Twsbi Vac700 Vacuum Filler Question

[Historian]

I ordered a TWSBI Vac700 and I have a question about the vacuum filler mechanism. More specifically about the removal of the o-ring as demonstrated by Brian Goulet. Has anyone done this? I'm interested whether there are any (negative) long term consequences? Excessive nib creep? Very wet writing? Leaks? And so on...

Edited July 20, 2014 by Historian

[SirVival]

I have not removed he o-ring on my pens, but usually keep them with the plunger unscrewed in storage. This would basically be the same as the reservoir is always connected to feed and nib I assume.

No problems whatsoever for as long as I own them (ca. one year).

[flexnib]

Not sure of the video you are referring to but it is my understanding that the o-ring is replaced only if the old one is worn out and the vacuum is no longer tight.

[gerigo]

I have not done this myself, but it's not any different than what's in the Visconti HS bronze system. You just sacrifice the ability to close off the ink supply to the nib in the event that you want to do it, like taking a flight. The nib has a constant supply of ink.

[Historian]

Thanks everyone! I'm still at two minds about doing it. On the one hand, it might be a useful feature, on the other it might drive me nuts with the constant screwing and unscrewing of the plunger.

[Historian]

Not sure of the video you are referring to but it is my understanding that the o-ring is replaced only if the old one is worn out and the vacuum is no longer tight.

 

 

I was referring to this video:

[WaskiSquirrel]

I keep it unscrewed even if I set the pen down for a minute. The only time I screw it shut is when I put it back in my pocket.

[kidde]

It will depend on how much unscrewing the cap bothers you. I see it as being part of my pens character, not a nuisance but a part of using it. If it bothered me I'd remove the o-ring, but so far it doesn't. And you can always put it back in if it isn't something you like.

 

Paul

[Historian]

If I only have to do it when I'm actually transporting the pen, I think it should be ok, I think. I'll see after a couple of week using it. I was just a bit worried that if I removed the ring there would be nib creeps and leaks everywhere. Thanks again for all the replies!

[Gaslight]

First thing I did after unpacking was removing the o-ring, no problems whatsoever...

 

But the thought that there could be any problems didn't cross my mind, all fountain pens (c/c, eyedroppers, piston, etc.) have a permanent connection between ink reservoir and the feed..

[Historian]

First thing I did after unpacking was removing the o-ring, no problems whatsoever...

 

But the thought that there could be any problems didn't cross my mind, all fountain pens (c/c, eyedroppers, piston, etc.) have a permanent connection between ink reservoir and the feed..

 

Yes, that was what I was thinking as well, but you never know. I find it a bit weird that it's there in the first place.

[yogalarva]

I removed that little ring on my latest Vac (and stored it in the packaging in my pen box drawer, just in case I change my mind) and have suffered no ill effects from it. The pen now writes just like a piston filler with a huge capacity and I don't have to unscrew the back ever except to refill. I don't have any any problems with burping or ink making its way up into the cap unless I've been particularly rough with the pen, and in that case it's no more than what you would expect from anything else. :-) Go for it! Just save the o-ring and you can always replace it. Live life on the edge...

[tonybelding]

I never found any problems caused by removing the point seal (at least that's my name for it) from the plunger. If you don't lose it, you can always put it back in later, too.

 

My only caveat is that removing that seal did not solve the flow problems I had with both of my Vac 700. The feed still sometimes runs dry, and it's necessary to jiggle the filler knob to get the ink flowing again.

[Historian]

Cheers guys! I'll let you know how it goes once the pen arrives! Can't wait!