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Vintage Aurora 88: How Does The Flow Adjuster Screw Work?


xwingrox

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For lack of a better phrasing, how does the flow adjuster screw on a vintage Aurora 88 work?

 

I adjusted the screw all the way in, all the way out, and somewhere in between - the results are all the same. My 88 writes smoothly but puts down way too much ink for my tastes. I even stuck the nib and feed assembly inside a straw and filled the straw with water to time the drip rates. The screw positions that resulted in a slower drip rate (still quite fast, IMO) still put down too wet of a line.

 

Individual letters do not fill in, as described by other 88 owners on the forum, but each word I write glistens wetly with ink until it drys (about 30 seconds+ later). I've tried various inks (Pilot Blue, Diamine Oxblood, Noodler's Black, Noodler's Antietam, Parker Quink Blue-Black, Waterman Florida Blue, even R&K Salix!) and the effect is the same. Granted, I don't have any super dry ink like Pelikan 4001. Still, the wetness of my 88 prevents me from using this pen as an everyday carry pen. (Side note: The weak slip cap clutch ring on the vintage 88 doesn't give me much confidence, unlike the Parker 51 which has a superior retention system) I have to wait 30+ seconds before closing a journal- also, blotter paper just sucks up the ink on the page and leaves only a ghost of color behind. I've also tried bending the nib on my fingernail to reduce flow (works with other standard nibs) but that didn't work

 

 

 

But I digress.

 

Does anyone know how to tame my fire hose Aurora 88 via the flow adjuster screw?

 

Addendum

Paper tested: Environotes Sugarcane paper (it's bombproof. FP ink simply does not feather on this paper) & cheap filler paper

Inks tested: Pilot Blue, Diamine Oxblood, Noodler's Black, Noodler's Antietam, Parker Quink Blue-Black, Waterman Florida Blue, R&K Salix

No leaking from the section, cap, or piston. However, droplets of ink pop out of the pen when shaken/jerked sharply.

Edited by xwingrox
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The nib needs to be set against the feed. If you have never done this, let a pro take care of it. The 88 is a great pen and deserves to be kept in good running order! Which flow adjuster screw are you taliking about, by the way? I restored many vintage 88s and I am not aware of a flow trimmer.

Edited by tryphon

http://s26.postimg.org/fp30mhy6x/signature.jpg

In punta di penna.....

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I think the spiral is there to prevent sudden filling of the collector in case of a rapid jolt to the pen. The problem of excessive ink flow is between the collector and the nib. I think you should reset the feed, as I originally posted and check for air leaks in the piston mechanism. I would send the pen to a pro.

http://s26.postimg.org/fp30mhy6x/signature.jpg

In punta di penna.....

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hi,

 

I second the adjustment of the nib and feed. Mostly the nib though. As I mentioned earlier in the other thread, I don't believe that twisty piece controls flow in the pen. To adjust the flow in the Aurora 88, I typically adjust the nib and the fit of the nib to the feed.

 

Dillon

Edited by Dillo

Stolen: Aurora Optima Demonstrator Red ends Medium nib. Serial number 1216 and Aurora 98 Cartridge/Converter Black bark finish (Archivi Storici) with gold cap. Reward if found. Please contact me if you have seen these pens.

Please send vial orders and other messages to fpninkvials funny-round-mark-thing gmail strange-mark-thing com. My shop is open once again if you need help with your pen.

Will someone with the name of "Jay" who emailed me through the email system provide me an email address? There was no email address provided, so I can't write back.

Dillon

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Hi,

 

I agree with the other posts. I have experimented with those screws, and with the later 88P type thing, and while it may make a difference to gross flow it doesn't help wet writing. I suspect that even closed down it lets through enough ink to flood a badly set nib and feed. Oxonian has been working on one for me after I gave up, and he has had to replace the feed entirely to tame it. I'd still love to know why 88s seem to be so wet-- I mean feeds don't wear out! I wonder if the little tabs that secure the nib loosen with time? Anyway, good luck, and it can be fixed!

 

Cheers,

 

Ralf

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Hi,

 

An issue I have seen that in some pens is that the older nib has been substituted for a newer one or vice versa, and that causes fit problems. My personal pens have quite moderate flow, and they are all using the newer feed paired with the newer nib. I used to have other Aurora 88 pens with the original older nib and feed pairing, and they were all moderate as well. I think it's probably something to check out. The two nibs have slightly different profiles.

 

Dillon

Stolen: Aurora Optima Demonstrator Red ends Medium nib. Serial number 1216 and Aurora 98 Cartridge/Converter Black bark finish (Archivi Storici) with gold cap. Reward if found. Please contact me if you have seen these pens.

Please send vial orders and other messages to fpninkvials funny-round-mark-thing gmail strange-mark-thing com. My shop is open once again if you need help with your pen.

Will someone with the name of "Jay" who emailed me through the email system provide me an email address? There was no email address provided, so I can't write back.

Dillon

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Just as an update, I never quite got the nib and feed set right. The pen still write wonderfully, albeit still to wet for my tastes. I plan on listing it on the classifieds soon.

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