Parker 51 Hood Removal Problem

[desertsquid]

I have a Parker 51 Aerometric that I recently bought on eBay. From the look of it, and because it was inexpensive, I expected that it might need some work. It turns out that the nib is great, but ink flow is not good so I decided to dismantle it and clean it up. I've done this with a couple of my Parker 51s before and they are now really nice to write with.

 

I usually put the pen in a Ziplock bag, dip the hood in water at 80C for 2-3 minutes to melt the shellac, which makes it fairly easy to unscrew the hood by hand. However, with this one, I even went up to 90C for five minutes, and still cannot unscrew the hood. I have two pairs of section pliers, but even using these (perhaps too gently?) I was unable to unscrew it.

 

I've read some messages here about people sometimes incorrectly installing hoods on 51s with glue instead of shellac and wonder whether I might have a pen that has been mistreated in this way. I was wondering if anyone could suggest possible next steps.

• Could it be that this pen's shellac is particularly stubborn?
• Or, if glue is suspected, what might I do to try and get the hood off?
• Would soaking it in something (alcohol) help at all? I have succeeded in removing the sac, so perhaps a soaking of some kind might help.
• What is my best next step, please?

It's a demi, by the way, in case that is relevant.

 

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

I use hot water. Because its lucite i dont bother with the ziplock bag. Water at about 76C (warm it in the kettle, pour into a small container, put pen in it)

 

Most of mine have been easy. But one was VERY stubborn and caused blisters on both hands from trying to twist the hood. Eventually, it came off. After repeated attempts, over a few hours.

 

My advice is just keep at it and dont force it.

 

Good to hear about the great nibI really like the Demis and find they are under appreciated

 

Good luck with it

Edited May 30, 2020 by IThinkIHaveAProblem

[desertsquid]

Thank you, IThinkIHaveAProblem. In that case, I'll persist with the hot water treatment. I didn't try it today. I want to think about it for a couple of days before I get into it again. I'll post here again to let you know the eventual outcome.

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

Good luck. Don’t force it.

[Ron Z]

Quite often dried ink keeps you from unscrewing the hood on a 51. I find it to be a good practice to run the front end of the pen through an ultrasonic for a couple of cycles if it doesn't want to come apart. Shellac, or dried ink in the threads can hold it on pretty well too. If the shell gets distorted in the process of removal, clean the shell well, then spin it while holding it over your heat source. As the material softens it will gradually go back to its original shape.

[desertsquid]

Thank you, Ron. I will give the ultrasonic approach a try if the next heat cycle does not persuade it to come apart. Good to know about the hood distortion fix too.

[Barry Gabay]

My experience may not be relevant to your situation, but two observations:

 

1. I have consistently found 51 aero hoods more difficult to remove than vac-era 51 hoods.

2. When warm water & muscle have not worked, I have used my wife's hairdryer on low, then high, constantly turning the pen to avoid overheating any one area. Ultimately, I have been able to remove the aero hoods which have been as resistant as yours.

 

Good luck. I rely on Brother Ron Z's experience & expertise too!

[pajaro]

I echo Barry Gabay's statement. I usually end up using the hair dryer. I have one red 51 from Argentina that won't release the hood. It works, fortunately.

[pen lady]

For what it's worth, and, as usual, use my very amateur methods at your own risk, but I've had success dunking the whole hood in nearly boiling water. I heat up a glass of water in the microwave and plunge the hood in to just shy of the clutch ring. I believe I read that Lucite P51 hoods can stand it, and if it's been sealed with shellac, the heat will soften the seal.

[FarmBoy]

Dry heat. Use dry heat.

 

If boiling water necessitates, I can direct you to replacement hoods.

[mitto]

Use only dry heat.

[Aysedasi]

I've removed dozens of P51 hoods using hot water (although I've never used boiling water). Never had a failure, never had a breakage. The key is perseverance. You may have to do it a dozen times, but (assuming some numpty hasn't superglued it on), it will release eventually. I don't use section pliers, I use large elastic bands wrapped around the hood and the part just behind the hood for purchase.

Edited June 4, 2020 by Aysedasi

[mitto]

So you haven't enjoyed the joy of using dry heat.

Edited June 4, 2020 by mitto

[Ron Z]

Dry heat. Always dry heat. Hundreds of 51pens later (really), still dry heat.

[pen lady]