Parker Big Red Section Question

[jcrowemag]

Hey guys. I have a Parker Big Red (vintage) and I have a question about the section opening. Mine appears to be oval a little and not fully round. Is this normal? If not how can I remedy? I have heard a little heat can soften hard runner enough to manipulate. Good idea/bad idea? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Also, this pressure bar or original. Ive cleaned off and tried to remove the tarnish but it wont go away. Seems to be in good working order. Ok to use still?

 

And lastly what size sac so I need? Thanks.

[jcrowemag]

I cannot figure out why my photos are rotating when I post and I cannot rotate in edit. I know this probably skewed the perspective of the first two photos.

[Ron Z]

The sections on the vintage Duofolds, both Sr and Jr, are hard rubber. Some of the later ones on the Streamlined pens are celluloid. Over time the hard rubber may distort and go out of round, especially if the pen was exposed to heat. These can be returned to shape, but you have to pull the nib and feed to do it.

 

It is possible to get the section hot enough to ignite hard rubber or celluloid with a heat gun. If you haven't done it before, it may not be something that you want to try.

 

re. the pressure bar. Crud on the pressure bar will will not effect how it works. You can use it.

[jcrowemag]

The sections on the vintage Duofolds, both Sr and Jr, are hard rubber. Some of the later ones on the Streamlined pens are celluloid. Over time the hard rubber may distort and go out of round, especially if the pen was exposed to heat. These can be returned to shape, but you have to pull the nib and feed to do it.

 

It is possible to get the section hot enough to ignite hard rubber or celluloid with a heat gun. If you haven't done it before, it may not be something that you want to try.

 

re. the pressure bar. Crud on the pressure bar will will not effect how it works. You can use it.

 

Thank you, Ron! I have heard that if the Lucky Curve is intact the feed will have to go out the back and the nib out of the front. Is this a difficult task? Also, are you familiar with the sac size required?

[Ron Z]

I have heard that if the Lucky Curve is intact the feed will have to go out the back and the nib out of the front. Is this a difficult task? Also, are you familiar with the sac size required?

 

 

The Lucky Curve feeds are challenge because you have to coax the nib out first, then get the feed out the back end of the section. Going back in and getting them lined up and set to the right depth is a challenge too, because the nib and feed have to go back in from opposite directions.

 

Sac size depends on Jr or Sr size - the name "Big Red" is often used when referring to either size pen.

[jcrowemag]

Forgive me. Its a senior. Thanks!

[jcrowemag]

I am having a hard time determining how much is old sac on the nipple too. I dont want to scrape too far. Should the noodle have grooves around it? Or smooth?

[Ron Z]

It doesn't look like there's much sac there. I can see the grooves on the sac nipple towards the feed. There's some dead sac or shellac towards the threads.

 

It's supposed to use a 21 necked sac, but I don't know if they're available any more. A 20 is a bit small, a 22 is a bit big.

[jcrowemag]

Indy pen dance recommends a 19. You think thats too small?

[Ron Z]

Indy pen dance recommends a 19. You think thats too small?

For a Sr, yes.

[jcrowemag]

It doesn't look like there's much sac there. I can see the grooves on the sac nipple towards the feed. There's some dead sac or shellac towards the threads.

 

It's supposed to use a 21 necked sac, but I don't know if they're available any more. A 20 is a bit small, a 22 is a bit big.

Hmmmmm. So what are my options? Hahahaha.

[jchch1950]

Ron Z your opinions are so valuable

[jcrowemag]

Ron Z your opinions are so valuable

They sure are!!

 

If I was not trying to be able to service my own pens I would send this beauty to Ron for repair. I am a tinkerer by nature and like to service my own items as much as possible. I play guitar and do all of my own guitar and amplifier electronics repair. Trial and error!

[Ron Z]

So use a 20. I prefer to use a 21, but I haven't been able to get them.

 

You're right, I didn't tell you exactly what size sac you should use. Sometimes I will point you in the right direction, and let the you figure the rest of it out. ...and this really is something that you should be able to figure out, and will need to eventually. You're going to have to with every pen you encounter that's new to you. Buy an assortment of sac sizes, not just one - you'll use them. Once you do one pen, you're going to want to do another, so spring for the assortment set from the Pen Sac Co.

 

I know some impugn the idea of using a dial/fractional caliper to measure nipple size to determine what sac to use, but it is a useful tool tool for someone just starting in pen repair. Measure the sac nipple. Sacs are sized in 64ths of an inch, so if the sac nipple measures 20/64, start with a #20 sac. Or you can see what fits in the barrel with the pressure bar IN the pen. The sac should be stretched a bit when it goes on the sac nipple. Too small and too tight, and it will want to slide off. Too loose and it won't seal, and will come off and make a mess.

 

Some say "You HAVE to have an air space around the sac so that the heat from your hand doesn't cause the ink to expand and the pen flood etc. etc.. Maybe. I've taken a part many pens, some with the manufacturers stamp still on them, that were a snug fit in the barrel. The other side of the coin is that if you go too small, the ink capacity will be reduced.

 

This is one reason why you want to make sure that all of the old sac is off of the sac nipple. Look carefully, sometimes directly at the end of the sac nipple, and you can tell where the sac ends, and the sac nipple begins.

 

CHIP the old sac off by catching the sac with the blade of a small utility knife, and work your way around the sac nipple. Usual cautions apply, but I've done this for about 30 years, and have never cut myself. Don't scrape the length of the sac nipple. You end up with flat spots, and a thinner sac nipple. When all of the old sac is off, use a piece of 120 grit sand paper, and go one or two turns to clean it up a bit and score the surface of the sac nipple. This helps to keep the sac from sliding off.

[pajaro]

That is some very good info. I hope I can remember where I saw it.

[Ron Z]

That is some very good info. I hope I can remember where I saw it.

Are you suggesting I turn that into a blog post?

[cabbie]

Thanks Ron. I'm working on an old flattop that looks like it needs a 21 sac. After reading this, I'll recheck and use your solid advice.

Thank you for sharing your valuable experience. Being able to get old abandoned pens back into working order makes for an enjoyable hobby. It's also neat when someone notices us using one of those pens and appreciates our efforts.