Vac Fil Washer Question

[siamackz]

Im restoring another vac fil Sheaffer, but this ones washer seems to be disintegrating ornit has some glue on it - I cant tell. See pic. What do you think I should - is ordering a new washer the only solution?

[CS388]

If it's the washer that holds the new sealing ring in place, I don't think its cosmetic condition is too important, as long as it's intact and does its job and allows free travel of the shaft? The (new) rubber ring will create the aritight seal necessary for the vac to work, and this other washer just holds it in place.

 

But, for the cost of a few pennies, I'd probably replace it, if you already have the pen apart?

 

Good luck

[siamackz]

Thanks CS388.

 

Is the white washer made of celluloid, so that MEK can solvent bind it to the barrel?

 

Will a nylon washer solvent bind with MEK - in other words can I use a nylon washer as a replacement?

[CS388]

The white washers that I have used (supplied in replacement kits) were some form of plastic which reacted well to MEK, so they could be 'solvent welded' in place, in the packing unit.

 

I don't think (not sure) that nylon would react with MEK, so you may need some other form of solvent/adhesive to hold it in place. But, in theory. I'd think that any washer which holds the packing/seal together would work, if you can get it to stay in position and hold things in place?

 

There'll probably be an expert along in a moment and all my theories could be shot out of the water!

 

Good luck.

[Ron Z]

The retaining washers supplied with the packing unit kits are styrene, and will react with MEK and Acetone. Nylon on the other hand, will most likely not respond to any solvent, nor will it stick especially well with any epoxy.

 

It looks like the washer has already been hit with a solvent - hence its distorted, melted appearance. The solid 1/4" styrene rod, or thick wall 1/4" tubing can usually be found in hobby shops that cater to model or model rail road builders. Or you can order some of the retaining washers from David Nishimura at vintagepens.com

 

One thing that I would do differently... rather than drop the solvent down in the end of the barrel with the retaining washer in place, put the 0-ring in, then hit both the washer and end of the barrel with the solvent, and then put the washer in place.

 

Dale Beebe at pentooling.com makes a tool that I designed, that greatly simplifies the process of inserting both the 0-ring and the retaining washer. One end holds the 0-ring, the other the washer so that you can easily reach down the barrel and push them home. No fuss. I've been using mine for over a decade.

[siamackz]

Thanks for sharing, Ron! Let me see how I can source a washer