Fixing Hairline Crack Pilot Custom 823

**Jacquelinezr** · March 13th, 2019, 02:34 PM

This is my first post here though I've been reading for years. Hope someone can help. I have a Pilot Custom 823 that has a hairline crack going across almost the entire thread. Is there glue or some kind of resin I can use to seal it? The pen is unusable like this and I love this pen. I don't care if putting a sealant on the crack makes the pen unattractive -- I love this pen for the quality so fixing it is my primary concern. Thank you for any help you can give me.

**Jon Szanto** · March 13th, 2019, 02:43 PM

Well, it is hard to be definitive without photos. That said... "across... the... thread". Does it go across the pen, parallel to the threads, or does it go in a line from nib to end of barrel, direction-wise? It's a very bad place for a crack because of the stresses. No solvent or plastic welding material will hold for any real length of time. IF the crack goes from tip to end direction, you might have some luck with the product called Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure. It is a thin sealant used in maritime applications, and is almost as thin as water. A small amount is applied and the crack will suck it in. Repeated applications until no more goes in and then curing for 2-3 days. That might be your only hope, otherwise you should write Pilot about a replacement barrel.

**Chrissy** · March 13th, 2019, 02:51 PM

I remember writing a post mentioning Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure and Ron Zorn said it has no strength at all, so it probably won't hold threads closed.

I wonder if something like a 2 part epoxy adhesive will have the best chance assuming the crack is vertical.

**Jon Szanto** · March 13th, 2019, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Chrissy

I remember writing a post mentioning Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure and Ron Zorn said it has no strength at all, so it probably won't hold threads closed.

I wonder if something like a 2 part epoxy adhesive will have the best chance assuming the crack is vertical.

I agree with the former statement: it is a sealant, not a glue or adhesive. It would only assist in the event of a crack that did not 'open and close' or have any movement. As to the former, the problem is that there is simply not enough surface area for a strong bond - even solvent welding a crack in the threaded area is not promising and trying to do so would also most certainly muck up the threads.

**Jacquelinezr** · March 13th, 2019, 03:43 PM

I'm trying to attach a photo I just took, but this is my first time posting this, so not having an easy time. The hairline crack goes across the threads, not with them. This is so depressing -- this wasn't a cheap pen and I have no idea how it cracked because I baby my pens.

**Jacquelinezr** · March 13th, 2019, 03:44 PM

Well, here's the link to the photo. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hI...1kiR-0h2Lh2VJK

**Jon Szanto** · March 13th, 2019, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Jacquelinezr

Well, here's the link to the photo. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hI...1kiR-0h2Lh2VJK

Oh, man, that is not happy. I think it is folly to pursue what might have caused a crack like that. It would be awfully good if someone with a lot of experience in this kind of work could comment. I might suggest that if you aren't a member of the Fountain Pen Network (sorry, folks), you consider creating an account there and then post this in the Repair forum along with the photo, specifically asking if Ron Zorn would weigh in on the topic (he moderates that forum). The only other thing would be to consider writing him at his business, Main Street Pens.

Best of luck!