Sheaffer Touchdown Dolphin, Trouble Restoring O-Ring

[pajaro]

I have a sixties Sheaffer Touchdown filling Dolphin that I am having trouble getting the o-ring into the barrel of. Resac was easy, but this is frustrating. Does anyone know a trick for getting the o-ring into this pen? This is always the part of this job that drives me nuts.

[pen lady]

I posted this some while ago in response to a snorkel problem, but the same trick would work with a TD.

''First thing to check is that you've got the right size ring, large or small. Have the remnants of the old ring been completely removed? ''O'' rings are a PIA to install under the best of circumstances, I try this trick: find a dowel, pencil or some other cylinder that's slightly smaller than the diameter of the barrel and shove it in from the other end till it's just below the ''O'' ring groove. Put a tiny amount of silicone grease on the new ring and then try to maneuver it in place bracing it against the dowel. I have a very fine crochet hook that helps with the pushing and pulling that's sometimes necessary. The small flashlight clamped between my teeth helps reduce the amount of cursing too. Good luck.

[pajaro]

I posted this some while ago in response to a snorkel problem, but the same trick would work with a TD.

''First thing to check is that you've got the right size ring, large or small. Have the remnants of the old ring been completely removed? ''O'' rings are a PIA to install under the best of circumstances, I try this trick: find a dowel, pencil or some other cylinder that's slightly smaller than the diameter of the barrel and shove it in from the other end till it's just below the ''O'' ring groove. Put a tiny amount of silicone grease on the new ring and then try to maneuver it in place bracing it against the dowel. I have a very fine crochet hook that helps with the pushing and pulling that's sometimes necessary. The small flashlight clamped between my teeth helps reduce the amount of cursing too. Good luck.

 

Thanks for this tip. I Have been trying to get the o-ring in, but even the smaller size seems a bit too big on this pen, so I froze the o-ring, and then it went in. The o-ring came out of the slot in the process of putting the section in. I tried to unscrew the section, and the section came apart and the shell came off. leaving the rest still tightened down. Currently trying to get enough traction to unscrew the rest of the section. This is the most challenging Touchdown I have ever restored. Somehow I will get through it. Thanks again for the suggestions.

Edited September 8, 2019 by pajaro

[pajaro]

Eventually no O-ring would go into the barrel. The barrel cracked at the end trying. So I bought a barrel with the O-ring already replaced from Peyton street pens. Now this green dolphin pen with the steel and gold plated cap trim that I bought in the late 1970s is together again and writing. Brings back a number of pleasant memories.

[pen lady]

Oh dear! But I'm glad you were able to get a replacement barrel. Good to know that they are available.