Jinhao 992: A Remedy For The Barrel Cracking Issue 

chrisrap52 It is not easy to make sure if Jinhao had actually made modifications to the moulds for the barrel and end plug; if the plug feels a bit less tight on one example, it could also be due to dimensional variation within tolerance. But for my money, I would routinely modify every example that comes into my possession using this method, as a mean to inoculate it against cracking, but there again I do not yet have any plan to purchase more specimens.

+Rogelio Garcia-Cavazos I am glad that you have found my efforts of some value. Please keep us informed of your pen's progress down the line.

Interesting observation! I wonder if the sections are less prone to developing cracks, if that be the case, we could very well use the sections as basis for new custom pens by making new ebonite pen barrels and caps.

I just use the tiny built-in microphone on my digital compact for audio, less than perfect audio quality is to be expected.

@@Seele2015au I think @SilverScale is suggesting that you have a good delivery, like a classic BBC broadcast with nice modulation. I agree with the sentiments.

radellaf I am aware of solvent-type adhesives like the Scotch you mentioned; please note that by nature, it would only work on some plastics, as the solvent component can affect some types, and I certainly would not want to make any recommendation which might cause further problems, including affecting the appearance and finish. The solvent type adhesive is also not suitable for filling spaces in the same way as resin either.

Seele2015au Not saying the epoxy isn't better, especially for ED conversion (where there is a significant gap that needs filling), but for fixing a pen I paid a buck for, it'll hold the end bit in and hasn't hurt the plastic. I don't have much of a repair kit so If I had to go buy & mix epoxy I probably wouldn't have bothered. I had the Scotch on hand. Do appreciate the video for showing how easy it is to do this. I'd never have thought the end bit just pops out, or to use a rattail on the hole. The glue doesn't dry completely clear, so here's a photo. If this isn't acceptable, don't use the glue I mentioned: i.imgur.com/X50cxRV.jpg

Aodhgan Merrimac If the cap breaks it would be structural failure, I cannot see how it can be put back together using reversible methods.

Hope it works out for you; a bit of flexibility is desirable for the adhesive, as the solid plug that causes the problems is not capable of offering a bit of "give". On the other hand the costlier similar ones have hollow plugs, a significant factor in their longevity.

jerry550, I do not have a good collection of the 992, all I have are these two, so I cannot give a definite answer. But based on my prior experience in plastics, solid colour means the incorporation of various opaque materials into the plastics itself, which can significantly alter its mechanical characteristics.

Seele2015au I had 3 or 4 of the transparent ones, they all developed small cracks near the plug. Perhaps they were older and the situation has improved? The solid color version seems to be free of the cracks. Coukd the cracks be below the surface and not visible in the opaque versions?

jerry550, if cracks develop it would go through the thickness of the material. But there is another factor: clear materials would show the crack as you can see through the material to notice the crack, opaque materials would not allow that, so cracks might be present but they would not be noticeable.

Over-tightening the cap can easily pass the point where the inherent strength of the material gives way.

I thought of that too as it is the internal stresses that caused the issue, but it's easier said than done.

Jan Kafka I am sorry that they do not work out for you; many people have success with them me included,, and the seal between the section and nib unit is a very nice touch that should have been adopted by many other makers.

Seele2015au I am a seasoned pen collector & user with many fine pens. I have as many very inexpensive, somewhat inexpensive and not all that inexpensive Chinese pens as I do the usual suspects from Japan, Europe & the USA. I won’t even use the phrase “for the money” in describing how pleased I am with most of my Chinese pens. Especially in the past few years the quality has shot up off the charts. So when looking at some of my $2 pens and some of my $200 pens...I honestly had to retire the ‘you get what you pay for’ perspective. Sometimes you don’t...but sometimes you get way, way more. YMMV

@@davidmathews2124 could not agree more, the beauty of the Jinhao pens is the variety of form and color. I have a nice collection of pens that otherwise I could not afford, also if you do have a problem pen you can replace it at minimal cost.