Parker 51 Vac. Ink Starvation

[ISW_Kaputnik]

One of my two Parker 51 Vacumatics is going to need to be sent out, but before I do that, I'm trying to understand better what is likely to be wrong with it.

 

The filling mechanism appears to be fine. Measuring the amount of ink it takes in by filling from a vial, it takes in a little more than a ml. There are no apparent leaks when I carry it around. I have soaked it in water overnight a number of times, and flushed it many, many times with water.

 

When I fill it, it will write well enough, perhaps a bit dry, for four or so journal pages, then it will just seize up and not write any more. Wetting the nib will help briefly, but then it will seize up again and refuse to be restarted. However, the ink is still in there. If I hold it over something and work the plunger at this point, a lot of ink comes out.

 

It's similar to what you will see in a C/C pen sometimes, where there is plenty of ink left in the converter, but an air bubble or something keeps it from getting to the feed, and the pen dries up. But how would that happen with the Vacumatic mechanism?

 

I've had this pen about a year and half. Bought it from an eBay seller who had supposedly restored it himself. The problem did not immediately become apparent, and it's a bit late now to go back to that seller. I'm thinking that he sold it in good faith, but got something wrong with the repair. Before I send this off to Danny Fudge or someone, it would be interesting to read opinions on what could have gone wrong.

[Paul80]

Hi

 

My first thought would be a partial blockage in either the vent tube or ink feed channel, you will need to unscrew the hood to gain access to both though.

 

Also what ink are you using, I find I get the best results with 51's both Vac and Areo using Parker's own Quink ink, they often don't like some of the dryer inks available.

 

If you are not using Parker or Waterman inks, try some before you send it away.

 

Paul

[Florida Blue]

I agree with Paul. The seller may have properly replaced the diaphragm, but they may have not given the pen a thorough enough cleaning, which would require removing the hood and disassembling the collector, nib, feed and breather tube. Ink could be clogging up the breather tube or the bottom fins in the collector.

[ISW_Kaputnik]

Hi

 

My first thought would be a partial blockage in either the vent tube or ink feed channel, you will need to unscrew the hood to gain access to both though.

 

Also what ink are you using, I find I get the best results with 51's both Vac and Areo using Parker's own Quink ink, they often don't like some of the dryer inks available.

 

If you are not using Parker or Waterman inks, try some before you send it away.

 

Paul

Thanks for the suggestion. That sounds likely. I'm a bit paranoid about removing the hood myself after destroying one on a 21 when I tried to do that. I might have a go very very carefully, and back off if I can't get it to budge easily. The thing is, if I understand correctly, these usually have some shellac holding them in place, and judging the right amount of heat to loosen that without causing damage is the problem for me.

 

The last ink I tried was Pilot Blue Black, which I think of as a safe ink for any pen. I do have some blue-black Quink, though, which I rarely use, and it couldn't hurt to give it a shot. I plan to wait a couple of months before sending this out, anyway, but it's a nice pen, and I want to get it working.

[Florida Blue]

Thanks for the suggestion. That sounds likely. I'm a bit paranoid about removing the hood myself after destroying one on a 21 when I tried to do that. I might have a go very very carefully, and back off if I can't get it to budge easily. The thing is, if I understand correctly, these usually have some shellac holding them in place, and judging the right amount of heat to loosen that without causing damage is the problem for me.

 

The last ink I tried was Pilot Blue Black, which I think of as a safe ink for any pen. I do have some blue-black Quink, though, which I rarely use, and it couldn't hurt to give it a shot. I plan to wait a couple of months before sending this out, anyway, but it's a nice pen, and I want to get it working.

 

The hoods of 21 are prone to cracking even without any disturbance. They were made from thin, soft plastic. The 51 is made from Lucite and is much more hardier. Yes, the hoods of 51 are shellacked. However, patience is the most important tool in pen repair.

[Mr. JW]

I had a similar issue with my 51 recently. I tried a long flush, different inks, etc., all without success. It ended up having a a hood that was too tight (probably due to shrinkage) that was restricting ink flow. Not saying that is what is happening with your 51, but it's a possibility.