Parker 51 Vacumatic Repair

March 24, 2012

Some months ago I won an auction of a Parker 51 Vacumatic.

When the pen arrived I test it in a glass of water to see if the pump works correctly: unfortunately no bubbles.

So I decided to repair the pen myself and share with you my experience.

I don't own any dedicated tool for the restoration and so I had used everything I believe useful for the purpose.

First step, I heated with a hair dryer the barrel of the pen in correspondance of the threads where the vacumatic pump and the section screws in, in order to soften the shellac. Once softened I removed the vacumatic pump with a pair of pliers and a clothespin. The section was removed with the help of a rubber grip. This is the result:

Here why the pen didn't load the ink: the diaphragm was completely gone.

Unfortunately, as often happens, the pellet which ensures the diaphragm to the pump was stucked inside the housing.

Its removal has been for me the most hard part of the repair. I red-hot a skewer and, being sure to not touch the edge of the pellet housing, I sticked the pellet (like butter) and once cold I extracted it. Cleaned the pump, I put with the help of a chinese stick (those for eating) the new diaphragm in place.

Dusted the diaphragm with talcum powder to prevent stucking in its movement, I bent it upon itself. Cutted at right lenght the pump was restored.

Lubricated the ends of the diaphragm I screwed the pump into the barrel (previously cleaned removing all traces of the old diaphragm and polished) being sure it didn't bent on itself.

At this point I checked the vacuum ability of the pump placing the open end of the barrel on my tongue and pressing the pump button: the pop generated was pure satisfaction.

Cleaned the feeder and the nib, I remounted the section.

... and here is an old beauty ready for other pages and pages to write!

Edited March 24, 2012 by danygr1974