Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Onoto lost is suction

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    238
    Thanks
    45
    Thanked 97 Times in 71 Posts
    Rep Power
    5

    Default Onoto lost its` suction

    My plunger filler Onoto has lost it`s ability to take up ink. During a cleaning and flushing something happened and it no longer has the suction sound when the plunger is pushed in. I had it in for renovation about two years ago, new rubber seals and parts that needed replacement. I can`t see any way to open the pen. The repair guy of course had it opened but it looks like there isn`t any easy way about it?


    Is this a common problem with an old Onoto? I regret cleaning it too vigorously, I should have kept to only a light flush. How do I go about it?



    ...using my Pelikan for now...
    Last edited by arrow; January 11th, 2023 at 01:55 AM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Posts
    308
    Thanks
    264
    Thanked 424 Times in 204 Posts
    Rep Power
    4

    Default Re: Onoto lost is suction

    I am guessing that the pen has worked well over the past two years and you have only had a problem after you cleaned the pen too vigorously. Perhaps you can expand on what happened.

    Pen museum.co.uk has a better than average description on taking an Onoto apart but doing so is not for the faint of heart. Have a read and see what you think.

    The seals and inner workings of an Onto should last much longer than two years, especially when sorted out by a knowledgeable repair person. The last one that I did had been unopened for 50 years, still working.

    You might find that you have taken the pen apart to find that it needs new parts and a specialist fitter. You may want to contact the person who did the work two years ago for an opinion, from memory it was Derrick? Is that right?

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    238
    Thanks
    45
    Thanked 97 Times in 71 Posts
    Rep Power
    5

    Default Re: Onoto lost is suction

    I received the pen in working order September 2021 and it has worked fine until recently. I have not cleaned it much, just flushed and filled it with the same ink. I had left it for some time and not used it and I thought a more thorough cleaning might be needed. It had dried up a bit and the nib had a bit of paper fibers stuck to it. I flushed it in tepid water, a drop of dish washing liquid, and rinsed several times. I sort of aimed for clear water, but the red in the ink was stubbornly showing, I just kept rinsing, pushing the rod up and down. That is when it happened. The pen was repaired by Derrick Purser, I think he ordered parts just for this pen. The other pens he did are fine, but they are with rubber sacks. I would happily contact him again and send it back for repair.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Posts
    308
    Thanks
    264
    Thanked 424 Times in 204 Posts
    Rep Power
    4

    Default Re: Onoto lost is suction

    I think that I would send off an email to Derrick and ask for advice. There is a specialist manufacturer of Onoto parts, the name escapes me for the minute, he will probably liase with them in terms of remedial action. In the meantime, see if you can try and fill the pen with bottled water and leave it as it is until you hear from Derrick

    Best of luck
    Last edited by RobJohnson; January 8th, 2023 at 10:10 PM. Reason: Spelling

  5. #5
    Senior Member dneal's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    5,982
    Thanks
    2,397
    Thanked 2,272 Times in 1,300 Posts
    Rep Power
    16

    Default Re: Onoto lost is suction

    custompenparts.co.uk is the site I believe RobJohnson is referring to.
    "A truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged."

  6. #6
    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Carlisle, Pennsylvania USA
    Posts
    4,903
    Thanks
    1,395
    Thanked 6,379 Times in 2,500 Posts
    Rep Power
    18

    Default Re: Onoto lost is suction

    Apply a smear of silicon grease to the plunger rod and see if filling improves.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    238
    Thanks
    45
    Thanked 97 Times in 71 Posts
    Rep Power
    5

    Default Re: Onoto lost is suction

    Sad news regarding Derrick, his daughter informs me that he died after short illness. I didn`t know until now, and an important part of the pen community is gone.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Posts
    308
    Thanks
    264
    Thanked 424 Times in 204 Posts
    Rep Power
    4

    Default Re: Onoto lost is suction

    Quote Originally Posted by arrow View Post
    Sad news regarding Derrick, his daughter informs me that he died after short illness. I didn`t know until now, and an important part of the pen community is gone.
    That is very sad news, he was a lovely man, a real gentleman.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Posts
    308
    Thanks
    264
    Thanked 424 Times in 204 Posts
    Rep Power
    4

    Default Re: Onoto lost is suction

    PM sent

  10. #10
    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Highlands of Scotland
    Posts
    1,744
    Thanks
    2,333
    Thanked 1,912 Times in 840 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Onoto lost is suction

    That's very sad. Derrick did a lot of work for me over the years. He was a nice, helpful guy. The expert on Onotos is Eric Wilson ericthepen@gmail.com
    Regards,
    Deb
    My Blog

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to Deb For This Useful Post:

    welch (January 15th, 2023)

  12. #11
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Posts
    308
    Thanks
    264
    Thanked 424 Times in 204 Posts
    Rep Power
    4

    Default Re: Onoto lost is suction

    PM sent.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •