What Problem Does My Parker Vacumatic Have and How Do I Fix It (Cheaply If Possible)?

[NerdCM]

To preface, I've been in the hobby for several years now, but this is my first foray into vintage pens, so I don't know much 

 

I purchased a (supposedly) refurbished first-gen Parker Vacumatic with a lockdown-filler off eBay. When I depress or release the plunger, the diaphragm doesn't move and the pen doesn't draw up ink. I've unscrewed the section and poked the diaphragm with a stick to verify that it's still flexible, so the diaphragm isn't old or anything.

 

I imagine that if I want to investigate further or attempt to make the repair myself that I'll need a collet, so what websites do y'all recommend for Parker Vacumatic repair tools? Is this even necessary to fix my problem? Thanks.

[bsenn]

As long as you've got the section loose, remove it again. Wet your fingertip and seal against the end of the barrel, unlock the plunger and depress and release several times. If you feel pressure/vacuum the diaphragm is probably okay. If not, a replacement is in order.

[NerdCM]

5 minutes ago, bsenn said:

As long as you've got the section loose, remove it again. Wet your fingertip and seal against the end of the barrel, unlock the plunger and depress and release several times. If you feel pressure/vacuum the diaphragm is probably okay. If not, a replacement is in order.

Tried this and I feel no suction. So what you're suggesting is that I replace the diaphragm?

[bsenn]

Afraid so. Can you go back to the seller?

 

As far as tools, Pentooling is a good source. https://pentooling.com/collections/tools-for-specific-brand-of-pens

[FarmBoy]

For one pen, I would send it to a repair shop.  My choice for vacumatic filled pens is repairs at parker51 dot com

 

 

[Ted Nashe]

9 hours ago, NerdCM said:

To preface, I've been in the hobby for several years now, but this is my first foray into vintage pens, so I don't know much 

 

I purchased a (supposedly) refurbished first-gen Parker Vacumatic with a lockdown-filler off eBay. When I depress or release the plunger, the diaphragm doesn't move and the pen doesn't draw up ink. I've unscrewed the section and poked the diaphragm with a stick to verify that it's still flexible, so the diaphragm isn't old or anything.

 

I imagine that if I want to investigate further or attempt to make the repair myself that I'll need a collet, so what websites do y'all recommend for Parker Vacumatic repair tools? Is this even necessary to fix my problem? Thanks.

 

You should return it to the seller for either a repair or a refund. I'd be extremely annoyed if anything similar happened to me. 😠😠😠

[VacNut]

If it was sold as restored it should draw ink, so you may decide to return it and have the seller replace the diaphragm or refund the money.  I am assuming you bought the pen recently not several years ago.
 

It looks like you are familiar with the pen and have the wrench to unscrew the filler and the expertise to remove the section.

 

If you have the wrench and thread sealant, you may consider buying a diaphragm from the Pen Sac Company and do the replacement yourself. 
 

It will cost about $20 to replace the diaphragm with postage both ways if you send it to a restorer.