Need replacement Parker Vacumatic pen

[penzard]

Hi,

This is my first post here, but have been a reader for sometime and the community here is wonderful.  Wanted to hear from this community on a problem with a fountain pen that I recently acquired.

 

Recently bought a Parker Vacumatic pen.  Didn't notice the bent and broken tine.  Don't want to throw it away, esp. as it is a vintage pen.  I am thinking to replace the nib, but trying to find a source for Parker Vacumatic nibs.  Anybody have a good source of nibs?

 

Either that or I can see if there is possibility to grind this down to a stub nib.  Is that a good idea?

 

Joseph

 

[inkstainedruth]

There may be people out there who can repair the nib, including replacing the tipping -- but I don't know how expensive a proposition that would be.

If you're anywhere near where a pen show might be held (especially one of the larger ones), I'd recommend that you check out the list of vendors and see what repair people/nibmeisters would be at it and show the nib around to get estimates on repairs; you might also be able to source a replacement nib that way.  

Barring that, you might check the repairs sub-forum to get advice/recommendations.  

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[langere]

@inkstainedruth is correct about pen shows.  If you are anywhere near the Washington DC Super Show, happening next weekend, you should go.  I bet you can get it taken care of there.

 

Erick

[jchch1950]

You can also look at the section on "Pen Repairs . Pen Making" at PenHero.com and find several dealers with nibs for sale. They were many vacumatic pens made and they were also different nibs, sizes and prices.

[crescentfiller]

You would almost certainly be better off buying a pen on ebay that has a good nib but damaged barrel or cap. The cost of having a nib retipped is prohibitive, or just illogical, unless it is a rare or large nib, and even then it can be questionable. That is, the cost can be in excess of the value of the pen. Furthermore, one retipper recently boasted to me that a four to six year life for one of his $200 tipping repairs is a very good lifespan. 

[es9]

14 hours ago, crescentfiller said:

Furthermore, one retipper recently boasted to me that a four to six year life for one of his $200 tipping repairs is a very good lifespan. 

I agree that obtaining a new nib is the more prudent path for the OP—that looks like a fairly typical vac nib and a replacement should not be hard to find. I am very curious about the comment re the lifespan of a retip. Assuming no other problems with the nib, a well done retipping should be as strong as the original. 

[penzard]

Thanks all for the response.  I have never been to a pen show and would love to go to one.  I don't live near the Washington DC pen show, but hoping to join the SF pen show this year if time allows.  As for the OP, I was able to work it out with the seller to return it based upon what it would take to get it fixed.  I just couldn't get myself to spend the time to try to fix it all myself.  Again thanks for all who responded.  If any of my other pens have nib issues, I will definitely remember all the advice given.

[FarmBoy]

There will be restored Vacumatics for sale at any good  pen show. 

[FlighterGuy]

I have 6 Vac nibs in my folder.  Hard to tell which size you would need.

[crescentfiller]

On 7/31/2023 at 9:46 PM, es9 said:

I am very curious about the comment re the lifespan of a retip. Assuming no other problems with the nib, a well done retipping should be as strong as the original. 

Yes, I was curious too! And I agree that when properly done, retipping should be as strong as the original. I probably used the 149 two dozen times since it was retipped (I much prefer my 146 MBs). The nibsheister argued that that was a very good life span for his work. 

So, yes, buy an old nib for your pen. A Parker Vac nib will be easy to obtain, and relatively cheap!