Sheaffer Balance Feed broken...

[Piers]

Recently bought Sheaffer balance Vac-fill, and I think the feed is broken , no idea what I could do to fix it, is it even fixable or will I need a replacement? Also the Vacuum fill isn't working, how would I go about mending that? I don't have much money to spend on expensive repairs....

 

Thanks!

 

Edited May 1, 2009 by Piers

[OldGriz]

Recently bought Sheaffer balance Vac-fill, and I think the feed is broken , no idea what I could do to fix it, is it even fixable or will I need a replacement? Also the Vacuum fill isn't working, how would I go about mending that? I don't have much money to spend on expensive repairs....

 

Thanks!

 

 

The feed it definitely broken and can not be repaired....

If you have never worked on a Sheaffer vac filler, I do not recommend trying it... I send all mine to a professional

 

If you purchased this pen on eBay and it was advertised as good, I would demand a refund...

[Piers]

Well, the thing is I got it for only $20, and it's an oversize, so I was hoping I could salvage something from it. If I got a replacement feed (somehow) could replace the feed?

Edited May 1, 2009 by Piers

[OldGriz]

Well, the thing is I got it for only $20, and it's an oversize, so I was hoping I could salvage something from it. If I got a replacement feed (somehow) could replace the feed?

 

I would send it to Ron Zorn or Richard Binder who could do the complete repair and provide the proper feed for the pen....

The filler unit still needs to be repaired and that is not a job for a newbie or even some experienced restorers....

That is why all of mine go to one of them...

[Piers]

All right, I guess I'll have to cough up the money and get the pen properly repaired. Wouldn't want to damage it more...

[Ron Z]

What you show in your picture is not uncommon with Sheaffers. The wall of the feed is rather thin between the fins of the collector, and if pulled or stressed they break, leaving a piece of the feed insert sticking out. It's also precisely why you should NEVER try to pull the nib and feed out of a Balance.

 

The feed needs to be replaced. Both Richard Binder and I have a good supply of NOS feeds in stock, so either of us can supply one as part of a restoration.

[Kelly G]

An OS Balance for $20.00 - that's a great deal, even with a broken feed. Get it restored as per Tom's suggestion and you will have one really great pen for a very good price, even with the restoration.

 

Great find.

[Piers]

Thanks, I'll send it off for repair then, would anyone recommend a repair shop in London?