Parker Vacumatic Filler Unit Removal Tool

thingiverse

I recently took up a moderately battered Parker Vacumatic with the goal of restoring it--a challenging task, without a doubt. The key is having the right tool to replace the diaphragm, and that particular tool comes at a significant cost, especially since I was only working on one pen, not multiple units. Inspired by an alternative tool designed for occasional use, I created this c-ring. It's threaded to fit snugly into the filler unit's endcap threads, serving as a protective cushion for pliers to safeguard those delicate threads and preserve the original shape of the filler unit during removal. By the time my repair was complete, my ring had started to deteriorate, but everything remained properly aligned, and the new diaphragm was securely in place. The image shows the ring after its removal; it had become severely worn as I struggled to align the endcap's reflective components with the pen body's. 3 walls and 50% infill proved effective, but feel free to increase this to 100%; it won't significantly prolong the printing time. Of course, use this approach at your own risk. Conservative pen repairers may frown upon this method; if you want absolute certainty that your vac will be okay, consider investing in a 3-point vac wrench. Remember to proceed slowly, maintain a warm joint, and apply only enough torque to initiate movement.