Jr. Pens Un-Capping

[bikenstock]

Hello all:
I have started penturning this year. I did a few of the Berea Parker Duofold fountain pen copy (aka Flat Top, Americana, etc) and like them fine except that they un-cap (de-cap? disencap?) [:0] themselves in a pocket or purse and leak. I got around to trying the CSUSA Jr. pens last week (Jr. Gent and Retro), and they are pretty and assemble well, but I have already caught them uncapping themselves in my shirt pocket. I thought the metal-to-plastic threads might hold better than the metal-to-metal Flat-tops, but they pop apart just like the Bereas. PSI addresses this with o-rings which seem to work fairly well. I was planning to try the CSUSA Statesman next, but I won't if it is prone to uncap the same way. Hoping for your vastly greater experience and any work-arounds on these otherwise nice FPs. Thanks.
Don French

 

[Ligget]

I use small black O-rings on all my Barons, Jr Gents & Jr Statesman pens. Certainly stops uncapping when in your shirt pocket.

And welcome to the group!

 

[R2]

Welcome to the frustration Don.

 

[wdcav1952]

I can't remember, what size O-rings do you get?

 

[Gary Max]

I can remember either but I bought a bunch of them

 

[DCBluesman]

They are from PlumbMaster, Inc. in Concordville, PA, part #35761.

 

[wdcav1952]

Damn Lou, I'll bet you know who was on the grassy knoll too!![8D]

 

[gketell]

Too bad you can't search their site by part number. Well, that is presuming that PlumbMaster.com is the same PlumbMaster.

GK

 

[ashaw]

One thing I have done on all of my pens is glue the trim ring onto the barrel. The press the thread part of the couple to 1/32" to the trim ring. This allows the threads from the cap to bottom out. So far so good. Now if I can figure how the stop the nib retainer from doing the same thing..

 

[Randy_]

There used to be an IAP member who sold the o-rings in reasonable quantities. If you buy them from the Internet you will probably have to buy a min. order.....maybe 100, maybe more and pay a big shipping fee.

I'll see if I can find the old post.

 

[Randy_]

I don't know if the o-rings are still available; but here is a link to the thread where they were offered. 25 o-rings for $3.15 and a self addressed stamped envelope.

FYI, it is a number 47 o-ring.


O-RINGS

 

[bikenstock]

Thanks, everyone, for the tips! Looks like o-rings are the consensus as the fix. Do the big FPs like the CSUSA Statesman and the Gent need them too? I have also made a few Churchills (7 or so) and they do not have this self-decapping problem so far. Is that due to plastic-to-plastic on the threads? Thanks again!
Don French

 

[Ligget]

Don I am not sure as I have only done the Jr versions, but would think they will have similar problem.

 

[Aderhammer]

Hehe i know your frustrations, two pants gone bad! i'll check to see if maybe my local sears carries the o rings before buying off the internet

 

[Randy_]

This is one of the reasons that many pen collectors turn up their noses at many kit pens. Can't say for sure; but I doubt that you will find too many O-rings on the pens of most collectors.

You can gussy up a kit pen all you like; but the guts are still just a cheap and in many cases ill-performing Chinese knock-off. Hell, the kit manufacturers still can't seem to make a click pen that works as well as a Bic from Wal-Mart.