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Thread: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

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    Default Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    Hello, I'm new to this community and I just introduced myself in the appropriate section.

    I'm new to the fountain pens world, and in December 2018 i acquired a nice Parker 45 Flighter. Before telling you which problem I'm encountering, I would like to introduce you my cheap but good looking Parker.

    The pen is a Made in England Parker 45 Flighter, the date code is "QL", so it was produced in 1980, and I received it in this Parker box:

    Outer cardboard box


    Inner plastic box:


    If we open it, this is what we find inside, the pen is held in place by a plastic pen holder:


    Lifting it, we gain access to the user's manual:



    And here is the pen, I already drained 4 Parker cartridges, the seller gave me two of them with the pen. It was like new, and still looks like new:



    Fitted with a medium stainless steel nib, the collar around the feeder says "M" too:



    And here is the Parker converter that the seller sent me the pen with:


    And now, we get to my problem, recently I acquired a Parker 14k nib, this one:


    Judging the size of it, and comparing it with my medium stainless steel nib, I'd say this one is an extrafine nib.
    So what is my problem?
    Whenever I try to fit the 14K nib into the feeder, with my M collar, the fitting is a bit stiff and I have to push the collar down more than I'm used to with my M SS nib. I disassembled the pen already, and cleaned it all, but this is how the 14K nib fits:




    I'm afraid that the nib point is too wide open.
    Did someone had this problem? And how do I solve it?

    Thanks everyone

    Bonus:
    I realized this genuine leather pouch for my pen myself, tell me if you like it:



    Inviato dal mio iPad utilizzando Tapatalk
    Last edited by ItsmeMario; June 1st, 2019 at 06:55 PM.

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    That is definitely not right. Too wide of a gap. I wished I knew how to help.

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    What is happening here is that the gold nib is thicker than the steel nib that was already in the pen, and is slightly more rounded than the steel nib.

    Therefore, when you fit the gold nib onto the feed, and push the collar forward, it presses it so much that the tines open. When fitting the gold nib onto the small feed, it has to seat in the correct position, but try to ensure you put it into the correct position very slightly more forward rather than pushing it as far back as you can, if you see what I mean.

    There should be a tiny amount of play with precisely where the nib can seat and still be in the correct position so that with the steel nib you might be able to see the end of the nib at the back when the collar is on whereas you might not be able to see the end of the gold nib. It's just a case of trying to tweak it very slightly so that the tines don't open.

    Try to not push the collar really hard against the nib, all the way forward, as that might prevent the tines from opening too. Really tiny adjustments might make the difference between the nib tines opening or not.

    Also, when you're fitting the nib, feed and collar to the grip, be sure to wet everything first in a solution of cool water to which a couple of drops of dishwashing soap have been added as that will make it easier to screw in. Be sure to flush clean water through and dry before filling with ink.
    Last edited by Chrissy; June 1st, 2019 at 10:49 PM.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    I thought the Parker 45 nibs came with their own collar feed attached, so you just unscrew one and screw in the other, so when you buy a nib you get the nib and feed together as one unit.

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    Quote Originally Posted by Paul-H View Post
    I thought the Parker 45 nibs came with their own collar feed attached, so you just unscrew one and screw in the other, so when you buy a nib you get the nib and feed together as one unit.
    They can be bought as units, but you can also buy nibs for fitting into the units you already have. They can easily be swapped between units.

    Even Parker sold them as nibs in small packs.

    Steel nibs do have a slightly different profile to gold nibs, but they are still interchangeable.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    What is happening here is that the gold nib is thicker than the steel nib that was already in the pen, and is slightly more rounded than the steel nib.

    Therefore, when you fit the gold nib onto the feed, and push the collar forward, it presses it so much that the tines open. When fitting the gold nib onto the small feed, it has to seat in the correct position, but try to ensure you put it into the correct position very slightly more forward rather than pushing it as far back as you can, if you see what I mean.

    There should be a tiny amount of play with precisely where the nib can seat and still be in the correct position so that with the steel nib you might be able to see the end of the nib at the back when the collar is on whereas you might not be able to see the end of the gold nib. It's just a case of trying to tweak it very slightly so that the tines don't open.

    Try to not push the collar really hard against the nib, all the way forward, as that might prevent the tines from opening too. Really tiny adjustments might make the difference between the nib tines opening or not.

    Also, when you're fitting the nib, feed and collar to the grip, be sure to wet everything first in a solution of cool water to which a couple of drops of dishwashing soap have been added as that will make it easier to screw in. Be sure to flush clean water through and dry before filling with ink.
    Thank you everyone, and thank you Chrissy, this was absolutely clear, I will try to fit it again when I get back home, and updated you right after!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Paul-H View Post
    I thought the Parker 45 nibs came with their own collar feed attached, so you just unscrew one and screw in the other, so when you buy a nib you get the nib and feed together as one unit.
    They can be bought as units, but you can also buy nibs for fitting into the units you already have. They can easily be swapped between units.

