Lady Sheaffer's lost her head!

[birdylo]

I just received a vintage Lady Sheaffer 903 that was supposed to be in working order and had the nasty surprise that her nib (wraparound style 14k) does not stay on her feed section. All the parts are present (the washer and rubber seal too), so I spent about an hour cleaning everything thoroughly. I needed to chase the feed threads since they were seriously gunked up. Now the threads on the nib and feed section are clean and distinct, they just don't have enough contact to screw together. What should I try next? I would like to have a permanent solution but I'm not sure if I should get the epoxy so quickly. Based upon what I cleaned out of it, I think someone had tried shellac on it before... but that clearly was not a good fix. 

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

Return it? Not as advertised?

Last time I checked, a fountain pen requires that a nib be attached in order to be "in working order"...

 

If you insist on keeping it, I would suggest two things:

- Wait for the experts like @Ron Z and @FarmBoy to chime; and

- DO NOT get the epoxy out while waiting!

 

Sorry I can't be more help, but I have no experience with Lady Sheaffer's

 

good luck.

[Paul-in-SF]

While we're waiting for the experts, I have sometimes wondered if plumber's teflon tape might not work in a situation like that. It can be stretched very thin around the feed threads, and then it will compress as needed between the two sets of threads when you screw them together. You might need more than one layer wrapped around. My thought was that, since plumbers use it on water connections, it should also keep ink from leaking. Also, it won't stick to either of the threads, if you need to take it apart again later. Just a thought, I hope someone knowledgeable will comment on it. 

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

Do not use Teflon^® tape to seal threaded joints or for any other purpose associated with fountain pens, except to repair household plumbing so that your pen collection will not be subjected to an accidental flood. Unlike proper sealants, Teflon is a lubricant, and it will allow threaded assemblies to loosen and come apart unexpectedly. If you use more tape in an attempt to jam the joint and keep it from slipping, the tape will pack into the space between the threaded surfaces, putting a terrific tensile stress on the outer part (usually the barrel) and cracking it.

 

source: http://www.richardspens.com/ref/care/dos_donts.htm

 

(NB: I'm not more knowledgeable, I simply have read what is likely 99.99% of Mr Binder's website, which is awesome btw)