Conklin Minigraph - Dry out solved.

[Wayland]

I've seen a fair few reviews commenting about modern Conklin pens drying out but a while ago, despite all the warnings, I bought a Minigraph just because I really fancied one.

Sure enough it dried up right on schedule just as all the reviews suggested. No surprise there, so I started looking for the cause.

The threads seemed a bit loose so I added a thin O ring that seats under the cap edge when it is screwed down. Thought that might fix it but apparently not. It still dried out.

On closer examination I noticed that the clip passes through the cap and is fastened on the inside.

Looking really closely you can see that there is a slight gap between the clip and the sides of the hole. That is where the air leak seems to be.

I sweated some latex cement ( Copydex ) into the gap, let it cure and sure enough it seems to have solved the problem.

I've been using this pen sporadically for a couple of months now. It has always started perfectly since the fix. Nice little pocket pen now.

Just mention it for anyone else experiencing problems.

[Wayland]

Just an update on this post, two months further down the line.

I've just picked up this pen after not using it for at least a week. Works perfectly.

For reference it is loaded with Herbin Rouge Grenat cartridge that, as this is usually just pulled out of my pocket for signatures and the like, has been in the pen for a month or so.

I think this has definitely solved the drying out issue.

[OCArt]

On 6/11/2021 at 9:16 AM, Wayland said:

I sweated some latex cement ( Copydex ) into the gap, let it cure and sure enough it seems to have solved the problem.

Would you please explain this procedure? Thanks!

[sirgilbert357]

I missed this thread initially, but I am *IN* now!! My Conklin All American has issues drying out a bit and I also thought about the o-ring -- and also noticed the gap around the clip. I never got around to the o-ring thing, but I could do this other procedure. I might sacrifice a syringe to the cause to very carefully and precisely fill the gap.

[Wayland]

19 hours ago, OCArt said:

Would you please explain this procedure? Thanks!

 

No problem, although a quick search indicates that Copydex ( Which is a readily available latex based paper and fabric cement in the UK ) does not seem to be available in the US. I don't know what products you have over there that might be similar. (  Someone suggested rubber carpet glue but I don't know. )

Wikipedia data on Copydex

 

Anyway, what I did was take a small blob of Copydex on a cocktail stick and apply is above and below the spring clip, aiming to squeeze it into the gap. I then wiped the barrel of the cap with a piece of cloth to remove any excess smears and set it aside, undisturbed, for a few hours for the glue to fully cure.

If I had to think of something else that might do the job, the next type of product I would probably try would be a silicone sealant of some type. I reckon that would do it but you might need to be more careful about not getting it on the barrel surface.

 

 

[OCArt]

11 hours ago, Wayland said:

 

No problem, although a quick search indicates that Copydex ( Which is a readily available latex based paper and fabric [snipped]

Thank you for the explanation, it was the "sweated" part I didn't get. I appreciate your good reply. Copydex is not a glue I was familiar with but I did find it on Amazon USA.

[ErrantSmudge]

I might be tempted to give E6000 adhesive (readily available in the USA) a try.  It cures to a flexible bond like a latex cement.   In terms of plastics, it bonds well to acrylic, PVC, and vinyl but not styrofoam, polystyrene, polyethylene, or polypropylene (the latter I don't think are used in pens too much).

[sirgilbert357]

Rubber cement would work for this too. That's what I plan on using...

[Wayland]

12 hours ago, OCArt said:

Thank you for the explanation, it was the "sweated" part I didn't get. I appreciate your good reply. Copydex is not a glue I was familiar with but I did find it on Amazon USA.

Probably not the best word to use. Came from the way the term is used in soldering where the solder is allowed to flow into a joint by capillary action.

[sirgilbert357]

5 hours ago, Wayland said:

Probably not the best word to use. Came from the way the term is used in soldering where the solder is allowed to flow into a joint by capillary action.

 

Hey, no worries! I actually knew what you meant!

[Wayland]

That's good to know.

I always try to remember what Shaw said about "Two nations separated by a common language" when posting on forums but I don't always get it right.