Targa Slim “leak” issue.

[MisterCrazy8]

I have a 1000s and when I open the cap, the section is almost always covered in ink. I originally attributed this to a leak, but upon closer examination I can’t seem to locate one.

 

When I open the pen, the cap is very tight and secure. My theory is that when I remove the cap, the ‘suction’ from removing the cap is pulling ink into the cap and thus onto the section and nib. Capping and uncapping appeared to reproduce the problem.

 

 Am I completely off base? If not, can anything be done?

 

I can provide a magnified video examination of the section, where I don’t see an apparent leak, if that would be helpful. I concede that someone else’s eyes might see something I didn’t.
 

I acquired the pen a few months ago, cleaned it up, refilled a cartridge, and discovered the issue. It’s gone unused since. That is until I took the time to inspect it today.

[hari317]

Video seems to be missing. Some inlaid nibs can leak from the joint of plastic and metal. 

[Dione]

You'd be unlikely to see a leak from the nib where it sits within the section. As hari317 says that's where these pens can leak from. A video will not show that.

Try uncapping the pen then cleaning and drying the whole section thoroughly. When it's completely clean and dry fill the pen with ink or put in a cartridge. Can you write several pages over a considerable period of time without seeing any traces of ink on your fingers or thumb? That's the way to test whether the section leaks.

[Mr Bill]

On 4/10/2021 at 3:02 AM, hari317 said:

 Some inlaid nibs can leak from the joint of plastic and metal. 

Yes this can happen sometimes the plastic/resin shrinks away from the inlaid nib

Somewhere I read that this can be repaired.

I can tell you back in the day I would toss out the pen and just buy another,

Today repair is the answer, sorry I'm at a loss for the repair process.

[Ron Z]

It's not so much that the plastic shrinks away from the nib, rather, the seal where the nib and shell meet on the underside of the nib fails, and ink wicks up under the nib, and capillary action pulls it to the edges of the nib.  The nib can be sealed, but it has to be disassembled to do it properly.  Be careful - the plastic of the shell on the slim Targa nibs is very thin and can crack easily if not careful.

[es9]

Would the same approach be appropriate for a PFM? 

[Ron Z]

Pretty much. Fortunately a PFM is made to be disassembled.  The Legacy nib units on the other hand, are epoxied together.  I managed to get one apart once, more by accident to tell you the truth.  Sheaffer engineers said that you shouldn't even try.

[MisterCrazy8]

Resurrecting this topic. 

I've just had the time to thoroughly explore the issue.

The leak isn't where the inlaid nib meets the section (at least one didn't present itself during testing). I think there's a crack (or possibly a pair of cracks) at the back of the section. Near or at the metal ring.

I'll attach photos that may show the problem, once I get a chance to set up a stationary camera and take them.

 

Is this repairable, or is the pen a total loss?

[Ron Z]

The plastic is really thin back there.    Not to say that it can't be repaired, but the success rate is pretty low.  I don't like to take them apart for that reason.

[terim]

If you are refilling cartridges, you might see what happens with a new cartridge or a converter. A poor connection between the cartridge and the nipple most often causes a leak that goes into the barrel, but an imperfect seal (air/vacuum leak) can cause ink to appear in other places too.

[MisterCrazy8]

On 7/23/2021 at 2:50 PM, terim said:

If you are refilling cartridges, you might see what happens with a new cartridge or a converter.

 

I might try that, but I think I see the cracks. I'll post a picture within a few days.

 

The cap and body are in pretty good shape. I've got a box and manual. Do you think anyone would be interested? I'm not looking to recoup losses.