Vacumatic Conversion

[pajaro]

OR: Convert the vac to an eyedropper.

 

It will be a non-destructive conversion that should not offend the sensibilities of vintage pen lovers.

 

Use only the collar from the vac filler and some thread sealant to hold the blind cap on the end of the barrel in an ink tight fashion.

 

Then just use silicone grease on the section to (try) to avoid leaks at the section threads.

 

Remove section, fill with tons of ink, replace section, VOILA!

 

You could leave the rest of the pen alone and remove the plunger from the threaded housing. Then you could use a syringe to push ink into the pen through the resulting hole in the threaded part, leaving it screwed into the barrel and screwing the blind cap onto the thread at the back. You could find a rubber stopper to plug the hole in the housing. To fill the pen, unscrew the blind cap, pull the plug, use the syringe to fill the pen with ink, replace the plug and screw the blind cap back on.

[Greenie]

 

You could leave the rest of the pen alone and remove the plunger from the threaded housing. Then you could use a syringe to push ink into the pen through the resulting hole in the threaded part, leaving it screwed into the barrel and screwing the blind cap onto the thread at the back. You could find a rubber stopper to plug the hole in the housing. To fill the pen, unscrew the blind cap, pull the plug, use the syringe to fill the pen with ink, replace the plug and screw the blind cap back on.

 

OK. I vote for that as another great option that is non destructive. Might I add, probably a better option for eyedropper conversion than my idea.

 

This technique would avoid possible cracking of the barrel threads from repeated manipulation of that end, instead only using the end that was designed to be opened and closed repeatedly. Cool idea.

[FarmBoy]

While thinking about converting a Vacumatic to an eyedropper consider that the aluminum bushing will be in contact with the ink.

[pajaro]

Whatever might happen to the aluminum bushing would only be a wholly deserved result to working outside the box. That said, despite the nice writing performance of my vacumatic before sac meltdown, I have never felt the love for these pens. I did like pushing on the plunger rod, though. These are fun pens even if you don't take them seriously.

 

An even more iconoclastic bit of play would be to modify a Vacumaric into a piston filler. You would probably crush something else if you wound the piston far enough to expel all the ink. Some things are their own reward.

[bsenn]

While thinking about converting a Vacumatic to an eyedropper consider that the aluminum bushing will be in contact with the ink.

 

I have had two vac eyedroppers which had the blind cap solvent welded to the barrel (nothing left of the original filling system). As insult-to-injury, both had been fitted with third-tier nibs. The sections screwed in and out without great effort for refilling, but they didn't need refilling very often as they held a lot of ink.

 

Note that I am not a butcher, I obtained them in that condition. Not to say I wouldn't convert one if the right parts pen came along.

 

Brian

[pajaro]

There are plenty of Vacumatics out there. Why not?

[Dr.Grace]

You can always get it in a ballpoint.

 

http://pensofdistinktion.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5_7

 

http://pensofdistinktion.com/cart/bmz_cache/a/a1ea053758e3c0ab73ee9fa00b24762e.image.250x187.JPG

 

I think the name "Pens of Di-STINK-tion" spells out my feelings about this kind of conversion.

[pajaro]

 

I think the name "Pens of Di-STINK-tion" spells out my feelings about this kind of conversion.

+1.

[FarmBoy]

Carl makes most of his pens from scrap that other repair people tossed out. Not every pen can be saved.

[Greenie]

If the pen is common and has flaws, and therefore won't even warrant a 'first look" let alone a second glance from a True Collector, why does it matter if someone converts it into a useful eyedropper, cartridge filler, or ballpoint? At least the pen gets another life and is enjoyed.

 

Even the famous nib meisters we all know scrap an awful lot of vintage nibs for the gold value.

[pajaro]

If the pen is common and has flaws, and therefore won't even warrant a 'first look" let alone a second glance from a True Collector, why does it matter if someone converts it into a useful eyedropper, cartridge filler, or ballpoint? At least the pen gets another life and is enjoyed.

 

Even the famous nib meisters we all know scrap an awful lot of vintage nibs for the gold value.

I don't think those were known to be the source of the conversions rather than good pens being the source.

[Gump]

If you could fabricate a plug to replace the filler unit (under the blind cap), I think it could be a neat way to show off the maximum barrel transparency.

