New person question….

[LuckyLefty19]

Sorry if this is a bit silly, but I’m totally new to FP’s and trying to restore (or at least make it useable) a Sheaffer AC 181 cartridge pen. Looking down the ink feed it appears to have what I am assuming is dried ink in there, but before I try anything to get it out I wanted to make sure that it is indeed ink or gunk and not something that’s supposed to be there. I have soaked it in dish soap and water for approx 48 hrs and it’s still in there…


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[Sailor Kenshin]

Do you have a plastic pipette? Or a bulb flusher? You could use that to see whether the pen draws/releases water. Oddly enough, I was just going through my Sheaffer cartridge pens. Maybe later I can take a look at the piercing post and see if it looks like yours.

[LuckyLefty19]

Do you have a plastic pipette? Or a bulb flusher? You could use that to see whether the pen draws/releases water. Oddly enough, I was just going through my Sheaffer cartridge pens. Maybe later I can take a look at the piercing post and see if it looks like yours.

Hey Sailor,
I don’t have a bulb flusher but I do have blunt syringes. I have not poked anything in there yet as I wanted to make sure what it was first. If you see similar in yours, or if you have any suggestions please let me know. I do appreciate it.


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[Sailor Kenshin]

Overcoming my inertia, I am happy to tell you my Sheaffer cartridge pens look the same as yours.

PS: Are you in the CONUS? If so, I could send a patented FlushInator™️ and extra carts.

[Ron Z]

The metal piercing tube has an insert that runs down to the feed. It fills most of the tube, and has a small slit that carries the ink from the cartridge or converter down to the feed and eventually down to the nib. You don't want to damage this at all. You can see it in the picture just inside the bottom edge of the thread bushing.

Sometimes these get clogged at which point you can try something like a very fine guitar string down the slit, or after an over night soak in water, you take the nib unit apart. Taking the nib unit apart would be best because then you can make sure that all of the dried ink gets cleaned out of the ink channels and collector fins.

Don't try to do it without the soak. You will need on the section in front of the thread bushing so soften the material that is locking the thread bushing in place. IIRC (it's been a good while since I've had one apart) there is also an 0-ring inside to keep the ink contained to the insert and feed and away from the thread bushing. I have replacement NOS, OEM Sheaffer 0-rings on my "stuff" page.

[Stands on Feet]

Here's what I see in the piercing post in my Sheaffer Connaisseur:

P0000330-Enhanced-NR.jpg

[RobJohnson]

Overcoming my inertia, I am happy to tell you my Sheaffer cartridge pens look the same as yours.

PS: Are you in the CONUS? If so, I could send a patented FlushInator™️ and extra carts.

...and also with mine.

In terms of flushing, if Lucky doesn't have access to a rubber ear thing then there is an alternative but it is not for the faint of heart. I know one pen repairer who puts the section between his lips and sucks water through the pen, he claims good results too and has followed this procedure for years, almost as long as he has been single.

[LuckyLefty19]

Overcoming my inertia, I am happy to tell you my Sheaffer cartridge pens look the same as yours.

PS: Are you in the CONUS? If so, I could send a patented FlushInator and extra carts.

Thank you! Yes, I’m in CONUS. I appreciate it.


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[LuckyLefty19]

Overcoming my inertia, I am happy to tell you my Sheaffer cartridge pens look the same as yours.

PS: Are you in the CONUS? If so, I could send a patented FlushInator and extra carts.

...and also with mine.

In terms of flushing, if Lucky doesn't have access to a rubber ear thing then there is an alternative but it is not for the faint of heart. I know one pen repairer who puts the section between his lips and sucks water through the pen, he claims good results too and has followed this procedure for years, almost as long as he has been single.

Thanks! I just tried the “Single” fellas method and I did draw water through. Although it doesn’t look as clear if an opening as the other persons pic, I’m going to ink it up and give it a whirl.


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[LuckyLefty19]

Here's what I see in the piercing post in my Sheaffer Connaisseur:

P0000330-Enhanced-NR.jpg

This one is not as clear of a hole as yours but I am able to get water through.


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[LuckyLefty19]

Closer view of what I have.


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[Sailor Kenshin]

Overcoming my inertia, I am happy to tell you my Sheaffer cartridge pens look the same as yours.

PS: Are you in the CONUS? If so, I could send a patented FlushInator and extra carts.

Thank you! Yes, I’m in CONUS. I appreciate it.


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Great. Kindly send address via Private Message.

[Ron Z]

A desoldering bulb works very well. Throw out the Teflon tip and fit over the section threads. Things don't blow out as easily as they do when you use one of those ear bulb syringes.

[MarcoA64]

you could use an empty honey or similar squeeze bottle. The cap has a silicon insert out of which honey comes out, ketchup whatever. you can fit the piece in it with the nib pointing upwards and squeeze water through it

[MarcoA64]

hold the piece with your fingers while you squeeze the bottle 😊

[DanceOfLight]

hold the piece with your fingers while you squeeze the bottle 😊

Lest you become witness to a rocket launch :-D

[Sailor Kenshin]

But FlushInator™️ should arrive soon.