Hey all,
I'm not that new to fountain pens, but I am new at Piston Fillers. I have an otherwise flawless Reform 1745 from Lexaf, with a wonderfully smooth reground nib that I enjoy greatly. It's ink capacity is wonderful and its nib is great and slightly flexible. However, it has been leaking into the cap. I have it inked with Naples Blue (PR)- generally well behaved but does have quite a flow. Is this an ink issue, or a pen issue? If it is an ink issue, what behaves best in this kind of a piston fill...maybe a slightly drier ink?
Full Version: Pen Problem or Ink Problem?
Are you storing the pen nib up?
Yup... It doesn't ride in a pen case, but it is in the pen loop of my briefcase at the moment.
The reform has a screw-in type nib like Pelikan. Maybe you should tighten it a bit (carefully).
I did that first thing- but the ink is still leaking into the cap!
PM sent with a few potential solutions.
My Lexaf-special Reform 1745 flowed very well, a bit too well actually, and yeah, the PR DC Supershow Blue in it did leak into the cap too. 
Remove the screw-in nib assembly, took a very good look with a 10X loupe, and lo and behold... the sleeve that held the nib and feed had a crack in it - probably as a result of the nib/feed being pushed into it a wee bit too hard
I then visited the nib expert in downtown KL, and managed to procure a replacement sleeve from him. Apparently this problem is quite common among Reform pens - he should know, as his shop too carried Reform pens. I also took the opportunity to adjust the flow to make it less of a fire hose
.
You might want to consider this as a possible reason for your problem.
Shahrin
Remove the screw-in nib assembly, took a very good look with a 10X loupe, and lo and behold... the sleeve that held the nib and feed had a crack in it - probably as a result of the nib/feed being pushed into it a wee bit too hard
I then visited the nib expert in downtown KL, and managed to procure a replacement sleeve from him. Apparently this problem is quite common among Reform pens - he should know, as his shop too carried Reform pens. I also took the opportunity to adjust the flow to make it less of a fire hose
.You might want to consider this as a possible reason for your problem.
Shahrin
As there are a number of these pens being offered, I have one, would you be willing to share your solutions?
QUOTE(JJBlanche @ Jun 21 2008, 12:18 AM) [snapback]646473[/snapback]
PM sent with a few potential solutions.
This is the copy of the PM I sent, with some names edited out:
QUOTE
Xena,
I've become quite adept at tuning Reforms, and in my experience the leaking nib can be the result of an over-zealous attempt to increase flow. Through research, I've deduced that many people pull the nib face (the metal part) out from the ebonite feed/housing so as to increase flow. There are positives and negatives to this approach, and I'm not questioning people's methods, but when the metal part of the nib is pulled out even a little too far (1/10th of a mm or less), it will result in the leak problems you are having.
I don't know if there is a direct fix for this (perhaps attempting to push the nib back into the feed by a minute amount) but I'd be happy to send you out a new nib for your Reform. I can tune it if you'd like, or leave it stock.
I don't charge for things of this nature, as I like helping members out, but perhaps you'd consider trading some ink samples for the nib? I'm on a tireless pursuit for my "grail" ink.
Either way, I'm happy to help in whatever way I can.
Regards,
JJ
I've become quite adept at tuning Reforms, and in my experience the leaking nib can be the result of an over-zealous attempt to increase flow. Through research, I've deduced that many people pull the nib face (the metal part) out from the ebonite feed/housing so as to increase flow. There are positives and negatives to this approach, and I'm not questioning people's methods, but when the metal part of the nib is pulled out even a little too far (1/10th of a mm or less), it will result in the leak problems you are having.
I don't know if there is a direct fix for this (perhaps attempting to push the nib back into the feed by a minute amount) but I'd be happy to send you out a new nib for your Reform. I can tune it if you'd like, or leave it stock.
I don't charge for things of this nature, as I like helping members out, but perhaps you'd consider trading some ink samples for the nib? I'm on a tireless pursuit for my "grail" ink.
Either way, I'm happy to help in whatever way I can.
Regards,
JJ
I just ordered this pen....Great, another dud!!! That Lex ought to stand behind it. Teaches me a lesson for buying on this site. They'd NEVER get away with that on eBay.
JJ . . . Thanks, great information. That's what makes this place so invaluable.
QUOTE(JJBlanche @ Jun 21 2008, 04:53 PM) [snapback]647075[/snapback]
This is the copy of the PM I sent, with some names edited out:
QUOTE
Xena,
I've become quite adept at tuning Reforms, and in my experience the leaking nib can be the result of an over-zealous attempt to increase flow. Through research, I've deduced that many people pull the nib face (the metal part) out from the ebonite feed/housing so as to increase flow. There are positives and negatives to this approach, and I'm not questioning people's methods, but when the metal part of the nib is pulled out even a little too far (1/10th of a mm or less), it will result in the leak problems you are having.
I don't know if there is a direct fix for this (perhaps attempting to push the nib back into the feed by a minute amount) but I'd be happy to send you out a new nib for your Reform. I can tune it if you'd like, or leave it stock.
I don't charge for things of this nature, as I like helping members out, but perhaps you'd consider trading some ink samples for the nib? I'm on a tireless pursuit for my "grail" ink.
Either way, I'm happy to help in whatever way I can.
Regards,
JJ
I've become quite adept at tuning Reforms, and in my experience the leaking nib can be the result of an over-zealous attempt to increase flow. Through research, I've deduced that many people pull the nib face (the metal part) out from the ebonite feed/housing so as to increase flow. There are positives and negatives to this approach, and I'm not questioning people's methods, but when the metal part of the nib is pulled out even a little too far (1/10th of a mm or less), it will result in the leak problems you are having.
I don't know if there is a direct fix for this (perhaps attempting to push the nib back into the feed by a minute amount) but I'd be happy to send you out a new nib for your Reform. I can tune it if you'd like, or leave it stock.
I don't charge for things of this nature, as I like helping members out, but perhaps you'd consider trading some ink samples for the nib? I'm on a tireless pursuit for my "grail" ink.
Either way, I'm happy to help in whatever way I can.
Regards,
JJ
QUOTE(dsatco @ Jun 21 2008, 10:21 PM) [snapback]647106[/snapback]
I just ordered this pen....Great, another dud!!! That Lex ought to stand behind it. Teaches me a lesson for buying on this site. They'd NEVER get away with that on eBay.
You are a bit premature if you haven't got it yet & you are already calling it a dud before it arrives
Don't prejudge & make your own mind up ( You can apologise to Lex later if needs be)
As far as ink goes I find they don't like Pelikan Blue Black much but they get along better with Quink so it could also be in part an ink issue. Generally speaking they need a good flushing & writing with a couple of tankfuls & they are not as freeflowing wet writers like say Lamy or Pelikan. On the other hand you've spent about a fifth or less of the cost of an M200.
Patience is a virtue
QUOTE
They'd NEVER get away with that on eBay.
Seriously though, this problem doesn't necessarily make the pen a dud. Even at that, one dud doesn't mean they all are. I bought 2 from Lex. I've only tried one so far, but I like it so much that I'll soon be getting another 5 from JJ.
Ok, guys, problem fixed. I still don't know if it was the ink or the pen, but i pushed the nib against the feed lightly, and filled it with PR Chocolat, and for about a day and a half, it has been fine- knock on wood. There is some slightly nib creep, but no leaks. Thanks JJBlanche for the help, and all others for their suggestions.
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