Vanishing Point Trap Door Mechanism

[Shanks]

Is the nib supposed to actually touch the trap door on using the
retraction mechanism ?

[Alan J]

Post by Shanks
Is the nib supposed to actually touch the trap door on using the
retraction mechanism ?

I had a close look at mine, and I don't think the nib does touch the
trap-door.
My guess is that the thin shoulder of the nib unit actuates the
trap-door, but I haven't disassembled the pen.

[Shanks]

Post by Alan J

Post by Shanks
Is the nib supposed to actually touch the trap door on using the
retraction mechanism ?

I had a close look at mine, and I don't think the nib does touch the
trap-door.
My guess is that the thin shoulder of the nib unit actuates the
trap-door, but I haven't disassembled the pen.

Mine looks like it touches and I notice that some people report leaks on
or near the trap door. Perhaps the two are related. Can any other VP
owners comment?

[Alan J]

Post by Shanks

Post by Alan J

Post by Shanks
Is the nib supposed to actually touch the trap door on using the
retraction mechanism ?

I had a close look at mine, and I don't think the nib does touch the
trap-door.
My guess is that the thin shoulder of the nib unit actuates the
trap-door, but I haven't disassembled the pen.

Mine looks like it touches and I notice that some people report leaks on
or near the trap door. Perhaps the two are related. Can any other VP
owners comment?

The gold part of the nib is highly polished. You should take out the nib
unit, and inspect it with a 10x lens. If it has been touching the
trap-door, there will be scratches, as the gold is quite soft.

[Shanks]

Post by Alan J
The gold part of the nib is highly polished. You should take out the nib
unit, and inspect it with a 10x lens. If it has been touching the
trap-door, there will be scratches, as the gold is quite soft.

Good idea. Will do. Just need to buy a 10x lens! Amazon here I come.

[Alan J]

Post by Shanks

Post by Alan J
The gold part of the nib is highly polished. You should take out the nib
unit, and inspect it with a 10x lens. If it has been touching the
trap-door, there will be scratches, as the gold is quite soft.

Good idea. Will do. Just need to buy a 10x lens! Amazon here I come.

Before you spend any money, if you have an SLR camera lying around, the
detached lens is often just as good as a jeweller's loupe for inspecting
fine details. Open it up to f2 or better.

[Bluesea]

Post by Shanks

Post by Alan J

Post by Shanks
Is the nib supposed to actually touch the trap door on using the
retraction mechanism ?

I had a close look at mine, and I don't think the nib does touch the
trap-door.
My guess is that the thin shoulder of the nib unit actuates the
trap-door, but I haven't disassembled the pen.

Mine looks like it touches and I notice that some people report leaks on
or near the trap door. Perhaps the two are related. Can any other VP
owners comment?

It doesn't make sense that the nib would touch the door because repeated
contact would ruin the nib.

Since it appears really close, I looked at mine with an LED flashlight and a
5x magnifier. It doesn't touch; the feed underneath the nib pressures the
door open.

When I removed the nib unit and examined it, there's a worn spot where it's
rubbing against the door. The nib itself doesn't have comparable marks.

Leaks on or near the trap door? Are people really peering into the barrel to
see if there's ink up there on the door or not? Perhaps I don't understand
the situation. It sounds to me like those unreasonably fastidious people who
complain about nib creep. As long as ink isn't dripping onto paper or
ruining clothing, it isn't a problem and shouldn't be an issue.

OTOH, if the pen is leaking, I'm not sure why the nib touching the doorway
would have anything to do with it anymore than the feed touching the doorway
since I can get ink on my finger from either.