How To Seal Up The Cap On The Hero 100?

[Bluey]

Hi

I really enjoy writing with my Hero 100. It's a really nice pen and when it gets going it can write for all eternity. Well until it runs out of ink anyway.

 

The problem I have is that when I leave it for longer than about an hour(I've not timed it) with the cap on it it will hard start. When it gets going it will write forever with no skipping, and unlike most pens that I've known it will not become drier and drier either so it will maintain a constant flow.

 

The hard starting can only be one thing - a leak in the cap. Blowing down the cap confirms this.

 

I thought about uploading a pic but I can't even see where the hole is although I can feel where the air is coming out.

 

What is the usual method for sealing a cap to prevent it from drying out?

 

thanks

[Dr.Grace]

I have the same problem with 2 Hero 100s, and I think it's a poorly designed cap. If there were a decent inner cap, the pen wouldn't dry out so quickly. I don't have a good answer except to buy a real Parker 51, whose construction is far better. Maybe others will chime in with ways to seal the cap.

[Bluey]

Thanks Dr Grace. Or perhaps buying a cap from a Parker 51. A quick check on the bay that is evil shows that a typical cap goes for around £25.

Hopefully there's a less expensive solution.

 

Currently testing out silicone grease. Not sure why it didn't occur to me.

Edited May 20, 2016 by Bluey

[Dr.Grace]

I haven't tried swapping caps, but my impression is that P51s are wider than Hero 100s, so the caps are probably not interchangeable.

 

Silicone grease is definitely not a permanent solution, if it works at all. A while ago, I tried dripping melted wax inside the cap, and it only worked for a while.

 

If you like the Hero, I'd imagine you'd really like a P51. The upgrade in quality would be worth the money, even if you bought a 51 Special (steel nib).

Edited May 20, 2016 by Dr.Grace

[Bluey]

I haven't tried swapping caps, but my impression is that P51s are wider than Hero 100s, so the caps are probably not interchangeable.

 

Silicone grease is definitely not a permanent solution, if it works at all. A while ago, I tried dripping melted wax inside the cap, and it only worked for a while.

 

If you like the Hero, I'd imagine you'd really like a P51. The upgrade in quality would be worth the money, even if you bought a 51 Special (steel nib).

It seems to work ok for me. Yeah you're right, it's not a permanent solution but given that I have other pens then it's a very reasonable and inexpensive solution for me. When it's run out of ink I'll put it away, and the next time it's in rotation I can apply some silicone grease and it will work fine.

 

I think the cost for a P51 is far too much to save me the hardship of applying silicone grease 3 or 4 times a year

This pen writes beautifully and that's all that matters. The P51, if it's second hand, probably won't, and nor can I trust that it will before I buy it.

Edited May 20, 2016 by Bluey

[Dr.Grace]

There are quite a few trustworthy 51 sellers, some on this board. But I'm glad you got your 100 working without too much trouble.

[Bluey]

There are quite a few trustworthy 51 sellers, some on this board. But I'm glad you got your 100 working without too much trouble.

Thanks!

I appreciate your help but it's highly unlikely that I will be buying the P51. It's not a pen design that is a favourite of mine and I'm not overly keen on the filling mechanism in either the P51 or H100.

[radiotech]

I knew this is an old topic. However, you can use this part: "red plastic cap for SMA connector" to seal the cap for the Hero 100, 329 and so on. The part fits perfectly into the cap of the Hero 100 and 329.