Cleaning/disassembling A Noodler's Flex Pen

[GouletPens]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjFrczNSRE8

 

There are a lot of Noodler's Flex Pens floating around out there, and I thought a video on how to completely disassemble and clean them would be helpful to a lot of you out there. This is a great pen for experimentation because it comes apart completely with just the use of a Q-tip!

 

I spend some time towards the end of the video on adjusting the nib and feed to suit your writing style and the ink you use, but I plan on covering that more thoroughly in another video. The main point I want to get across in this video is that you shouldn't be afraid to take this pen apart and learn it inside out. The more familiar you are with your pen, the better you'll be able to adjust it for yourself and the more enjoyment you'll get out of it! The silicone grease I use in the video is 100% clear GREASE, don't use silicone CAULK, that's not going to end well for you.

[GouletPens]

could you do this with a Pelikan? (the q tip thing)

 

I doubt it. The Q-tip trick, as far as I know, is unique to the Noodler's Piston Fill pen. I'm not saying it couldn't be done on any other pen, I'm just not aware of any other pen that allows you to do it like this.

[fiberdrunk]

Wow, thanks so much for this video! I had no idea how to clean one of these pens! I've been watching your other videos, and what a tremendous resource they are. Thank you so much.

[ThirdeYe]

Thanks Brian! Great video. I've noticed the ink that remains even after cleaning it out. Usually what I do to clean the area around the piston seal that stays inky is to just fill the pen with water and let it sit nib-up overnight, and it will get that ink off of the piston seal.

[GouletPens]

Thanks Brian! Great video. I've noticed the ink that remains even after cleaning it out. Usually what I do to clean the area around the piston seal that stays inky is to just fill the pen with water and let it sit nib-up overnight, and it will get that ink off of the piston seal.

 

That works too! Keep in mind, this is such a tiny amount of ink that is left in the piston seal, I seriously doubt it would affect the next color you put in there. But now you know how to thoroughly clean it out if you wish

[GouletPens]

Wow, thanks so much for this video! I had no idea how to clean one of these pens! I've been watching your other videos, and what a tremendous resource they are. Thank you so much.

 

Thank you for the compliments! I recognize your avatar, are you on ravelry by any chance?

[bitterwonder]

What I am liking so much about these Noodler's pens is their almost form follows function design. They are practical, fun and a lovely drawing/writing experience (I like mine so much I am writing with them at school!) Pens are working tools, and these fit that. Every artist who has tried mine has fallen in love.

[watch_art]

the wality piston filler comes apart the same way, and i THINK the lamy 2000 as well. you just unscrew that knob and pull gently and keep unscrewing. easy as pie.

[GouletPens]

the wality piston filler comes apart the same way, and i THINK the lamy 2000 as well. you just unscrew that knob and pull gently and keep unscrewing. easy as pie.

 

Very cool! This is a very simple pen design. I know Noodler's developed this pen to reflect a design of some vintage pens, so there are likely other pens that disassemble the same way.

[comfortableshoes]

I've been messing around with the christmas pen all day, putting it through it's paces with sketching and attempting to do some writting. It's hard to get used to BUT it's really cool. They remind me of the old school crow quill dip pens I used in HS art class.

 

Does the December 25th pen disassemble in the same way?

 

Here's a terrible pic of some writing i did. I'll have a sketching review up on my blog next week.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leslieherger/5393984527/

[watch_art]

yes, same way...

good sample! keep practicing. i know mine could always use improvement.

 

writing with one 't'.

[fwyun]

could you do this with a Pelikan? (the q tip thing)

 

I doubt it. The Q-tip trick, as far as I know, is unique to the Noodler's Piston Fill pen. I'm not saying it couldn't be done on any other pen, I'm just not aware of any other pen that allows you to do it like this.

 

 

Anyone know how to take apart a Pelikan? I have a M200 and would like to take apart the piston to clean it out.

[watch_art]

don't take apart an M200 unless it's the only resort. to clean it? not worth it. when putting it back together there might not be enough friction to hold things in place properly. the piston mech in the m200 is a friction fit push in piece, and kinda fragile from what i've read.

[fwyun]

don't take apart an M200 unless it's the only resort. to clean it? not worth it. when putting it back together there might not be enough friction to hold things in place properly. the piston mech in the m200 is a friction fit push in piece, and kinda fragile from what i've read.

 

Ah! Good to know *before* I tried to take it apart

 

I was hoping it was as easy to take apart as the Noodler's. I guess I'll just leave the bit of ink behind the piston . . .

[kcunvong]

Wow, thanks Brian. Off to adjust my nib...

[fiberdrunk]

Wow, thanks so much for this video! I had no idea how to clean one of these pens! I've been watching your other videos, and what a tremendous resource they are. Thank you so much.

 

Thank you for the compliments! I recognize your avatar, are you on ravelry by any chance?

 

Why yes, I am! Are you over there too?

[Ulsterman]

Nice job, Brian.

 

Also watched Nathan's (Noodler's)youtube on his Ivory Darkness Flex Resin, and while I already have a demonstrator flex resin from you, I couldn't resist ordering one of these from you too, especially after watching your q-tip trick.

 

Keep up the good work.

Edited January 29, 2011 by Ulsterman

[comfortableshoes]

yes, same way...

good sample! keep practicing. i know mine could always use improvement.

 

writing with one 't'.

 

When practicing I'm not thinking about my spelling.... Who am I kidding? I don't spell well.

[watch_art]

i don't spell well often, either. that's what scribbles are for!

[GouletPens]

Wow, thanks so much for this video! I had no idea how to clean one of these pens! I've been watching your other videos, and what a tremendous resource they are. Thank you so much.

 

Thank you for the compliments! I recognize your avatar, are you on ravelry by any chance?

 

Why yes, I am! Are you over there too?

 

I am, but only as a lurker for right now. I don't knit or anything (sorry!), but I've been told by several of my fans that there's a group over there who are into pens, so I had to go check it out. Maybe I'll go and show my face over there sometime!