ron Z]

The plastics shrink, i.e. get thinner, so that the threads don't engage properly and the barrel spins on the insert unit. This is quite common on the later plunger fill pens with the solid Forticel colors. I put a blob of epoxy on the threads and let it harden, then file it down so that it is thinner, but not quite to the threads, or until the filler screws in and is snug, but no tight. I don't like paper, and never ever use Teflon tape.

[BamaPen]

... never ever use Teflon tape.

Ron, I only put that in there so you could make the point not to use it...

[es9]

Just wanted to bump this and see if building up threads is still considered the best approach.  I have several of the capsule-style vac fillers and all of them have this problem.  Is there any reason not to just use shellac to just seal the capsule in?  

[Ron Z]

Using shellac to hold it in means that it will be very difficult to service the pen when it needs to be serviced in the future.  I've had to deal with it on my own pens that I worked on 30 years ago before I new better, and when others repaired the pens and used shellac or other adhesives to keep the inside unit in place. 

 

The plastic of the barrel is quite thin, and will likely be damaged in the effort to get the pen apart.  Building up the threads on one side works well.  It is an approach that allows the pen to be opened and serviced in the future, without heat, and without risk of damage.

[es9]

Thanks, Ron! Is the idea just to not worry about threading because the shellac will remain soft enough to become threaded on its own? 
 

Also, I assume prevailing wisdom is still to clean out the packing unit by drilling from the front?

[es9]

bump