Cross Fp

[Maltharius le Marchande]

So I have a cross fountain pen that looks like a Townsend (has a 'ribbed' cap and 'ribbed' grip) but I'm not sure.

 

The barrel and the grip are black and the cap is silver(ish).

 

Can anyone help me identify it?

 

Pic Below.

 

Thanks!

 

Edited April 10, 2014 by Maltharius le Marchande

[The Blue Knight]

Waay to small to be a townsend. Your are a owner of a Cross Century II.

[Maltharius le Marchande]

Ahh - thanks.

 

Well that solves my first problem.

 

#2: I'm having a problem with the ink flow. I've cleaned it out (flushed it several times) but the ink will suddenly stop after a while. Once I refill it it's fine but eventually I'll have to start priming it by advancing the reservoir's piston.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks!

[The Blue Knight]

Your probably having a surface tension problem with converter.

 

There is a converter hack which hopefully should rid yourself of the problem. Here is a link to an Sbrebrown video that should help you out.

 

 

 

Another video that at about 30 seconds it shows you how to dissemble a cross converter.

 

[Maltharius le Marchande]

I'm trying out his 'agitator' solution and hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the tip!

[Maltharius le Marchande]

Well, it sort of helps. The pen still stops writing but if I give the reservoir a small twist and force the ink up into the nib its fine.

 

Can anyone think of something else that might help?

[The Blue Knight]

Maybe use a wetter ink? See

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/166987-wet-ink-for-dry-pens/

[Maltharius le Marchande]

I'm running Noodlers now. Not sure if that's a wet or dry ink. I'll have to hit Goulet Pens to check.

[Xqmano]

Both my century IIs can have the nib and feed pulled out as they are frictino fit. Might be an idea to check if there is old dried ink in the feed, which sometimes won't flush out.

 

And also check if the slit in the nib isn't too tight.

[lahlahlaw]

You can also take it down further at the nib collar, it it reverse-threaded and unscrews by turning it clockwise.

 

[Charles Rice]

Try flushing the converter several times with water and a few drop of Dawn. Then just water. You'll be able to see a difference right away as you rock the converter back and forth.

 

I've had this problem with all my Cross converters. Could be caused by the fact that Cross converters are on the skinny side. (and are not cleaned properly)

 

Cross Converter - Dia. .285" max - .255" min (outside dia.)

 

Parker Converter - Dia. - .295" (outside)

[Maltharius le Marchande]

Both my century IIs can have the nib and feed pulled out as they are frictino fit. Might be an idea to check if there is old dried ink in the feed, which sometimes won't flush out.

 

And also check if the slit in the nib isn't too tight.

I think that was the problem. I pulled everything apart and found a layer of old ink on the actual nib. Once I cleaned it out it seems to be working better.

 

Thanks!

[Mike 59]

The problem with ink not flowing in converters can be improved by 'flushing' with water + dish washing detergent, repeatedly filling and emptying 10 or 20 times in my case. I would think adding some ammonia would help also.

Also this same 'issue' does seem to improve with time and use.

The problem with the Century 2's plastic finger grip section continually turning, can be solved by tightening up the threaded part in the section.

As mentioned by 'lahlahlaw' (post #10) the section is held together by a threaded part, but it is reverse threaded.

I have found that removing the nib and feed, and using a Cross short cartridge, pressed into the section where the feed would be normally, it is possible to unthread the parts of the section to clean it, bearing in mind the reverse thread.

I want to think that the soft plastic cartridge won't damage the inside face of the section, and by chance it does seem to fit well. (Maybe it was designed to fit?)

Also I found a small amount of glue on the top few threads.

My Century 2 now has a fixed finger grip, which was the only fault in a pen I enjoy using.

Edited April 13, 2014 by Mike 59