Hi folks

Not sure if I should post this here but here goes....

I live in Dublin in Ireland and really, really want to make one of my sheaffer school pens in to an eyedropper. (Don't ask why I can't explain it !)

I have read several threads, decided to bite the bullet and just did it with 2 of my sheaffer school pens but without the silicon grease which I can't find. I searched this place and tried all the place suggested with no luck and this morning both pens 'threw up' on me .....

(By the way some granulated sugar and some liquid soap removes most of the black and the turquoise ink.....I was in the office and had to improvise ...)

So does anybody out there have any ideas where I can get some in Dublin? I know that I could order it online but I really would like to get my hands on it sooner than that.

Many Thanks

HK

Any hardware store selling bathroom equipement and tools should have the stuff.

It is used typically for greasing tap fittings on the inside, where a petroleum based grease might affect the rubber seals.

Just make sure you bay pure 100% silicon grease, it should say so on the tube. Don't buy a spray can, because those contain a propellant that is likely petroleum based, and hence could damage your pen.

HTH, warm regards, Wim

edit: spelling

Many thanks will try that !

Regards

HK

(I knew somebody here could help !!)

You could probably use disc brake lubricant, the stuff that's used on the pins and rubber boots. It comes in a little tube. If it comes in a large container, it's not the right stuff. Get it at an auto parts store. (I don't know if they're common in Dublin. The U.S. is littered with them.)

Another option is dive shops (it's used in the plumbing on SCUBA tanks). Also industrial gas supply places (welding and medical gas supplies). A sure-fire source is a place that sells equipment and parts for repairing industrial food processing machines where you will find big tubes of food-grade 100% silicone grease but it's really expensive. Plus you only need a microscopic amount on a pen. Any tiny container you buy will probably last the rest of your life.

If you have a friend who is in those businesses above they might give you a fingerful of it. Store it in a film canister and you're set for life.

Absolutely, we wouldn't go through a whole 16 oz tube in a year in the research lab. For the amount you need, someone could smear a pea sized amount in a ziplock bag and mail it to you, you'd never use it all.

Oh, and another thing. You don't need to apply more grease when you refill. Once the threads are wetted with the stuff, you're pretty much done. I have never yet needed to regrease. Just unscrew, dump in more ink and screw it back on.

Try checking the plumbing section of some home improvement stores, or even a plumbing supply store. They'd almost certainly have some.

For the sake of any others who might be looking for Silicon Grease in Ireland - I found it in the Scuba gear section of the Great Outdoors off Grafton Street ! (no affiliation to the shop but they were very helpful !)

Regards
Hmabells

Good on you, mate. You got the right stuff: it must be 100% pure silicone grease. Garden variety silicone grease often contains petroleum ingredients and cause damage to pen parts. See David Nishimura's site:
http://www.vintagepens.com/filling_instruc...r-fillers.shtml