Parker 51 Nib Clogged?

[Cambell]

Forgive me if I have put anything in the wrong place here or for asking a stupid question, I'm new!

 

I found my late great grandpa's parker 51 yesterday in his old writing desk, after having decided to start my journey with fountain pens. Now, it seemed to be clogged and so I flushed it by using the vacuum converter (?) to draw up water from a glass and eject it again, until I had a good flow of ink and it was writing ok. Now it started having an uneven flow and also completely drying up late yesterday, and it will not write at all this morning. I don't know whether this is a problem with dried ink on the nib, or inside the pen itself, but I would very much like to know how to fix it without breaking it. I thought I was quite lucky to have found it in the first place, so I would hate to lose it so soon.

 

If it helps, the pen hasn't been used for at least 4 years, but probably closer to 10 years, as grandpa lost his useful sight years before he died...

 

Thanks in advance!

[Grendel]

Check out this pinned topic in the Parker forum.

[Cambell]

Thanks so much Grendel

 

Looks like I have some soaking to do!

[TimGirdler]

Forgive me if I have put anything in the wrong place here or for asking a stupid question, I'm new!

 

I found my late great grandpa's parker 51 yesterday in his old writing desk, after having decided to start my journey with fountain pens. Now, it seemed to be clogged and so I flushed it by using the vacuum converter (?) to draw up water from a glass and eject it again, until I had a good flow of ink and it was writing ok. Now it started having an uneven flow and also completely drying up late yesterday, and it will not write at all this morning. I don't know whether this is a problem with dried ink on the nib, or inside the pen itself, but I would very much like to know how to fix it without breaking it. I thought I was quite lucky to have found it in the first place, so I would hate to lose it so soon.

 

If it helps, the pen hasn't been used for at least 4 years, but probably closer to 10 years, as grandpa lost his useful sight years before he died...

 

Thanks in advance!

 

While soaking can help, it is more likely that your pen would benefit greatly from a full restoration. After sitting for a few years, it is possible that the diaphragm has passed its useful service life.

 

It is possible that the pen isn't filling properly--either the breather tube is completely clogged or the diaphragm isn't working properly. If this is the case, dipping the pen to fill it would fill the collector with ink, and that supply would last for a good amount of time (since the "51" is, essentially, a double-reservoir pen).

 

For something so beloved as your grandfather's pen, you should consider a full restoration.

 

Tim

[Cambell]

Well I have the pen soaking at the moment, but I currently have no ink anyway, so I won't be able to test it when I am finished

 

Who do you recommend for restorations? What sort of prices are we talking about?

[OcalaFlGuy]

Check out this pinned topic in the Parker forum.

 

Please allow me to reiterate; From the pinned topic.

 

First a comment for those who have chosen a Vacumatic filler model as their first 51. The Vac filler uses a natural rubber diaphragm which, like the latex sac in lever and button fillers, will wear out and require servicing over time. Even if your "new" Vac 51 will fill when you receive it, unless you are assured by your seller (that you know and trust) that it has had it's diaphragm replaced, it is more prudent to NOT put the pen into continued service until it has been replaced. IF the diaphragm fails with the pen full of ink, you'll not only have a mess in (and on) your hands but the person you send the pen to for servicing has additional clean up work to perform within the bowels of the pen as well. AFTER you get your new Vac 51 cleaned out, you can still enjoy that first fill and use that time to critique the pen and nib so you will be able to notify your service person of any changes to ink flow or nib smoothness that you may desire them to do at the same time as the diaphragm servicing.

 

I am not a Vac expert but the symptoms you describe could well be internal clogginess. It is possible the rubber diaphragm inside may make it to the end of the soak/flush regimen. IF it does, if it were mine, I'd still have it rediaphragmed as soon as possible.

 

You may be able to get it writing nicely again and use it fine for a couple weeks then I'd get it in the mail to someone. Danny Fudge comes to mind.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Cambell]

Okey dokey. I will finish cleaning it out and then have it serviced and repaired properly Thanks a lot guys

[OcalaFlGuy]

Oh and

 

Look at it this way. Even if you don't do a fill after your nuke flushing it's a nice touch for your first pen sent in for repair to be as clean as you can get it. Your repair person will appreciate it.

 

Just Google Danny Fudge and you should get him. I'd guess around $30 from him. He is one of the more economical repairpersons around. (IMO)

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[TimGirdler]

Well I have the pen soaking at the moment, but I currently have no ink anyway, so I won't be able to test it when I am finished

 

Who do you recommend for restorations? What sort of prices are we talking about?

 

Bruce has already mentioned Danny Fudge. I don't know Danny, but I have only heard good things about him.

 

I offer "51" restorations (you can peruse my website) and several others do as well. Tom Mullane (OldGriz) is a well-known restorer and, of course, Ron Zorn's reputation is impeccable.

 

Prices do vary depending on who does the work. I would imagine, however, that the prices are probably around $40.

 

Tim

[viclip]

Is this an aerometric or a vacumatic P51?

The initial reference is to using a "vacuum converter (?) to draw up water from a glass and eject it again" which to me suggests that this is an aerometric. The ply-glass sacs in those have a very long life indeed, my father's P51 Special which he acquired in 1951 is still going strong.

Perhaps this could be clarified since a good cleaning is all that may be necessary (as in the case of my father's pen & many other aerometrics that I've brought back to life, never having as of yet to replace a single sac).

[Cambell]

It has a ribbed bar that you are meant to press 6 times. I'll try and post a picture soon

[Cambell]

There we go.

 

The colour looks black but it is in fact a brown/red colour, and the barrel says 'made in England 0'

[viclip]

It has a ribbed bar that you are meant to press 6 times. I'll try and post a picture soon

OK, you have an aerometric. After a thorough cleaning you should be able to see air bubbles whilst swooshing water through the pen. That signifies that the pen most likely is in good workable order, so after expelling all of the water go ahead & ink it up & see what happens. Just make sure that the sac isn't leaking, which will generally be evident once you get water swooshing through it.

[Cambell]

yeah the air bubbles were still coming up after it had soaked and stuff, so I guess that's a good sign. Any recommendations for a decent ink that will work nicely? I like greens, but a black would be just fine too

 

Am I right in thinking that the '51 works with most any ink?

[viclip]

yeah the air bubbles were still coming up after it had soaked and stuff, so I guess that's a good sign. Any recommendations for a decent ink that will work nicely? I like greens, but a black would be just fine too

 

Am I right in thinking that the '51 works with most any ink?

For a recently rejuvanated P51 I'd initially use a mainstream ink known for its cleansing additives. Parker or Sheaffer blue comes to mind. Afterwards you can use pretty well any fountain pen ink, the P51's are famous for being robust & can handle the most quick drying inks due to their hooded construction.

[OcalaFlGuy]

If you've done an extended soaking and flushing with Ammonia water, IMO, no "cleansing" ink is going to get the pen any cleaner.

 

India ink withstanding, use whatever ink you wish.

 

I DO tend to use an ink of a first fill of a gone thru 51 that I know usually works well with most pens.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Edited January 30, 2013 by OcalaFlGuy