Twsbi Vac Mini - Smoke Leak/crack?

[Inferno2Inferno]

So I recently purchased a TWSBI Vac Mini in Smoke from my local fountain pen store. I must say the filling mechanism is super cool and it writes really well, however, I am having an issue with it and I am seeking FPN community input. Today when I was writing, I noticed some ink drops on my thumb and the side of my middle finger where the grip section/cap threads would normally rest on my hand. My immediate thought was that there was a crack in the pen and that it was leaking onto my fingers. However, when I ran that section of the pen across some paper, there was no ink left behind nor was there any additional ink drip after more writing. I inspected the grip and cap threads with a flashlight and a laser pointer to see if there were any cracks and failed to see anything (in a way this was perhaps unsurprising as I never dropped the pen before).

 

This left me thinking, could it just be ink trickle from being bounced around in my knapsack, or is there actually a crack in the pen I should look to get repaired? Has anyone else experienced something similar before?

 

Thanks for any input!

[Erik Dalton]

Might be coming from the threads that join the section to the barrel. You might try unscrewing the section and putting some silicone grease on the threads. Be careful not to get the grease into the opening to the nib and feed. Your pen came with a tiny bottle of TWISBI silicone grease. This is not a "heavy" grease and is best for lubricating pistons. For creating a good seal in threads a thicker grease is more effective. Goulet pens, indipendance, are two that carry the thicker grease.

Once you snug it all up, if the leak is coming from here it should fix it.

 

Write back and let us know how you made out.

[Inferno2Inferno]

Thanks for the reply! Here is an update on the situation: I cleaned the cap threads on both the cap and the pen. For the past 2 days I have continued using it, and the issue does not seem to have recurred. If it happens again, I will definitely try the suggested trouble shoot and post an update here!

 

Thank you so much!

[Dufffader]

Hi there.

If there was a crack where the grip joins the barrel you should be able to see a line where the ink stains the plastic.

In my case, I've experienced crack in that section once. TWSBI replaced the grip section for me and it is working fine so far. And once I was on the plane and I opened up the valve to write something and I had a few drops of ink leaking through the nib! But you can tell when that happens as there will be ink in the cap. So my Vac Mini has been through all but it could be because I use it more than any other TWSBIs. (My Vac700, Eco, Diamond Mini were faultless)

With TWSBIs I try tighten enough to close but not too tight to stress the plastic. Its not necessary to have it too tight.

[asegier]

Strange. I have exact same thing happen to me. Every now and then I wipe a piece of paper across the threads and inside the cap threads and there will be some leftover ink. I can't see where this ink is coming from at all as I keep my pen in a pen holder in my bag held upright ALL the time, and there's no indication of ink that has "spilled" or "spewed" from the nib. It's quite irritating and I've kind of removed the pen from my rotation for now.

[debasisg]

I am having bad experience with TWSBI VAC Mini as well. The tail cap won't screw in correctly after a few days of use. So that was supposed to stop in leaking which won't work. The piston seems too loose. I opened it and found that there is a loose rubber ring between end screw and cap. Also, the vacuum piston and don't have the ink stopper that shows in the picture. Bought it from Goulet. They suggested contacting TWSBI and TWSBI claimed they made a recent design change and didn't update the product instruction. I thought TWSBI pens are great. In fact, the nib is still great. But the pen is now a dud. No fix. Just wasted whole bunch of time.

[asegier]

I am having bad experience with TWSBI VAC Mini as well. The tail cap won't screw in correctly after a few days of use. So that was supposed to stop in leaking which won't work. The piston seems too loose. I opened it and found that there is a loose rubber ring between end screw and cap. Also, the vacuum piston and don't have the ink stopper that shows in the picture. Bought it from Goulet. They suggested contacting TWSBI and TWSBI claimed they made a recent design change and didn't update the product instruction. I thought TWSBI pens are great. In fact, the nib is still great. But the pen is now a dud. No fix. Just wasted whole bunch of time.

 

Give them a shout. I'm pretty sure TWSBI will hook you up with a new pen or something. I heard their customer support is really good.

[debasisg]

Wanted to post an update. I did send a message to TWSBI. The design changes turned out real. Because, they sent me a replacement body for shipping only and that has the same design. Anyhow, their support turned out great. I use that pen regularly as I write a lot and the ink capacity and the nib quality are both great.

[akrohn2010]

I have had the same issues you described and almost sent mine in as well, but found out the design changes were intentional.

 

A thorough cleaning, change of ink, and some silicone grease where the section threads into the body solved my leaking issue.

 

+1 1for TWSBI’s customer service, though: they were quick to send me replacement O-rings when mine fell off the barrel mysteriously.