Lefty with a squeaky Vista Lamy italic

[treeverte]

I just got this pen. I love that I can see through it. I love that it is the perfect italic. Okay as

a leftie I have to adjust the fit in my hand because I twist the position from how Lamy wants you to place your finger...my problem is because lefties push the pen instead of pull...I get a a squeaky sound and slight scratchy sensation. Can I fix this?

 

I have a rotring art pen that is heaven and smooth but totally impractical to drag around with me.

 

Any suggestions to fix this would be appreciated!

 

 

Treeverte

[kissing]

I'm not sure if this is a wise path to follow, but 'sanding' the nib on a piece of everyday brown paper bag, or some kind of specialised micromesh paper is a common way some of us use to cure a sqeaky nib.

 

Just rub it in the direction it squeaks to hopefully smooth out the rigid part that is causing the squeaking. However, be careful not to sand too much. Try at your own risk.

[treeverte]

Where do I find the micromesh paper? I live in New York City.

I though if I get desperate a trip to Fountain Pen Hospital might be helpful.

I don't know if they do this kind of thing. I would rather learn how to fix pens myself1

 

thanks for replying!

 

treeverte

[kissing]

In my position, I would just use a piece of brown paper bag to give a quick fix on the squeaky nib, but if you insist on micromesh paper, I think I saw them sold on Tryphon Pen Care products. He also has a bunch of other useful stuff for fountain pens on his catalogue. No affiliation (usual disclaimer), and his products are quite popular.

 

http://www.tryphon.it/catalogo.htm

 

Search "nib smoothing" on the ctrl+f function.

 

If you rub the nib on a piece of brown paper bag, you will notice differences in how it writes quite readily, so keep checking while your rub, and make sure that the pen is inked up while you do the smoothing as ink is a good lubricant + you can check your progress.

[jpolaski]

I have a Lamy Vista, and am a Lefty as well, and I also don't find that it performs well...has to be something with pushing the nib around... Now it just sits in the pen drawer...sigh

[kissing]

It also depends on how you write with your left hand whether a Lefty nib is appropriate or not. Some lefty's write comfortable with a Right Handed nib because they hold it in a particular way.

 

[Ray]

Whilst smoothing will help, the squeak may indicate that your tines are misaligned, and you ought to sort this out first. Look VERY closely at the point of the nib, holding the point toward you as though you were about to stab yourself between the eyes. If you have a loupe or magnifying glass, now is a good time to use it.

 

If the two tines of the nib aren't in perfect alignment with each other, you have a small bit of work to do. This thread explains it:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=3895

 

Ray

[kissing]

In my humble experience, Italics nibs that are perfectly aligned tend to squeak anyway if the angle on paper aint right. Nevertheless, after you align the tines with your fingernail (as described in Ray's link), you can finish off with brown paper bag smoothing (or that proper micromesh paper stuff), and all should be well.

 

It's funny I ran into this topic - I just finished fixing up my friend's Vector that had a misaligned nib. All I had to do use my thumbnail to adjust the nib and then a bit of brown bag to finish off. I didn't even need a magnifying glass

 

ps: The nib was also hooking downwards, so I used a metal ruler to curve it back up against the desk (like a lever). A dangerous method, but it worked in my case (If i broke his nib, I would have to buy him a new Vector nib, which are cheap anyway)

[treeverte]

Eureka! I was so frustrated that I came up with a solution that fixed not only my Italic nib but the medium point I was unhappy with.

 

I took my dremel drill with a polishing wheel and point, and red polishing compound and buffed away all the trouble areas. How I used it was to place my pen in writing position and buff in that position with the wheel under the nib, then I polished the edges and sides. You need to wash off the compound. I did concentrate in smoothing the down stroke that caused so much sqeakiness.

 

It must be caused by lack of finishing the Lamy pens as my Rotring Art pen, has never given me a problem except that it is just too darn long!

 

You can really tune up your pen easily this way.

their are a number of different polishing compunds, but I figured that if I could polish silver and

gold jewelry to mirror shine then this would work with pen nibs!

 

I also found on Amazon made by Eagle Industries sandpaper ranging from 1500-2500 grit!

 

I have a feeling the dremel is better though as you have a finer control IMHO.

[KendallJ]

Whew, talk about jumping right in. (I'm still cringing) I would still suggest micro-mesh, or mylar abrasive and manual smoothing.

 

You got lucky. With the speed of the dremel, it could have just as easily ended up in disaster. If you used a felt polishing wheel and happened to catch one of the tines, it would have been over in seconds.

 

I use a dremel to regrind nibs, but not to smooth them. Only manual adjustments for that.

 

glad to hear it came out ok, though.

 

Oh, and also, DO NOT try to use a felt wheel and polishing compound to polish your pen body. You will have melted pen in seconds. You can use a muslim buff and plastic compound for this, but still only at low speeds.

Edited September 16, 2006 by KendallJ

[treeverte]

I know it was a desperate move, but honestly was so upset by the darn pens I figured it would

have certainly better than having them sit in a drawer. I did examine them under a loupe before preceding!

 

treeverte

 

I did go ahead and send away for 1500,2000,2500 sandpaper for the future!

[treeverte]

Thanks for the tip on tryphon..I ordered a couple things right away!

 

treeverte