Considering A Parker Vacumatic

[GOB Bluth]

Looking for feedback from those of you who have used a Vacumatic. I am considering a trade for the Vacumatic featured Here. I have never used a vacumatic or vacumatic fill system, for that matter. The only Parker pen I have used is a Latitude, and I like it a lot. I have also never used a cursive italic nib. All of these unknowns are, quite frankly, intriguing.

 

Curious to know other's experiences. Should I assume this pen, being over 60 years old, will continue to hold up and perform well?

[m13a8]

Looking for feedback from those of you who have used a Vacumatic. I am considering a trade for the Vacumatic featured Here. I have never used a vacumatic or vacumatic fill system, for that matter. The only Parker pen I have used is a Latitude, and I like it a lot. I have also never used a cursive italic nib. All of these unknowns are, quite frankly, intriguing.

 

Curious to know other's experiences. Should I assume this pen, being over 60 years old, will continue to hold up and perform well?

 

I have a feeling you'll like that Vac. I own two of them at the moment, and they are both great pens! If you're not familiar with vacumatic fillers, here is how they fill:

 

You put the nib and part of the section in ink, and depress the plunger. Count to 10, and depress the plunger again. Repeat 6 or 7 times, or until bubbles no longer come out when you depress the plunger.

 

They empty in a similar fashion, but empty very slowly.

 

Cursive italics are neat if You're looking for some line variation.

 

If you're fairly new to fountain pens in general, it is always good to try new things and I think if you're on the fence at all, you may just fall in love with this pen.

 

You can most certainly assume that this pen will hold up and continue to function well. The pens are amazingly durable and long-lasting if you treat them right, like most vintage celluloid pens. I have a Parker Duofold Jr. that was made some time in the 20s and 30s, and it's showing no sign of frailty.

 

I say go for the vac! (It's one I've been drooling over for a while...)

[jar]

You should like it. They are workhorses. At 60+ it should be just about broken in by now.

[OldGriz]

Looking for feedback from those of you who have used a Vacumatic. I am considering a trade for the Vacumatic featured Here. I have never used a vacumatic or vacumatic fill system, for that matter. The only Parker pen I have used is a Latitude, and I like it a lot. I have also never used a cursive italic nib. All of these unknowns are, quite frankly, intriguing.

 

Curious to know other's experiences. Should I assume this pen, being over 60 years old, will continue to hold up and perform well?

 

I have approximately 40 Vacumatics for sale on my website, My Favorite Pen ... all have been fully restored and fill and write as they were designed to

My personal daily writers consist of a couple of Vacumatics and Parker 51 Vac fillers also

The 60+ yr age of the pen should have no consequence on it's performance as long as it has been well taken care of and properly restored.

[Ernst Bitterman]

I'd be less surprised to find a Vacumatic to be working 40 years from now than I would a Parker rolling off the line as I type this. The only thing that's likely to go wrong is the diaphragm, and it was designed to be replaced as a part of regular maintenance (every 20 or 30 years). I've a few, and I like them tremendously. If you find it doesn't suit, you'll find a legion of people willing to give it a good home.

[GOB Bluth]

I'd be less surprised to find a Vacumatic to be working 40 years from now than I would a Parker rolling off the line as I type this. The only thing that's likely to go wrong is the diaphragm, and it was designed to be replaced as a part of regular maintenance (every 20 or 30 years). I've a few, and I like them tremendously. If you find it doesn't suit, you'll find a legion of people willing to give it a good home.

 

How much does it cost and how easy is it to replace the diaphragm?

[gyasko]

I'd be less surprised to find a Vacumatic to be working 40 years from now than I would a Parker rolling off the line as I type this. The only thing that's likely to go wrong is the diaphragm, and it was designed to be replaced as a part of regular maintenance (every 20 or 30 years). I've a few, and I like them tremendously. If you find it doesn't suit, you'll find a legion of people willing to give it a good home.

 

How much does it cost and how easy is it to replace the diaphragm?

 

For one pen, it's probably more cost effective to have someone else do it. The repair guys usually list Vacumatic prices.

 

However, if that particular pen is the one i think it is, the diaphragm has just been replaced. You should be good for a while. You should ask about that.

Edited July 16, 2010 by gyasko

[nxn96]

I come from more of the "5l" Aero point of view, but a good Vac is a mighty fine pen.

 

In my experience, the pens are great writers. I find the filler systems a little tempermental compared to the Aeros, but that might be a personal preference. I've had a couple of Vacs repaired, and there are plenty of people out there who do that at a reasonable price, particularly if it's just the diaphragm that needs to be replaced.

 

Ernst probably said it best in that an old Vacumatic will still be working long after a current production model coughs its last. Sad, but probably true...

[GOB Bluth]

Thanks for the replies and feedback. I am going to go ahead with the trade and try out my first vintage pen. I'm excited to try it out.

[NABodie]

My guess is this won't be your last one.