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Thread: Parker 21 dripping onto page

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    Senior Member azkid's Avatar
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    Default Parker 21 dripping onto page

    If I am not careful and jar my "21" (even slightly) it will sometimes drop a big blob of ink onto the page.

    No other hooded pen I have is as prone to dripping (51, 45, Pilot Elite, MB 221, etc).

    Is this normal for a 21??

    If not what could the cause be?

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    Default Re: Parker 21 dripping onto page

    Nope, The quick diagnosis is you have air entering the system at some opoint it's not supposed to be.

    The source can be one or a combination of several. In no specific order. crack in the hood, poorly sealed hood, sac pin hole. poorly set nib/feed.



    Start with is there a crack in the shell/hood? replace it, ebay is your friend.

    Speakig of the shell/hood. can you unscrew it with finger pressure? Yes? You shouldn't be able to. Shellac it down and done. (give it a good cleaning while it's off)

    pin hole in the sac? how to find out? rubber bulb syringe cut off and placed over the shell/hood air tight like. submerge in water, squeeze. any air bubbles or ink jets?? bobs yer uncle & thereyago.

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    azkid (November 5th, 2018)

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Parker 21 dripping onto page

    I have only one Parker 51 and it's shell/hood has no shellac sealing it on. In the unusual event that I use the pen, the shell gets removed occasionally so that I can clean out the collector more thoroughly.

    However, despite having no shellac, it has never dropped a blob of ink on a page whether I have nudged it or knocked it while writing. Nor does it get ink in the cap while it's knocking around in my pen pot or on my table.

    Therefore, with respect to Elim, I doubt that is the cause of your problem. If you don't want your shell sealed on with shellac, I don't think it's 100% essential.
    Last edited by Chrissy; November 5th, 2018 at 09:38 AM.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Hawk (November 10th, 2018)

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    Senior Member azkid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Parker 21 dripping onto page

    I managed to unscrew the hood and pull the feed and nib. I believe I read that some kind of rosin is used as an adhesive.

    The sac has been holding a vacuum for several minutes so I don't think that is an issue. But it is filthy so I may yet replace it.

    Could the breather tube be an issue? It seems a bit loose-fitting. Could it have shrunk a little in the last 70 years? Perhaps ink is getting into the breather channel resulting in strange behavior?

    Side note: looks like the nib dates to 1Q 1952? (I see 3 dots around the 52)


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    Senior Member azkid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Parker 21 dripping onto page

    Good news! After replacing the original plastic breather with a stainless steel tube and sealing it to the section with shellac, the pen is, so far, behaving normally. It is like a totally different pen.

    It was even writing a bit dry with Quink Black, a medium-wet ink. Before, Quink was unusable and even dry flowing Pelikan 4001 Black was flowing too much.

    Turns out the nib is a fine not a medium or bold
    And I no longer see pools of ink collecting in the hood around the nib opening even after several minutes of writing.

    I will keep testing and keep my fingers crossed.
    Last edited by azkid; November 5th, 2018 at 09:29 AM.

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    busmatt (November 6th, 2018)

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    Default Re: Parker 21 dripping onto page

    Where did you get the replacement breather tube?
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Senior Member azkid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Parker 21 dripping onto page

    I happened to have some 2mm stainless steel tubing I bought for repairing a watch. I had to hand fit it.

    I have had a little ink pooling in the hood on one occasion yesterday. It wasn't as bad as before and it went away. The pen continues to write with correct ink flow and I think the accidental blobs of ink are solved. I will keep using and monitoring it.

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    KrazyIvan (November 12th, 2018)

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    Default Re: Parker 21 dripping onto page

    It sounds like a great idea that worked like a charm. Good job.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    azkid (November 7th, 2018)

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