Is This Normal?

[Veltri]

This accumulation of ink around the top of the section seems to appear out of nowhere on several Esties. I wipe it off and dry the inside of the cap, but it just comes back without having moved the pen around. Lines of ink transfer to my finger when I write if I get near the top of the section. Is this normal?

 

 

[gweimer1]

I've had that happen from time to time, as well. I'm not sure why, though.

[linearM]

See if the nib unit is turned in tight enough.

[Hobiwan]

I'd say that it could be leakage at the nib threads, especially if the nib has been replaced, or is an older one that's been removed/replaced during cleaning.

 

If you're in a region where the barometric pressure changes on a routine basis, that could also be a cause. I encountered it in South Florida, during late summer and fall, when various storms, squalls and the occasional hurricane would blow through/past the area.

[Veltri]

That could be it linearM and Hobiwan, I've been swapping out nibs and cleaning newly acquired pens by taking off the nib as they clean faster like that.

 

I'll try tightening it better and see if that works. Otherwise Hobiwan, you think the threads may be compromised?

Edited October 8, 2014 by Veltri

[Hobiwan]

That could be it linearM and Hobiwan, I've been swapping out nibs and cleaning newly acquired pens by taking off the nib as they clean faster like that.

 

I'll try tightening it better and see if that works. Otherwise Hobiwan, you think the threads may be compromised?

 

Could be. The original intent in manufacturing was (I'm speculating) a single swap-out of an old beat-up nib for a new one, to be used "forever" or until it again required another single change. I don't think they were made with the expectation that rabid Esty fans would be changing them out more than once, just to experience different nibs, or to refurbish and re-use an old nib after years of hibernation ...

 

So, a little bit of something in the threads, like a mild silicon sealer or, as I used years ago, Vaseline petroleum jelly, might do the trick. I used it for my current writer, and it hasn't had any problems in two years.

[Veltri]

Yes, great idea, I think I'll try that vaseline trick on my next eyedropper.

[MKeith]

I would try a very small amount (only enough to seal a thread or two) of pure silicon on the threads. Vaseline is petroleum based. and does not play well with rubber, latex or some plastics. It also wll run due to temperature much more readily gravitating to parts that are best left untouched.There is also the possibility of the leak coming from around the feed itself and tightening it will not help. Caution should also be used when tightening as these can be over tightened which is also not good.

Edited October 8, 2014 by MKeith

[gweimer1]

Good ideas that I'll keep in mind. I also wonder if some of the ink shows up from the cap when the pen is seated.

[OcalaFlGuy]

I would just tighten the nib.

 

Remember we are talking threads in Ebonite and plastic, not steel. Those threads will develop some slop in them over decades of use.

 

I myself would not use Silicone or Vaseline that close to an ink supply. IF I had to use Something, I'd use section sealant or maybe bees wax.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[gweimer1]

If used carefully, would a thin layer of teflon tape be an option?

[Hobiwan]

If used carefully, would a thin layer of teflon tape be an option?

 

I've thought of that occasionally. Don't see why it wouldn't work, if you're good enough to cut a thin strip just enough to cover the threads with no overlap (I'm not). I think you'd have to run the wrap counter-clockwise as you're looking at the front of the point, so the lip doesn't catch and ball up when you screw it back in. I haven't heard of anyone using this remedy, so if you do it, let us know how/if it works out, eh?

[OcalaFlGuy]

Threads cut into the teflon tape.

 

It is conceivable that slivers of the tape could slough off and get into the ink supply.

 

I don't like to get anything near an ink supply except maybe ink or air.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[Brian Anderson]

Could also be due to ink that has seeped under the inner cap. You can try soaking the cap in an ultrasonic to see if any ink comes out, then let it dry for a solid day. You could pull the cap, but that's more work than is probably necessary.

[Veltri]

Thanks all! Problem solved!

 

I think it was a combination of loose nib and ink in/under the cap.

 

I tightened the nib on two pens a couple of mm more without forcing it.

Then I washed out the cap several times (with mineral water - blasphemy?) and dried it with tissue. There was A LOT of ink that came out. I'm guessing the ink got into the cap mostly when I originally transported the pens to work.

This morning I had two clean and dry pens!

[pajaro]

I used teflon tape once to make a Parker 51 demi section screw into a full sized Parker 51 barrel. It worked short term, but unscrewing the section to fill the pen would make the tape unravel from the section, and the job would have to be redone. I would predict a similar result if you put teflon tape on the nib unit threads, if you didn't just leave it alone. You might also crack the section because of pressure from the extra thickness. You would not want to take that chance, as hard as these sections are to find.

[Veltri]

Could also be due to ink that has seeped under the inner cap. You can try soaking the cap in an ultrasonic to see if any ink comes out, then let it dry for a solid day. You could pull the cap, but that's more work than is probably necessary.

 

 

I think you hit the nail on the head with this explanation.

 

I'm cleaning a cap now without bothering tightening the nib because the leaking is a completely different colour than what's in the pen.

I don't have or know what an ultrasonic is, but the ink keeps appearing no matter how many times I flush the cap with water.

Looks like some major surgery in in order...

[gweimer1]

I also resolved my issue. I think mine was a loose nib and also one that was dumping ink in the cap (the 3556 nib in that nurse's pen was too big, I suspect). I tried the teflon tape, and while it worked in theory (I got it on nice and clean), it didn't fix my problem. The 3556 felt pretty worn and wobbled in the section. I put a 9555 in it, and it's working great. No blue ink all over that yellow pen anymore.

 

More lessons learned.

[Freshink]

 

 

I think you hit the nail on the head with this explanation.

 

I'm cleaning a cap now without bothering tightening the nib because the leaking is a completely different colour than what's in the pen.

I don't have or know what an ultrasonic is, but the ink keeps appearing no matter how many times I flush the cap with water.

Looks like some major surgery in in order...

An ultrasonic sends ultrasonic waves through the water. Generally speaking, it blasts ink and dirt out of cracks and crevices that are even too small for the eye to see. My wife got me this one: http://connoisseurs.com/jewelry_care/lasonic_baths_twin_tank.php

[gweimer1]

I got one at a resale shop for $3. It's plastic lined, probably not high quality, but it does what it needs to do reasonably well. Not great, but functional.