Mek (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) Substitute

[3rdlakerobert]

I'm trying to replace the seal inside the bottom of the barrel in a Sheaffer Vac-Fil pen. The directions I've read say to install a "donut" seal and then a washer into the cavity. These are available from a number of pen part suppliers like Vintage Pens. The donut is a press fit, and the washer sort of lies on top of it just making contact with the barrel's interior surface but not actually pressed into the 1/4" diameter cavity, since the donut takes up most of the cavity's depth. MEK is then dripped onto this "sandwich" to weld it together and to the barrel.

 

In two or three tries, I've failed to obtain a bond using the product available in my local hardware store, MEK Substitute. The washer always comes loose when the rod is run up through the sandwich seal. I'm using about 5-7 drops applied with a pipette. I've even cut down a scrap barrel so I can see what's going on when I install the donut, washer, and the MEK. Just looks like the MEK Substitute isn't actually welding well enough to bond the parts together.

 

I assume MEK itself, not the substitute, is unavailable to the general public. Is there another solvent I can use? Should I attempt to bond the donut and washer in place with an adhesive? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[OcalaFlGuy]

MEK is available in cans at Lowes.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[FarmBoy]

The fake MEK is usually ethyl acetate, it will not bond the seal.

 

Some states have banned the retail sale of MEK, I live in one such local.

[Tasmith]

Use MEK in a well ventilated area. The fumes will give you a headache.

[Algester]

MEKP huh... all I know you can get it if your into the blank making resins easily... other than that I dunno... we can somehow get them locally as well but the supplier is being secretive about how to get one for consumer retail... thats for our country

Edited June 29, 2014 by Algester

[OcalaFlGuy]

Use MEK in a well ventilated area. The fumes will give you a headache.

 

In addition to being easily able to make you dead.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[Vintagepens]

One full drop of MEK is more than enough.

If the OP had had the misfortune to put 5-7 drops of real MEK into the end of the barrel, in all likelihood it would have ended up a gooey, melted mess.

 

Epoxy can also be used to close the packing compartment. Important thing is to put it where it belongs and nowhere else.

 

David

[3rdlakerobert]

MEK is available in cans at Lowes.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

Thanks. I'll look.`

 

The fake MEK is usually ethyl acetate, it will not bond the seal.

 

Some states have banned the retail sale of MEK, I live in one such local.

 

Since the three hardware stores I checked didn't have it, I'm going to guess New York is another such state.

 

Use MEK in a well ventilated area. The fumes will give you a headache.

 

Thanks. I'm going to be cautious. I have a mask with pretty good filtration that used when I painted cars.

 

MEKP huh... all I know you can get it if your into the blank making resins easily... other than that I dunno... we can somehow get them locally as well but the supplier is being secretive about how to get one for consumer retail... thats for our country

 

Nope, don't make blanks (er, well, maybe after that surgical procedure I had . . . )

 

 

In addition to being easily able to make you dead.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

Yep, just one more reason to be careful in the shop.

 

One full drop of MEK is more than enough.

If the OP had had the misfortune to put 5-7 drops of real MEK into the end of the barrel, in all likelihood it would have ended up a gooey, melted mess.

 

Epoxy can also be used to close the packing compartment. Important thing is to put it where it belongs and nowhere else.

 

David

 

One drop!? Good to know! Looks like I may try epoxy since I'm probably not going to find the real MEK. I just need to figure how to do it. Thanks!

[Ron Z]

I moved from NYS in January. I bought the last of the MEK at the hardware store a number of years ago when the product was disappearing off of the shelves.

 

You can use acetone, but it tends to dry more quickly. As David said, you can use epoxy, but be careful to make sure that it goes on the edge of the packing unit after the 0-ring is in place and before you put the retaining washer in place. Apply sparingly so that you don't get it the middle of the 0-ring or down the side of the barrel.

[Vintagepens]

Easier to put the epoxy on the retaining washer, using a tube to protect the inside of the barrel.

Or you can make a tool, as I did, which carries and pushes the washer into place while centering it in the barrel.

[Algester]

 

Thanks. I'll look.`

 

 

Since the three hardware stores I checked didn't have it, I'm going to guess New York is another such state.

 

 

Thanks. I'm going to be cautious. I have a mask with pretty good filtration that used when I painted cars.

 

 

Nope, don't make blanks (er, well, maybe after that surgical procedure I had . . . )

 

 

Yep, just one more reason to be careful in the shop.

 

 

One drop!? Good to know! Looks like I may try epoxy since I'm probably not going to find the real MEK. I just need to figure how to do it. Thanks!

yes MEKP as a catalyst doesnt need much for somewhere between a ration of 50ml resin you will end up using 3-4 drops of MEKP depending on temperature... but thats 50ml when I imagine you using it on a dry material... mmm till dangerous stuff... lol now im not sure if hobby glue would even do the work heck... I'm not sure if its even safe for a vac-filler since its a PES (polypropylene ethyl styrene) based resin glue or so I think it is

[3rdlakerobert]

I moved from NYS in January. I bought the last of the MEK at the hardware store a number of years ago when the product was disappearing off of the shelves.

 

You can use acetone, but it tends to dry more quickly. As David said, you can use epoxy, but be careful to make sure that it goes on the edge of the packing unit after the 0-ring is in place and before you put the retaining washer in place. Apply sparingly so that you don't get it the middle of the 0-ring or down the side of the barrel.

 

 

Easier to put the epoxy on the retaining washer, using a tube to protect the inside of the barrel.

Or you can make a tool, as I did, which carries and pushes the washer into place while centering it in the barrel.

 

 

yes MEKP as a catalyst doesnt need much for somewhere between a ration of 50ml resin you will end up using 3-4 drops of MEKP depending on temperature... but thats 50ml when I imagine you using it on a dry material... mmm till dangerous stuff... lol now im not sure if hobby glue would even do the work heck... I'm not sure if its even safe for a vac-filler since its a PES (polypropylene ethyl styrene) based resin glue or so I think it is

 

Thanks to all! Vacation is interrupting this restoration, but I'm going to try to finish it as soon as I get back.