5 replies to this topic

[Rocco P]

I've recently found a Parker VS in grey, my first.
For 10 bucks it would have been a good buy, were it not for the fact that the barrel does not thread anymore on the section.
Threads are there both in barrel and section, maybe a bit shallower than normal, but the problem seems to be that either the barrel expanded half a millimeter or the section shrank by the same amount.

I should I address this problem?

I've devised three plans:
1. Use a long lasting sac, like a silicon one, and shellac the whole thing to death
2. Heat the barrel till it's slightly soft and swage it half a millimeter with a collet
3. Sleeve either the barrel or the section threads and cut new threads

With my equipment I could do n. 1 or n. 2.

Being relatively inexperienced in repair, I'd like to hear others thoughts on this, though.

BTW, what are VSs barrels made of, and at which temperature do they soften?

Edited by Paolino, 15 July 2014 - 06:08 AM.

[david i]

Could work. Salvaging a pen is  a nice endeavor, though at $10, the cap, nib and other parts won't hurt you even if just tossed in parts drawer. I don't know exact material in the injection plastic, but my recollection is that it is more fragile than Parker "51" plastic.

 

regards

 

david

[BrianMcQueen]

I wouldn't try to shrink the barrel.  That sounds like the most potentially destructive method.  The shellac method would probably work, but may be hard to impossible to get apart in the future. 

 

DISCLAIMER: Don't follow the advice in the paragraph below unless you don't care about the risk of cracking your pen.

 

I don't ever really recommend this, but in this ONE case, a little bit of teflon tape wrapped around the section threads would help your threads come to grips with one another.  Teflon tape is generally frowned upon for pen repairs, but may just work in this situation.  Don't use much, because it could put too much pressure on the barrel and crack it.  Never use teflon tape to try and seal a joint where ink seeps out.  There are section sealants and shellac for that. 

 

Your best bet would be to find a new barrel or new section if you could find out which part is at fault.

[Rocco P]

Thanks for the kind answers.
I'll try with teflon tape first, and if it will not work then I'll shellac everything.
At least I'll have a user, and a nice one as the nib is a very smooth fine.

[david i]

I really disfavor Teflon. Cracked barrel seems to be the end result.

 

regards

 

d

[Richard]

I've had good results with Scotch Magic tape. A full wrap clockwise as you look at the section from the sac end, and screw it in. If it's still too loose, take the tape off and try two full wraps. (Never use half a wrap, this can create uneven stresses.) The worst case I've ever encountered was a Skyline that took three wraps.