Parker Duofold Centennial - Section Disassembly?

[jah1138]

Hi all,

 

I have a first-year Parker Centennial in maroon, which is an absolutely wonderful pen. However, it has a leaking problem.

 

I've seen other leaks reported for this model, but they mostly seem to involve ink leaking inside the pen and seeping out between the section and the barrel.

 

My leak seems to be in the section assembly itself, at the seam between the brass and plastic portions of the assembly. (See image below.) After writing for a while, I will suddenly notice my middle finger is an inky mess where it's holding the section, but I can't find any stray ink anywhere on the interior or exterior of the pen. I think it's just wicking out of that seam.

 

Does anyone know whether it's possible to disassemble the section and reseal that connection on reassembly? Do modern pens still use something reversible like shellac in assembly, or is this going to be epoxied?

 

Thanks for any advice!

 

Alex

Edited November 13, 2018 by jah1138

[FarmBoy]

Glue intended to be permanent.

 

The Lott’s have parts for these.

 

http://www.fivestarpens.com/modern-duofold-parts.html

[Joane]

Im just wondering if the cartridge or convertor connection could be loose. Does whichever is being used fit tightly with no leakage? Just a thought of something simple to double-check.

[jah1138]

I haven't been thinking it's an issue with the converter, as I don't find any ink inside the section where the converter is fitted, or find any other signs of leakage inside the pen itself. However, I haven't swapped out the converter, and that's sure an easy thing to try!

 

FarmBoy, do you know what kind of glue Parker typically used for this assembly? I suppose I could just try heating it up and seeing if I can separate the two pieces... if it's shot anyway, nothing to be lost, really.

 

I did see that Five Star has this part available and I'm very glad to have that option! I'd prefer to repair mine if possible, though. It's not an inexpensive part!

 

Thanks!

[Joane]

Just another thought: according to Parker’s website FAQ, if the pen was purchased with a lifetime warranty it will be honored.

[Ron Z]

As noted above, these are glued together, and are pretty much impossible to get apart. IIRC the thread bushing screws onto collar around the nib and feed, holding the trim rings and section shell captive. I had one with a crack in the collar around the nib that oozed to the outside, that could not be sealed with Captain Tolleys. Its been a couple of years, but I think that we ended up replacing the section.

[jah1138]

Just wanted to close the loop on this.

 

As noted, before doing anything drastic or expensive, I swapped the stock converter for a LAMY converter I had sitting around. After a couple of hours of use so far, no leaking!

 

I still don't understand how ink could leak from a converter and make its way out of the pen and onto my fingers without leaving any sign of ink inside the pen body itself.

 

I also changed inks, from a Diamine to Namiki Blue. I wonder... could creep characteristics play a role?

 

Whatever. It seems to be working! I'll take it!

 

Thanks for all th input,

 

Alex

[Dragan]

I know it’s an old topic, but maybe this will help someone…