Parker 51 Vac Typical Repair Cost?

[J English Smith]

Just wondering - what is an "average" repair cost for a 51 Vac that is in good condition, but needs a new sac? And what is the average life span of a sac for this model?

[Ron Z]

Just wondering - what is an "average" repair cost for a 51 Vac that is in good condition, but needs a new sac? And what is the average life span of a sac for this model?

 

I charge $35, which includes a complete breakdown, cleaning, nib tweek, diaphragm and polishing. Some charge a little more, some a little less. I happen to do a lot of Vacumatics and Vac fill 51s for some reason......

 

Average life span should be 5-10 years. There were some bad sacs out there 3-4 years ago, but they should be out of the system by now.

[J English Smith]

Thanks, Ron, that's helpful. (Now I just need to get lucky and score one in the described condition to send you!) On another site I saw an estimate of only 3-4 years for sac life, which struck me as awfully low. Maybe that copy was written when the bad sacs were more prevalent.

Edited September 17, 2007 by J English Smith

[Gerry]

Yes, I'd expect the sac life to be at least what Ron has estimated. I currently have a Latex sac (piece) that has been coated with a silicon based liquid oil for over 2 years without evidence of deterioration.

 

Am interested in accelerated life testing too.

 

Regards,

 

Gerry

[jmkeuning]

Just wondering - what is an "average" repair cost for a 51 Vac that is in good condition, but needs a new sac? And what is the average life span of a sac for this model?

 

I charge $35, which includes a complete breakdown, cleaning, nib tweek, diaphragm and polishing. Some charge a little more, some a little less. I happen to do a lot of Vacumatics and Vac fill 51s for some reason......

 

Average life span should be 5-10 years. There were some bad sacs out there 3-4 years ago, but they should be out of the system by now.

 

 

$35 for all that? My 51 might be taking a trip to NY!

[andyv108]

Thanks for the information regarding durability Ron. As previously communicated, I have five to send your way but needed guidance regarding the replacement life. Some of the pens may not be used for awhile after they are repaired. It's nice to know they will be fine until I decide to use them.

[smbaugh]

Thanks for the information regarding durability Ron. As previously communicated, I have five to send your way but needed guidance regarding the replacement life. Some of the pens may not be used for awhile after they are repaired. It's nice to know they will be fine until I decide to use them.

 

I would guess that if cleaned or unused, the silicon would last longer. I'm further guessing that Ron's estimate of 5-10 years assumed that the pen is being used all that time and the silicon is exposed to ink. I have opened many, many P51 vacs where the original diaphram was still supple and came out in one piece. These invariably are pens that were not thrown into a drawer full of ink for 40 years. The silicon on *those* diaphrams are either goey messes or fossilized.

 

My $0.02,

 

Steve