Vac Fil Repair Questions

[siamackz]

Hi, Im in the process of putting back the packing and seal in my small Tuckaway vac fil.

 

One question- Should I use shellac before screwing the seal nut and blind cap onto the rod? The reason I ask is because on two of my pens, the rod opened up off the seal nut and literally came out in my hand.

 

Thanks!

[Ron Z]

If the head gasket nut pulls off of the plunger rod instead of unscrewing, the threads are stripped, and it needs to be replaced. Shellac won't hold it in place. It is possible to make them, but you do need a lathe to drill the hole, turn the point, and make the little step at the end. All are there for a purpose.

[siamackz]

All done!

 

I used shellac at the head gasket but threads. But, not at the blind cap nut threads because it is hard to open this part up in the future if needed (and if it comes off it’s easy to screw back anyway).

 

First I disassembled the pen:

 

Next, I cleaned the insides, dried thoroughly, and then shoved the fat O ring back in. I pressed it in good with a wooden dowel to ensure it is absolutely flat against the bottom of the barrel inside the packing unit cup. I guided the white washer in with a guitar string. I needed to use a small hammer and I used a perfectly fitting drill bit’s flat end to really fit the white washer in there (the drill bit was chipped and unusable anyway):

 

I had to get creative with the delivery of MEK to seal the white washer in there. I pulled MEK into an injection, and transported it to the white washer using the WD-40 pipette. Silicone grease on the rod and the gasket, and I pushed it in. All done!

[fountainbel]

Well Done Sia, bravo !

You were lucky the screw-in triumph nib unit came out easily !

This is normally the hardest part of the repair...

Best ,

Francis

[CS388]

Nice job.

 

I have exactly the same pen (Clipless Triumph Tuckaway Vac) and it has become one of my favourites.

I have sold off most of my Sheaffers, but this one's a keeper.

 

Thanks for sharing

[siamackz]

Well Done Sia, bravo !

You were lucky the screw-in triumph nib unit came out easily !

This is normally the hardest part of the repair...

Best ,

Francis

Thanks Francis! I have read about the nib being an issue. Maybe I will have the opportunity to restore a more challenging triumph nib in the future Edited October 12, 2018 by siamackz

[siamackz]

Nice job.

 

I have exactly the same pen (Clipless Triumph Tuckaway Vac) and it has become one of my favourites.

I have sold off most of my Sheaffers, but this one's a keeper.

 

Thanks for sharing

Yup, I love everything about them - material, design, colour, nib!

[Erik Dalton]

Great discussion. Thank you.