Has anyone tried an ED conversion on a Lamy Vista? Seems like it would work well with some silicone grease as it has a one piece barrel and already has an o-ring at the section.

If this is a good idea, let me know before I pull the trigger and buy 10 from Todd

Wouldn't the inkwindow pose a problem ?

Oh blimey, is that a hole? I haven't had one in my hand, only seen them on the net...

Well it is a hole in a normal Safari. I don't own a vista, but it looks like it's a hole too in this picture here

So that would be troublesome for an eyedropper conversion

Yep, unfortunately it has two windows cut into the barrel, plus some vents on the end so I don't think you can convert it.

Easy to fill the hole with part of a silicone sac, though...

Can someone tell me what an Eyedropper is?

An eyedropper is a pen that is filled with ink simply by filling the barrel with ink, generally by eyedropper or something similar, hence the name.

They can hold significantly more ink than a normal cartridge/converter pen like the Vista.

The problem with using the barrel as an ink reservoir is, of course, that it has to be absolutely watertight... unless you like getting ink stains, that is. The Safari/Al-Star/Vista family has an ink window that is actually a sizeable hole cut in two opposite sides of the pen's barrel, hence the problem that they're having with making a Vista eyedropper.

Other than that, the Vista eyedropper sounds like a really cool idea. I might have to get my hands on one if you guys make it work...

It's a good idea, but I think it might be more practical to get a pen turner to do some custom barrels out of a clear plastic. Otherwise you will end up with some ugly globs of silicone on each side of the barrel.

I'm glad I asked the question before buying a load of them sight unseen. I think I need to look for another cheap clear pen I can make an eyedropper. Don't like the coloured nibs and trim of the preppy but since it's the one that most have success with, looks like I'll have to get some.

Waterman Kultur

My Kulture has two holes in the end of the body.

What looks like an o-ring between the section and the body, isn't. I think it's just a spacer that looks like an o-ring, but it is hard, not soft like an o-ring, and it is not completely round.

The "o-ring" is a metal spacer.

Regards
Hans-Peter

Try a Sheaffer School Pen. You can pick them easily from Fleabay. Clear barrel.

Works wonderfully as an ED.Kultur is also a good option but I personally don't like the ink that is visible in the section.

OK, one final thought on this one. How about this, take a Lamy Vista FP



And a Lamy Vista Rollerball



...and swap the barrels? Anyone have both of these? Any holes in the Rollerball barrel?

Even better, can get a replacement rollerball barrel from LamyUSA.com for $10. And replace the hard black plastic ring between the section and barrel with a suitable rubber o-ring? I guess I better try this myself...