Help Repairing Parker Duofold Pencil

[Silfolion]

this is my first vintage parker duofold pencil, I dont know the exact mechanism of this pencil but based on quick google search you can retract or extend pencil lead by spin the barrel

I use 0.9mm pencil lead but somehow pencil lead very loose and can't stuck inside the pencil, I even dont know how to put pencil lead correctly, I put the pencil lead from front.. cmiiw

 

any problem with this pencil or I dont know how to use this pencil correctly

 

[PaulS]

whilst you're waiting for someone more knowledgeable, it might be worth making the point that these older pencils used thicker lead than more recent examples. Modern pencils use much thinner lead and it's a lot easier to break the lead. Older thicknesses for leads were, apparently, 1.1 to 1.2 mm, or at least the imperial equivalent, and according to the books 0.9 was used from somewhere around1940s, which would be after your pencil was made.

So, likely your problems stem from using a lead that is too thin, and the lead should be firm in the nozzle, so seems you don't have the correct thickness lead. Am sure you can find thicker leads on the internet somewhere, and not too expensive a layout even if that doesn't solve your problems.

 

Though it may not be the correct way of doing things I can't imagine it will harm the pencil if you insert the lead via the nozzle, carefully - though the correct thickness lead may prove to be fiddly entering from the front end rather than the rear.

 

Best of luck.

Edited November 28, 2018 by PaulS

[Ron Z]

"Standard lead" of the 20s is about 1.1mm

 

0.046" lead (thin lead) is about 0.9mm

 

0.036" lead (real thin) is about 0.7mm

 

The Duofold pencils standard lead.

 

The propel/repel pencils like the Duofold and Vacumatic pencils had a clutch that gripped the lead and moved it forward and back, with a pin that moved forward to eject the last bit of lead. Sometimes the lead gets stuck in that cone, or the pencil clutch, and it needs to be gently drilled out with a very fine drill (less than 1.1mm or 0.043") in a pin vise. The pencil is loaded through the front of the cone.

 

Note that some pencils, like the Wahl Eversharp pencils of the 20s did not have the repel part of the mechanism - it only moved forward. To get the lead back in you had to retract the mechanism a bit and push the lead back in.

[kpong11]

I'm also use 0.9 lead in vintage sheaffer and Parker propelling pencil. (But newer than your Duofold) For me when I insert the lead inside the pencil in fully retract state, I'm press lead end on flat surface to make it catch with the pin inside. Hope this will work with your pencil.

[Ron Z]

I'm also use 0.9 lead in vintage sheaffer and Parker propelling pencil. (But newer than your Duofold) For me when I insert the lead inside the pencil in fully retract state, I'm press lead end on flat surface to make it catch with the pin inside. Hope this will work with your pencil.

 

No doubt your pen is one that uses the "thin lead."

[Silfolion]

looks like previous lead stuck inside lead mechanism

 

 

[PaulS]

if the lead has become stuck it might possibly be that someone has used a very slightly thicker lead than is suitable. You might try to withdraw this old lead with pair of tweezers or pliers - or try warming the tube with a hair dryer to expand the metal tube holding the lead.

If you attempt to pull the old lead out, pull in a straight line, don't angle your pull at all.

Whilst the nozzle is off the pencil make sure there isn't any old lead blocking inside the nozzle. In the absence of a drill bit of suitable diameter, find the longest steel pin you can and test that it will fit the nozzle hole and not bind. Remove the point of the pin and square that end of the pin.

If all else fails, and before sending to a professional, snap the lead where it enters the metal tube and very tediously revolve/turn the pin to grind away the lead - alternatively put the pin into a Dremel type drill and go electric with the same job.

 

You might consider buying a wooden pencil - a lot easier to operate, and lower running costs ………. only joking.

Edited November 29, 2018 by PaulS

[Silfolion]

if the lead has become stuck it might possibly be that someone has used a very slightly thicker lead than is suitable. You might try to withdraw this old lead with pair of tweezers or pliers - or try warming the tube with a hair dryer to expand the metal tube holding the lead.

If you attempt to pull the old lead out, pull in a straight line, don't angle your pull at all.

Whilst the nozzle is off the pencil make sure there isn't any old lead blocking inside the nozzle. In the absence of a drill bit of suitable diameter, find the longest steel pin you can and test that it will fit the nozzle hole and not bind. Remove the point of the pin and square that end of the pin.

If all else fails, and before sending to a professional, snap the lead where it enters the metal tube and very tediously revolve/turn the pin to grind away the lead - alternatively put the pin into a Dremel type drill and go electric with the same job.

 

You might consider buying a wooden pencil - a lot easier to operate, and lower running costs ………. only joking.

yeah wooden pencil also great option for multi function tool in certain situation... haha