Parker 51 Hood Too Tight

[Truman P.]

After having just bought my first Parker 51 (Aerometric), I noticed flow issues from the second I first used it. After a thorough cleaning, I realized that the flow problem had to do with the hood of the pen closing the tines of the nib. Does anyone know of a good way to make the hood fit less tightly? (Preferably without having to apply heat)

Thanks in advance!

[TimGirdler]

Truman,

 

For my curiosity, can you tell me how you know the shell (hood) is squeezing the tines together? It is a legitimate problem and it does happen. But, if you haven't had the shell off of the pen to observe the nib with and without the shell on, how do you know?

 

The reason I'm asking is that if you haven't had the shell off, the nib might just need a proper tuning (including increasing the gap between the tines). Of course, it could be that the shell will have to be filed too.

 

So, please let us know (and I in no way intend this question in a pejorative way).

 

Blessings,

 

Tim

[Truman P.]

I'm sorry. I was a little vague when I mentioned that I cleaned the pen thoroughly. I disassembled the pen completely and cleaned every part out. I also tested out the pen without the shell on, and found that it wrote quite well without it. Additionally, I have tested the pen with the shell not tightened quite all the way, and the pen still writes well until the final 360 degrees or so of tightening the shell.

[mohan]

Truman,

Welcome to Fpn.

[Truman P.]

Thank you! I've been around here a while. This is just my first time posting.

[TimGirdler]

I'm sorry. I was a little vague when I mentioned that I cleaned the pen thoroughly. I disassembled the pen completely and cleaned every part out. I also tested out the pen without the shell on, and found that it wrote quite well without it. Additionally, I have tested the pen with the shell not tightened quite all the way, and the pen still writes well until the final 360 degrees or so of tightening the shell.

 

Truman,

 

Ahhh! OK. That makes much more sense to me.

 

I don't think that the "51" would do well with the shell not properly tightened (but, of course, not over tightened). My thought would go to the room inside the shell.

 

Perhaps, with a round file, you could very, VERY carefully remove some of the inner part of the shell (where the nib itself sits) so that the nib is less constricted.

 

Before you do this, however, I'd recommend crawling through Richard Binder's website with a fine-tooth comb to read everything about "51" shells you can. If I find certain helpful articles, I'll be sure to post them in this thread.

 

Blessings,

 

Tim

[TimGirdler]

Richard Binder articles on the Parker "51"

 

Here's one: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/pendoctor/22.htm . Read the last entry on page.

 

EDIT: Here's another: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/pendoctor/12.htm . Read the first entry.

 

And another: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/pendoctor/18.htm .

 

 

 

Blessings,

 

Tim

Edited August 22, 2013 by TimGirdler

[Truman P.]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll give that one a try.

[Truman P.]

The adjustment of the feed didn't seem to help very much, so I used some 400 grit sandpaper wrapped around a small screwdriver to take out some of the hood. This seems to have done the trick. The pen still writes a little on the dry side, but flows consistently and lays down a proper line. Thanks for all your help!

[mohan]

Tim

Thanks for these articles. Though I am not brave to do these on pens, they were very informative.

[TimGirdler]

Tim

Thanks for these articles. Though I am not brave to do these on pens, they were very informative.

 

You're welcome. Richard has forgotten more about fountains than most of us know. Don't worry about the bravery thing, tinkering with pens--especially valuable vintage pens--is not for the faint of heart.

 

Even if one is unwilling to do the tinkering himself or herself, there is great value in knowing and being able to diagnose a problem.

 

Blessings,

 

Tim

[OldGriz]

What Tim seems to have forgotten to mention is that he has been trained by Richard Binder to do this kind of work.... and he does it well...

I would highly recommend Tim if you don't wish to play with your nibs and tuning yourself.....

[Flounder]

Out of curiosity, was this a grey 51?