    Even Parker sold them as nibs in small packs.

    Steel nibs do have a slightly different profile to gold nibs, but they are still interchangeable.
    I tried to follow your advice Chrissy, this is the best I could do, the tines are now closer, but still there is some distance between them.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    Second try, I tried to see where the problem was.

    So I took the old stainless steel nib, and compared it to the 14K one, I saw that a section in particular was thicker in the gold nib, so I tried to flatten it down a little bit, and now it fits good!!!

    I guess the old owner of this nib somehow flattened it, and it just needed a little squeeze, here are the pics I took:

    This is the section, I noticed it was evidently thicker than the one on the SS nib:


    A little squeeze with some fine point pliers, and here is the new fit:


    I think it should be perfect now, what do you think?
    Soon I'll buy a bottled ink and will try it on the paper


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    That's now looking good. Good job.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    Nicely done!

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    I think you made that pen sleeve yourself, and I forgot to mention it. It's excellent, and your pen fits it like a glove. I like the shape of it.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    ItsmeMario,

    Nice pen, clever solution.
    ( Particularly liked Chrissy detailed explanation of the fitting of a nib )

    Great photography.

    The feed and collar is the same for all P45's from the earliest ( 1960 ) to the last ( 2008 )

    It does not matter where it is SS, GP or Solid Gold

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    Quote Originally Posted by proteus View Post
    ItsmeMario,

    Nice pen, clever solution.
    ( Particularly liked Chrissy detailed explanation of the fitting of a nib )

    Great photography.

    The feed and collar is the same for all P45's from the earliest ( 1960 ) to the last ( 2008 )

    It does not matter where it is SS, GP or Solid Gold
    Thanks proteus, I probably made it sound like I've experienced exactly the same problem. And I have! I've "jiggled" several nibs on Parker 45 feeds in order to get them to seat properly.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    Speaking of P45 nibs.

    This is a prototype that Parker considered.

    Interesting collar design I thought.
    Attached Images Attached Images

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    I think you made that pen sleeve yourself, and I forgot to mention it. It's excellent, and your pen fits it like a glove. I like the shape of it.
    Thank you a lot Chrissy, I refined it further today, pulled off the old white stitching and used a more serious dark brown cotton stitching, I will update this post tomorrow. Plus I refined the edges sanding them down with some fine grain sand paper!


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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    Quote Originally Posted by proteus View Post
    Speaking of P45 nibs.

    This is a prototype that Parker considered.

    Interesting collar design I thought.
    I really appreciate your post Proteus, I thought collars were different depending on the size of the nib, so I learned something new today, and I like it!

    I find that collar prototype really appealing, it's aesthetically pleasing without doubts, would be nice to know why they discarded it. The only reason I could think of, maybe it was too fragile?


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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    NICELY DONE!!!
    All P45 nib units should fit well, but those small defects could happen!

    I have the same P45 that I got as a present for my 1st communion (1980)

    Where did you get such a cheap nib?
    Last edited by titrisol; June 4th, 2019 at 12:34 PM.
    Unix is user-friendly ; it's just picky about who it's friends are -

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    I forgot to say—gorgeous pen!

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    Default Re: Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    ItsmeMario,

    The design of the P45 feed and collar is a masterpiece.

    Cheap to be made, elegant in design.

    The reason they discarded the other collar design was the retooling costs.


    I do not know where you live but in the UK these gold nibs in perfect condition are very available at about £10/15

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    Default Parker 45 Flighter, nib fitting problem

    Quote Originally Posted by proteus View Post
    ItsmeMario,

    The design of the P45 feed and collar is a masterpiece.

    Cheap to be made, elegant in design.

    The reason they discarded the other collar design was the retooling costs.


    I do not know where you live but in the UK these gold nibs in perfect condition are very available at about £10/15
    I live in Italy, and yes I bought my gold nib right from a UK seller, paid 12 pounds for it

    As promised, two more pictures, I made these today

    I agree, the design of the 45 Flighter is smooth, absolutely eye catching for sure, I've been lucky enough to find a Nos one, it has no scratches whatsoever on it. Maybe the SS nib can be a bit stiff; tomorrow I'm going to the fountain pen store near home and I'm going to buy a new bottled ink, so I can test this new gold nib!




    While this is the little pouch I made for my P45F with the new dark brown stiching, I like it more to be honest:





    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by ItsmeMario; June 3rd, 2019 at 05:20 PM.

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