Triangle Show Plunger-Fillers Os "vacuum-Fil"

[gmberg]

If you're interested in SHEAFFER PLUNGER-FILLERS, I plan to have a full range of them at the upcoming Triangle Pen Show in Raleigh, 1-4 June.

GERRY BERG

 

Of special interest is a fairly large selection of the earliest and rarest of plunger-fillers, the "Vacuum-fil" line from c.1934-35, including oversize versions with clear center view windows (LIKE THESE BELOW). Sometimes they are mistaken for "demonstrators", but they were simply the standard offering of this Sheaffer sub-brand and include many varieties.

 

THERE'S EVEN ONE WITH A

"WET NOODLE" NIB!

 

 

 

 

 

[sciumbasci]

Filling these must be a dream

[gmberg]

Yes, it certainly is. I have restored each one myself and can vouch for the fact that these oversize Vacuum-fils sip up about 3 ml of ink. Two of them sport flex nibs and can use the extra supply!

 

I actually use high-density felt gaskets on the Vacuum-fils, as the was originally manufactured.

For Sheaffer plunger-fillers, I use the more conventional restoration technique:

 

Sheaffer’s One Stroke Plunger-Filler

For a full account of my approach to plunger-filler repair, see my article, "The Re-birth of Sheaffer's One Stroke Plunger-filler", in the Spring 2009 issue of Pennant, a publication of the Pen Collectors of America.

After pulling the plunger rod from the end of the barrel, ink or air contained within the pen barrel is expelled as the plunger rod is pushed back to its closed position, creating a vacuum in the barrel behind the rod’s piston. When the plunger reaches the limit of its movement, the piston’s flexible washer enters an enlarged portion of the barrel’s bore and releases the vacuum behind it. Ink is drawn in around the periphery of the washer and into the barrel. Nearly the entire internal volume of the barrel stores ink, thus increasing the pen’s ink capacity over its rivals.

The key to restoring this system to efficient operation is to recreate a perfect fit of the plunger rod to the barrel. The barrel plug (“packing unit”) must be re-packed so that it holds the rod tightly, and the piston’s flexible washer must be replaced so that it produces a tight seal as it moves down the barrel forward the nib. Both piston and barrel plug must be tight enough to create a vacuum sufficient to fill the pen, but must also allow the piston to be actuated without fuss by the average pen user. Finally, the restoration must produce a pen that will fill reliably when used continually over a long period of time.

I re-pack the packing unit with David Nishimura's o-ring made of fluorocarbon rubber with an estimated life span up to twenty years. The plunger washer is made from Ron Zorn's Buna-N synthetic rubber and cut with precision tools made by the Australian pen craftsman, Andrew Gray, and the Belgian pen artisan, Francis Goosens.

[AAAndrew]

Gerry’s pens are great. I have two of his vacuum fillers and love them. And he’s a great guy to do business with.

 

No relationship, just satisfied customer.

 

Andrew

[CraigN]

Gerry,

 

Will these be for sale or display?

 

Also, will you have these in August at the DC show?

 

With best wishes from another satisfied customer,

Craig

[gmberg]

Gerry’s pens are great. I have two of his vacuum fillers and love them. And he’s a great guy to do business with.

 

No relationship, just satisfied customer.

 

Andrew

Thanks for kind words, Andrew.

[gmberg]

Gerry,

 

Will these be for sale or display?

 

Also, will you have these in August at the DC show?

 

With best wishes from another satisfied customer,

Craig

Hi Craig:

 

I'll definitely have a selections of these for sale at the D.C. Show.

 

Gerry

[Honeybadgers]

I don't go to pen shows. Do you sell direct, and how much are you asking?

[AGxM]

I don't go to pen shows. Do you sell direct, and how much are you asking?

 

Same question from me

 

Also not in US....

[gmberg]

 

Same question from me

 

Also not in US....

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