Parker 21 Hood

[jrward2]

Hello everyone. I've disassembled my parker 21 to get everything clean as it had a bunch of dry ink causing it to leak out everywhere. I've got everything cleaned up (goulet pen flush is awesome by the way) and am looking to put the hood back on. I've read in multiple places and seen videos that I need to put shellac on the threads when I screw it back on.

My only problem is I don't know what to get! SWMBO has some clear "topper" nail polish laying around. In the videos i've seen, it looks like they use some form of nail polish. I don't know though. Can anybody offer help on what I should use, where I could get it, etc...

 

[jrward2]

Also one more question about assembly. Is the collector that houses the feed and nib supposed to be pushed flush to the threaded ring (for lack of the correct term, hope it makes sense) or is there supposed to be a gap between the two. Initially when I took off the hood there was a slight gap, but i'm wondering if this was the cause for some of my troubles. The collector can be pushed flush easily, but at the same time I feel like if I do this the ink will leak through the top of the hood because there isn't a tight seal.

Hope my terminology makes sense in what I'm trying to describe. Could use a little help from the parker pros.

 

[syngent]

That would be Brian or Doug, hang tight jrward, the Mods are bringing in some new Stewards around town, and are caught up in that right now which kind of takes some time from here at the moment

but we see you, and will get an answer to you shortly

 

[the_edski]

That would be Brian or Doug, hang tight jrward, the Mods are bringing in some new Stewards around town, and are caught up in that right now which kind of takes some time from here at the moment

but we see you, and will get an answer to you shortly

+1. Wait for the real experts. They will tell you how to not have this all end in tears.

 

[nemo]

Shellac or some of Ron Zorn's section sealant, it softens at a lower temp than shellac. Shellac is probably best for that hood. Don't substitute nail polish in a pinch.

Just buy a container of Zinsser amber shellac at the hardware store, a 1/2 pint isn't very much (maybe 6 bucks) and you can use it elsewhere around the house. Not sure about collector, it's been a few years on my "51" repairs, sorry. Brian will chime in soon I hope. Meanwhile, here is an article about shellac.

 

[brianw]

Right on the money Nemo. I got my shellac and Vac lube from Binder, heard good things on Zorn's... and the hardware store is a good idea. The lip on the collector friction fits all the way in.

Before Shellacing screw the hood on a couple of times. to line up the nib on the point of the hood. Rotate the collector/nib to line it up as needed.

Remember a little shellac goes a long way

 

[brianw]

Oh and by the way.....since you have pulled the collector... check the little tube on the back and make sure it is clear and fitted snugly back in

 

[syngent]

Remember a little shellac goes a long way

Lesson learned the hard way

 

[the_edski]

Lesson learned the hard way

Story of your life. (Mine too in all fairness )

But also, this thread is why I love this place. You never have to wait long for expert help that would be hard to come by most other places.

 

[RichieRich3902]

Glad this popped up I have two Parker 21's sitting in my desk that need attention. One has a cracked hood so it has to go, the other has a bad sack that need replacing. So I'm just going to swap the good hood to the other pen, I hope it works.

 

[jrward2]

Glad I waited around instead of getting impatient and using nail polish. Sorry for my absence in the thread. I got really busy the past few days and was unable to check back immediately. Good to hear about the collector being pushed in all the way. It wasn't working great when I first got it, and I'd be willing to bet that someone tried to restore it themselves and did it like that.

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[Eeyore]

No nail polish! If you want a non-permanent bond at first, you may want to use rubber cement. That's not a long term solution though.