Sheaffer Snorkel Repair

I recently repaired a Snorkel (a Special) and thought it would be good idea to share my
experience with everybody. The following is a brief account of the procedure which went rather
well considering the fact that it was my first snorkel repair. Lacking a digital camera I made a
!uick sketch of the Snorkel assembly and various parts of interest. Scanned version of this sketch
has been attached to this post (and also stored on the web " here) for reference.
#$%. Tools and Supplies used by me &
'. (') Thin wall *ubber sac for Snorkel (Source+ ,ood -in)
.. /"ring and 0oint 1older 2asket (Source+ 3artin 4erguson)
5. Silicone 2rease ('667 0ure 4ood 2rade) (Source+ Silicone 2rease for 8ivers)
). Talc ('667 0ure 9nscented ) (Source+ Talc 0owder for -illiards)
:. ';<= x >= ?abinet Tip Slotted Screwdriver (Source+ Local 1ardware Store)
>. Shellac (Source+ Local 1ardware Store)
@. Sac Spreader tweeAers (Source+ Local 1obby Store) (Bote+ 0urchased but not re!uired)
<. 8ental 0ick Set
C. Sewing Beedle
'6. ,ooden toothpick
''. ,ooden Skewer
'.. Scissors
'5. Dar -uds
#-%. 4ollowing are the important repair steps arranged in a decreasing order of difficulty &
(i) Sac *eplacement+ The sac in the pen was still somewhat flexible and hence I had to puncture
it by pulling it out of the hole at the end of the sac protector with a dental pick and cutting a hole in
it. The sac protector on this pen was crimped. I un"crimped it using the sharp point of a dental
pick. I did this with utmost care so as not to cause a tear in the thin sac protector sheet and also
to avoid gouging the rubber stopper.
I then pushed the rubber stopper out of the sac protector using the tip of an ear bud. ,hile doing
so I accidentally pushed out the inner rubber feed out of the snorkel tube. I noticed that the feed
had twisted a little when it was pushed out so that the slit on the feed no longer aligned with the
slit on the snorkel tube. I then decided to push out the feed completely clean it realign it and
push it back. This was accomplished by slowly and carefully pushing it using a .6$,2 wire.
Luckily (beginnerEs luckFF) for me it slid out without breaking. This gave me a good opportunity to
study this part carefully.
/nce the stopper was out it was !uite easy to clean the remains of the old sac and to shellac the
new sac in place. I spread the shellac in a thin coat using a tooth pick and could easily slip on the
new sac onto the rubber stopper without using the Sac spreader tweeAers. I let the new sac dry
for more than an hour. -efore using the shellac I had pre"tested the shellac for drying time. The
sac received an ample dose of talc and the rubber stopper ;sac assembly was pushed back into
the sac protector. I carefully re"crimped the sac protector and ensured that it slid properly into the
section. The snorkel assembly was allowed to dry overnight.
(ii) /"*ing *eplacement+ This proceeded very fast. The rear cap was unscrewed. I noticed that
the rubber washer inside the rear cap was intact. Then using the sharp end of the sewing needle
I prodded and carefully took out the old /"*ing. I inserted and anchored one end of the new /"
*ing into the slot and then using a wooden skewer I maneuvered the remaining part of /"ring into
the slot.
(iii) 0oint 1older 2asket *eplacement+ This was easiest of all. Initially I found the new gasket very
tight. 1owever after a few operations it loosened a little. I avoided using silicone grease as I did
not feel comfortable with the thought of some of it finding its way into the feed gumming it up. I
hope the gasket will loosen up progressively with time and use.
(iv) 4inal $ssembly and Testing+ I applied a thin layer of silicone grease on the spring and on the
rear end of the touchdown tube Gust below the rear cap. *e"assembled the pen. ?hecked for the
tell"tale sounds of puffs on the up and down strokes of the touchdown tube. Tested the pen with
water. S!uirts of water confirmed the air seals in the pen and proper operation. 8isassembled the
pen and tested for leaks from the rubber stopper onto the snorkel tube and inside the section.
Satisfied with the results I proceeded to re"assemble the pen and to fill it with ,atermanEs 4lorida
-lue Ink. The pen started laying down a smooth firm and wet line immediately on contact with
paper.
#?%. ?onclusion+
The snorkel is an absolute delight to work on. ,ith patience and careful planning the repair is
possible even for a absolute beginner like me.
*esiAed to :<7 (was '<66 x ''C>) " ?lick image to enlarge