Parker 51 running dry after a few lines

[scribbler4bread]

I hope members will forgive me for posting yet another question about the mysteries of the Parker 51.

 

I have a much-loved 50 year old aerometric 51 which I use for my daily work. My problem is that it seems unable to keep up with with my writing. I uncap it, it writes very wet and rich for a paragraph, then begins to run dry, and finally skips altogether, halfway down the page. It won't start again until its been capped and rested for a few minutes.

 

I've disassembled and cleaned collector, feed and nib in ammonia solution, and all looks good. But this problem simply won't go away.

 

What should I do?

 

Grateful for any suggestions.

[ralfstc]

Hi,

 

Have you checked the breather tube is clear?

 

Cheers,

 

Ralf

[scribbler4bread]

Thanks Ralf -- I did, and it seemed clear, but I will do it again, excellent tip!

[ralfstc]

From what you describe it sounds like air is not replacing the ink as it flows to the feed, eventually causing enough partial vacuum to stall the flow. Is yours one of the collectors with the tiny black piece holding the slit at the back of the collector open? If so, is it missing?

 

If you can take the pen, hold it nib up for a second or two and then get flow, in my experience this hints at an air issue. If it has to sit for longer, it hints at a fluid issue (since fluid flows more slowly than gas). To be clear, I'm not making a deep scientific claim here, just something I've observed 🙂

 

The other things to check on 51s are nib to hood (shell) clearance and also the set of the feed. If it has worked for years and then recently become finicky, these are less likely culprits, in my experience.

 

Good luck!

 

Ralf

[scribbler4bread]

My collector is one with the fused spot. Your observations sound absolutely logical, so I am going to disassemble and put together again. I dislike doing this to an old friend, especially a 51, as there are so many tiny settings the amateur can get wrong!

 

Many thanks, Ralf, I will check all that and try again!

 

Marius

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

http://www.richardspens.com/ref/pendoctor/26.htm
 

the second answer has an important tip WRT alignment of the collector, feed and nib. 
 

it may help. 
 

i hope it does

[scribbler4bread]

Many thanks! I cleaned the breather tube (the smallest size #E nylon guitar string is just about the right size) and reset the feed using hot water, as there was indeed a gap developing between it and the nib -- maybe due to old age? I have similar problems -- and now it is back on song.

 

Funny how attached you get to an old pen, you reach out to pick it up, and it seems to become like an extension of your hand.

 

Anyway, many thanks and best wishes to you both!

 

Marius

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

👍

 

Glad it's back up and running

 

[ralfstc]

Brilliant news! Thanks for the update!