 

Edit: you would have to bore out the filler to retain threads for the blind cap.

Edited August 5, 2016 by Gump

[Greenie]

I know many people take pens VERY seriously. But a bit of perspective is needed.

 

On any given day, there are hundreds of vacumatics for sale on ebay. Just look it up. I am not exaggerating. A Parker Vacumatic is not a rare historical treasure. The mint condition ones and rare ones can be preserved, as I am sure that they are, in the hands of the high end vacumatic collectors.

 

I believe that common vintage items are best enjoyed. If that means updating them for cartridges or converters, or making them ball point pens, so be it.

 

Curious that no one seems to mind Richard Binder showing us how to convert an Eversharp CA to take modern refills by cutting and boring the nozzle, and no one looks down on the Nishimura technique for plunger fillers, which involves the destruction of the packing unit and replacement with O-rings - that are actually secured with a solvent welded styrene washer! These are both destructive processes to get more life out of old pens.

 

I am sure I will be scolded for my view, and some will finds ways to split hairs over why the Big Names can advocate destructive upgrades, but we common pen folk may not offer such heresy due to our lowly status in the pen world....

 

In the end, anything that gets these very cool old pens into use is great. Like animals in zoos - It is a bit sad and not at all natural. But it enables the public to see the animals and begin to care about them and their habitat. More people will see why we love these old pens if they are carried and used. Even if that means it is now a ballpoint and someone asks about it and is told it is a converted 1940s fountain pen. Maybe we will get a new pen lover out of it.

[mikhasan]

Thanks for the interesting ideas.

 

Honestly, if you avoid Japanese inks, and try using more Waterman or Sheaffer or Parker or Montblanc or other more vintage friendly inks, they'll not only wash out easier, they also will extend the life of the sac in the pen.

 

Though, Tsuki-Yo isn't a particularly bad Japanese ink compared to the rest of the Pilot lineup for vintage pens.

Didn't know Iroshizuku inks were bad for vintage; I thought their pH was close to neutral. I have a bottle of MB Toffee Brown and Dandy Turquoise, so I might start using those in my Vacumatic in that case. Thanks.

 

You can always get it in a ballpoint.

 

http://pensofdistinktion.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5_7

 

http://pensofdistinktion.com/cart/bmz_cache/a/a1ea053758e3c0ab73ee9fa00b24762e.image.250x187.JPG

Didn't know this. Thanks.

 

If the pen is common and has flaws, and therefore won't even warrant a 'first look" let alone a second glance from a True Collector, why does it matter if someone converts it into a useful eyedropper, cartridge filler, or ballpoint? At least the pen gets another life and is enjoyed.

 

Even the famous nib meisters we all know scrap an awful lot of vintage nibs for the gold value

 

 

I know many people take pens VERY seriously. But a bit of perspective is needed.

 

On any given day, there are hundreds of vacumatics for sale on ebay. Just look it up. I am not exaggerating. A Parker Vacumatic is not a rare historical treasure. The mint condition ones and rare ones can be preserved, as I am sure that they are, in the hands of the high end vacumatic collectors.

 

I believe that common vintage items are best enjoyed. If that means updating them for cartridges or converters, or making them ball point pens, so be it.

 

Curious that no one seems to mind Richard Binder showing us how to convert an Eversharp CA to take modern refills by cutting and boring the nozzle, and no one looks down on the Nishimura technique for plunger fillers, which involves the destruction of the packing unit and replacement with O-rings - that are actually secured with a solvent welded styrene washer! These are both destructive processes to get more life out of old pens.

 

I am sure I will be scolded for my view, and some will finds ways to split hairs over why the Big Names can advocate destructive upgrades, but we common pen folk may not offer such heresy due to our lowly status in the pen world....

 

In the end, anything that gets these very cool old pens into use is great. Like animals in zoos - It is a bit sad and not at all natural. But it enables the public to see the animals and begin to care about them and their habitat. More people will see why we love these old pens if they are carried and used. Even if that means it is now a ballpoint and someone asks about it and is told it is a converted 1940s fountain pen. Maybe we will get a new pen lover out of it.

I agree completely, especially with "I believe that common vintage items are best enjoyed" and "In the end, anything that gets these very cool old pens into use is great."

