Custom Urushi Barrel Unthreads Itself From Grip Section

[Rudesky]

I have a Pilot Custom Urushi (Prussian blue, M nib) with a barrel that unthreads itself from the grip section after leaving it in storage for as short as 2-3 days.  If I really crank it down (which I hate doing), then it'll stay threaded for a few weeks, but inevitably unthreads itself no matter what.  Is this typical of this pen, or of ebonite bodies in general?  Some additional info, I keep the pen in an individual soft fabric kimono sleeve, and in a drawer that doesn't experience large temperature swings over the course of a few days; the room typically will stay in the 60-75 deg F range.

[dms525]

14 minutes ago, Rudesky said:

I have a Pilot Custom Urushi (Prussian blue, M nib) with a barrel that unthreads itself from the grip section after leaving it in storage for as short as 2-3 days.  If I really crank it down (which I hate doing), then it'll stay threaded for a few weeks, but inevitably unthreads itself no matter what.  Is this typical of this pen, or of ebonite bodies in general?  Some additional info, I keep the pen in an individual soft fabric kimono sleeve, and in a drawer that doesn't experience large temperature swings over the course of a few days; the room typically will stay in the 60-75 deg F range.

 

I believe your pen is possessed by the notorious lacquer demon and should be sent to me for exorcism. 

 

But, no, this is not proper behavior for either the Pilot Custom Urushi or any other Urushi pen. Or any other proper pen for that matter. I can't explain it.

 

Good look finding a cause and a cure. That's too special a pen to be misbehaving.

 

David

[Rudesky]

Thanks, David.  It's been like this since I got it six months ago.  I thought that it might settle in, but nope.  It is demonic, named it screwie louie.

[MarcoA63]

could you return it and get it fixed? Otherwise you could use an o-ring on the grip section so that when the barrel is screwed on it holds it in place?

I did this on a normal pen that had the tendency to unscrew itself while in use and solved the problem

[jchch1950]

You can send it for repair to Pilot-Namiki. Apen of such a price should "behave" properly.

[APPLEMAN]

Just a bit on contract cement on only one set of threads let dry completely or a bit of beeswax on the threads to provide a bit of friction 

[Chris1]

I have used a tiny strip of sellotape on the threads (2mm x 6mm) to stop an old Cross pen from coming unscrewed in use. Someone here suggested it, thank you, as it has worked perfectly to fix an irritation.

 

But I have not had a pen unscrew itself when left to its own devices; that's eerie.

 

I have a Sailor 1911 that has a tiny O-ring on the end of the threads to prevent such happenings - a neat idea as it means you don't have to screw the two parts together with any force. Not sure you ought to have to solve such a problem on an expensive pen though.

 

 

 

[Rudesky]

17 hours ago, MarcoA63 said:

could you return it and get it fixed? Otherwise you could use an o-ring on the grip section so that when the barrel is screwed on it holds it in place?

I did this on a normal pen that had the tendency to unscrew itself while in use and solved the problem

 

The first two months after purchasing were quite the adventure... bought from Truphae new, had two deep scratches on the Urushi barrel (gasp), sent it back for a replacement, the replacement had a severe case of baby's bottom and hard started like crazy (tears flowed, but not ink), sent it to Mike Masuyama at Pacific Pen Works and now writes like a dream, but has this unscrewing thing.

 

I'd be more open to sending it back to Pilot if it didn't write like a glassy pillow, it's so nice.

 

I'm going to try and find a rubber gasket that fits on the section threads, thanks for the tip!

[Lam1]

I thought all Custom Urushi pens came from factory with an o-ring in the section!

Mine came with one (I just went to check).

[Rudesky]

Hmm, I see a thin black resin "lip" just past the gold section ring, but that doesn't look like an o-ring to me.  The 845 I also have has the same resin lip.  Is that lip acting as an o-ring?

[Lam1]

4 minutes ago, Rudesky said:

Hmm, I see a thin black resin "lip" just past the gold section ring, but that doesn't look like an o-ring to me.  The 845 I also have has the same resin lip.  Is that lip acting as an o-ring?

 

 

Here is a quick pic of mine. It acts like what I'd expect from an 0-ring, the section only really tightens in place when it gets there.

[Rudesky]

Thanks for posting a pic, I was trying to do that with my iPhone and couldn't zoom in well enough!  Yes, exactly, the barrel screws down until it hits that thin lip.  I tighten mine down to that lip, and then give it a just little more to tighten it further... and then a few days later when I uncap the pen the grip section has un-tightened itself down to that first thread (nearest the section), so it's rattling loose.  I suppose an added o-ring could be installed into that first empty chamfer above the first thread.

[Christopher Godfrey]

@Rudesky: I don't think that is a "lip" at all -- Lam1 is trying to tell you that that is a rubber O-ring (I think).  In which case, Pilot evidently just forgot to install yours?  My guess...

[Lam1]

Yes, @Christopher Godfrey is right. In mine there is an 0-ring there and it makes screwing the barrel in very tight. In fact, I never screw the barrel all the way in, but only halfway, for fear that it will cause to much stress in the plastic. Regardless, it is enough that it never caused me any trouble. 

If I were you I'd reach out to Pilot and explain that yours is missing the o-ring, so that they can send you some.

 

 

 

[dms525]

I just looked at my Custom 845 Urushis and see the O ring. It definitely feels like there is a rubber cushion when I screw the section all the way in.  

 

The ring looks very thin. I wonder how easy it would be to seat properly.

 

David