I've got this vintage Accurate pen
I've got this vintage Accurate pen
Last edited by Empty_of_Clouds; March 13th, 2020 at 05:05 AM.
I would not shellac the section in place. Instead I would build up layers of shellac to make the section fit securely in the barrel and allow it to cure completely before refitting.
amk (January 1st, 2020), AzJon (December 31st, 2019), Chuck Naill (December 30th, 2019), Kaputnik (January 1st, 2020), SchaumburgSwan (December 30th, 2019)
Before painting the area with shellac, it might be worthwhile eliminating other potential problems 1st, as Shellac is probably the last solution to consider.
I've dabbled with pen tinkering, so I'm not an expert so do not tke this as gospel, but these are some things I've noticed when taking pens apart. (Consider this an opinion from a not-so-wise head)
1/ The nib might not be a great fit. If it's not the original nib, then the build up of ink might by evidence that the nib doesn't fit, or isn't seated properly causing the problem.
2/ Could there be a missing o-ring? Some of the vintage pens I've taken apart have had O-rings beneath the hood. It's possible that the rubber has disintegrated and needs replaced.
Deb explains how to repair a lever filler pen here and does not shellac the section into the barrel. Even if you did shellac the section into the barrel it wouldn't be an airtight seal anyway because of the lever and box as you suggest.
An ink build up where the nib is seated into the section suggests the nib and feed aren't playing perfectly well together. As you've replaced the Warranted #8 nib with a Parker Duofold nib this would seem to be the more likely problem.
Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens
Chuck Naill (December 30th, 2019)
Another thing to consider: Duofold nibs are generally thicker than many others. I'm not terribly well up on the Accurate, but those I have seen had steel nibs, probably quite a bit thinner. If the nib is not seated well against the feed it might lead to the production of excess ink. Only guesswork, E-O-C, without sight or handling of the pen.
I think you're rather quick to level the accusation of cheating. He/She may just have got it wrong. Not much better from your point of view but there isn't necessarily an intent of dishonesty.
A section that is not firmly fitted can lead to a diiferent problem. Instead of the the pressure of writing being evenly distributed around the section, as is the case with a tight fit, the pressure is concentrated above the nib. Through time, this can cause damage to either nib or section.
Last edited by Deb; December 30th, 2019 at 05:04 AM.
Some might have thought that a Parker Duofold nib was a very decent upgrade on what was already there.
Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens
Chemyst (December 31st, 2019)
I'm confused by some of the answers in this thread.
If the nib and feed are tight enough in the section that the nib doesn't shift, then the fit is appropriate, and no damage will result. A loose section in the barrel will not damage the nib, feed or section. I don't like a section that is loose in the barrel simply because the shifting as I write is irritating. I suppose that the stress on the barrel as you write could cause it to crack, but I haven't seen evidence of that. Deb is right - if you want to tighten up the fit of the section in the barrel the best thing to do is to add a layer of shellac at a time, let it dry, and then test the fit. Warming the section and barrel as you fit it in place will allow the shellac to soften a bit, and will help to avoid cracking the barrel.
re. needing an air tight seal. With a sac pen, you want air to get into the barrel - and it will through the hole for the lever or the button. You do need an air tight barrel when the ink is held directly in the barrel, as is the case with a Vacumatic or Sheaffer plunger filler. A poorly attached sac or a pin hole in the barrel can cause the pen to leak. A silicone sac can cause the pen to ooze.
Now the oozing. Check the air channel in the feed. If a little too big, the pen might ooze. Check the set of the feed against the nib. It should fit close enough that you can not fit a piece of paper between the feed and the nib. If the nib won't shift easily, its snug enough in the section, and should keep ink from flowing around the nib and feed. Then there are the cases, especially on lower end pens when the answer is "some pens just do that," which is why you often find a wide chamfer at the end of the section - it keeps the ink from the edge of the section so you don't get ink on your fingers.
catbert (December 30th, 2019), Chrissy (December 30th, 2019), Empty_of_Clouds (December 30th, 2019), Jon Szanto (December 30th, 2019), Sailor Kenshin (December 31st, 2019)
I would be inclined to agree. But I admit that I'd be inclined to think, "Cool!" Even with the issues described, which can be fixed, the Duofold nib is a better nib and worth more. Warranted nibs are fairly common, so you could get one cheap, put one in, and have the Duofold nib for a nice pen that needs it.
When you received the pen it was obviously not as described in the ebay listing. Returning it for a full refund, with return postage paid by the seller, was always an option, but you liked it too much to do so.
It would seem that you maybe made your decision in haste without having checked the nib carefully enough.
You need to do something to make the pen that you like write how you want it to write. Ron's suggestion is a good one.
Last edited by Chrissy; December 31st, 2019 at 02:14 AM.
Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens
Chemyst (December 31st, 2019)
If the seller has offered you a full refund, and is still offering to take it back and give you a refund why do you say you "will have to chalk it up to another case of being cheated by an eBay seller" and that you "believe this is not a good representative of a vintage Duofold nib, and feel that it has just been passed off on me." ? What more can he do to help you?
Last edited by Chrissy; December 31st, 2019 at 03:29 AM.
Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens
Chemyst (December 31st, 2019)
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