[pajaro]

If you could fabricate a plug to replace the filler unit (under the blind cap), I think it could be a neat way to show off the maximum barrel transparency.

 

Edit: you would have to bore out the filler to retain threads for the blind cap.

I was thinking that the use of a syringe to put ink into the barrel would avoid the need for modification of the threaded filler housing, and it would make the process reversible. I have seen at the local Ace Hardware little rubber stoppers that might fit.

[Dr.Grace]

I know many people take pens VERY seriously. But a bit of perspective is needed.

 

On any given day, there are hundreds of vacumatics for sale on ebay. Just look it up. I am not exaggerating. A Parker Vacumatic is not a rare historical treasure. The mint condition ones and rare ones can be preserved, as I am sure that they are, in the hands of the high end vacumatic collectors.

 

I believe that common vintage items are best enjoyed. If that means updating them for cartridges or converters, or making them ball point pens, so be it.

 

Curious that no one seems to mind Richard Binder showing us how to convert an Eversharp CA to take modern refills by cutting and boring the nozzle, and no one looks down on the Nishimura technique for plunger fillers, which involves the destruction of the packing unit and replacement with O-rings - that are actually secured with a solvent welded styrene washer! These are both destructive processes to get more life out of old pens.

 

I am sure I will be scolded for my view, and some will finds ways to split hairs over why the Big Names can advocate destructive upgrades, but we common pen folk may not offer such heresy due to our lowly status in the pen world....

 

In the end, anything that gets these very cool old pens into use is great. Like animals in zoos - It is a bit sad and not at all natural. But it enables the public to see the animals and begin to care about them and their habitat. More people will see why we love these old pens if they are carried and used. Even if that means it is now a ballpoint and someone asks about it and is told it is a converted 1940s fountain pen. Maybe we will get a new pen lover out of it.

 

I don't have a problem with converting an otherwise unusable pen (although it could also be a source of parts to repair another one). But the OP was describing a fully functional fountain pen.

[FarmBoy]

I have one of those Vacuum Fillers that doesn't take up ink. I suspect I could make this conversion happen.

[pajaro]

I have one of those Vacuum Fillers that doesn't take up ink. I suspect I could make this conversion happen.

 

If anyone could do it it would be you. I have a non-functioning Vacumatic, but I am not interested in eyedroppers, I have enough to do with syringes with insulin and I have an absolutely fantastic ability to mess up a pen by working on it. I'll just send it off one of these days for a normal fix..

[APPLEMAN]

My version

 

http://appleman-pens.blogspot.ca/2016/01/vac-filler-to-ed.html

[Ron Z]

Curious that no one seems to mind Richard Binder showing us how to convert an Eversharp CA to take modern refills by cutting and boring the nozzle, and no one looks down on the Nishimura technique for plunger fillers, which involves the destruction of the packing unit and replacement with O-rings - that are actually secured with a solvent welded styrene washer! These are both destructive processes to get more life out of old pens.

 

I disagree with the characterization of this statement, especially with the Sheaffer plunger fillers.

 

In both cases, the pen as is, is not only non-functional, but useless without the simple, basic changes that are made. Refills are no longer available for the Eversharp. The process is not destructive, but rather a modification that allows one to use the pen with a modern refill.

 

Sheaffer abandoned the plunger filler in part because they did not have a good, reliable way to seal the back end of the pens. The felt wears, the grease dries out, the pen both fails to fill and leaks as a result. Sheaffers fix was to drill out the old packing unit and replace it entirely. I talked to a Sheaffer employee when Richard and I visited the service center in 2008, who told me that she had worked there for 35 years and had never fixed a "wire pen." They simply replaced the pen. They were delighted that we had a method of restoring the pen so that they could be used, and told us that we were the real pen repair people because we could do what they could not.

 

Even replacing the packing material with new grease impregnated felt and rubber washers would involve drilling out the old packing material and installing a retaining washer, solvent welding it in place. David's fix is to replace the failed packing material with something durable and reliable. But the underlying structure, integrity and design of the pen remains unchanged. The rubber for the head gasket is within 0.001" of the original. The sealant we use is made using the same materials that Sheaffer used, and is even the same in appearance.

 

That is a far cry from what the OP has proposed.