Shaeffer 500 Vacuum Fill Pen Repair

[Kiel]

I just purchased a Shaeffer 500 vacuum fill pen on eBay for about $15.00. The filling rod does not extend. Is it worth it to repair? I was planning on putting it in my heated ultrasonic cleaner to see if that helps, is that ok?

 

Thanks,

 

Bill Kiel

[kirchh]

There's almost no chance that putting a Vac-Fil Sheaffer in an ultrasonic cleaner will repair the filler. Can't say whether it is worth it to repair without knowing a lot more about the pen (note that there is no such model as a Sheaffer [note spelling] 500 vacuum filler -- "500" is merely the price in cents). Pictures?

 

--Daniel

[3rdlakerobert]

I just purchased a Shaeffer 500 vacuum fill pen on eBay for about $15.00. The filling rod does not extend. Is it worth it to repair? I was planning on putting it in my heated ultrasonic cleaner to see if that helps, is that ok?

 

Thanks,

 

Bill Kiel

 

Bill,

It won't hurt and will probably help loosen both the section-barrel joint and the "filling rod's" ability to slide in the rear seal. Use a 10% amonia solution and let it soak overnight, cycling the UC when you get a chance. You'll probably still need a heat source like a embossing gun (http://www.amazon.com/Darice-Embossing-Multi-Purpose-Heat-Tool/dp/B0013LAYUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445556553&sr=8-1&keywords=embossing+gun) to get the section-barrel joint to open. I find 150-160 degrees F to be about right, measured with an infrared thermometer (http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Non-contact-Digital-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B00DTXRU5S/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1445556795&sr=8-18&keywords=infrared+thermometer).

 

It's good this is a relatively cheap candidate for what I assume is your first Vac-Fil restoration. The getting a Vac-Fil apart and then back together properly is a huge challenge. Good luck.

[kirchh]

I don't recommend using that much ammonia in a cleaning solution, nor do I suggest soaking an unknown model of pen in an ammonia solution overnight. Metal parts might be attacked and pitted, rusted, or weakened.

 

Sheaffer Vac-Fil restoration is rather tricky, and there are several different variations of that system, with different approaches needed for each. If you are not planning on taking on the repair yourself, there is little point in trying to loosen anything up; leave all the work to a repair professional, so you don't unnecessarily put the pen at risk.

 

--Daniel