Praise For The Ultrasonic

[Freshink]

Being new to this and all, sometimes baby steps are really big deals.

 

I got an ultrasonic, mainly to clean nibs.

 

Over the past week, I've had two nibs that would not unscrew from the section.

 

A treatment in the sonic, and they came out like velvet.

 

I can only imagine that down around the collar, there must have been some solidified ink that was really holding them in place.

 

Anyway, the long and short of this is...if this quirky little hobby is growing on you, and you don't have a sonic yet, get one...life will be easier.

[Hobiwan]

Excellent! Your assimilation is proceeding within normal established parameters.

[lahlahlaw]

I've shied away from using a US. Some materials don't take well at all to prolonged exposure to water, like hard rubber (especially Red Ripple), casein etc.

About the only common pen cleaning stuff that I've managed to discolor an Estie section with is diluted ammonia.

[ac12]

My USC is invaluable for cleaning pens, especially old eBay pens that have dried ink from x number of decades.

And as the OP found, it is great for blasting out the old dry ink that is cementing the nib assembly in the section.

[OcalaFlGuy]

I'll be the first to say an USC is invaluable.

 

However, for those without one, soaking the section/nib overnight in Ammonia water should also loosen them up.

 

Keep the water room temp for HR sections.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[ac12]

And it is fun to watch the ink come boiling out of the nib.

OK I'm easily amused.

[Medsen Fey]

You can have my ultrasonic when you pry it from my cold, Bay-State-Blue fingers!

[kidde]

Just use caution with gold plated nibs and parts. I've removed the gold from two Osmiroid stubs.

When used to loosen parts and remove ink they are amazing. Just verify your solution is safe for the materials you put in it.

I've had mine awhile from another hobby. Mine holds a gallon of cleaner and will heat up to 190°. I never use the heat for pens and have never gotten close to filling it up with pens.

 

Paul

[ac12]

Yup I have completely deplated 1 nib and partially depated 2 other.

So I know first hand that an USC can deplate a gold plated nib.

Having said that, I've seen a nib where the gold plating was flaking off, so it would not take much to deplate that nib.

 

I think it is time to upgrade to a newer/larger USC.

Mine is a small unit and won't fit some of my model train parts.

Edited September 21, 2014 by ac12

[OcalaFlGuy]

Gold plated parts.

 

It's likely Not the sonicator that deplated them.

 

It's what the parts were Sitting On Inside the sonicator. Many of the little plastic baskets are like cheese graters. And you're moving the thin plating across that cheese grater at tens of thousands of times A Second.

 

THAT'S what takes the plating off.

 

Attach the plated parts to something inside the cleaner that immobilizes the part or just suspend the part in the solution so that all that contacts it is solution.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[ac12]

Bruce, my pens were suspended by me holding them, so the nibs were not touching anything but the water.

What I think it is, is poor bonding of the plating.

Could be a simple as poor cleaning of the base metal. I've seen this with soldering. If the base metal is not properly cleaned, the solder may not bond.

[kidde]

I

What I think it is, is poor bonding of the plating.

 

Very likely. I also worry about some of those home made cleaners. I placed a US dime in a cup with 2oz of water and 2oz of vinegar. In less than an hour the plating was removed from the dime, completely.

 

Paul