Twsbi Update 2011/08/05

[ExcaliburZ]

540 has modified piston mechanism and holds more ink.

 

I THINK it will have Bock instead of schmidt nib. I THINK the cap will go on easier. THere's been so much I don't remember all the details.

 

I LOVE that Micarta though. If you don't like c/c - you could make it an eyedropper, too. IT'S SO AWESOME!!

 

 

From Speedy on the Twsbi.com forum "Vac 700 and Diamond mini will use Bock nibs from the beginning Diamond 540: B and Italic 1.1 / 1.4 will use Bock nibs, M,F,EF will have Schmidt nibs until exhaust them then move to Bock nibs" and "we take care all the tight cap thread issue, parts cracking issue, seal leaking issue, and ink capacity will increase about 30% more

it is the same nib as 530, but will add italic 1.1 & 1.4mm"

[speedy]

Is there any word of the 550? I seem to recall there being plans to make a 530/540-like pen but with more aluminium.

 

haha! we almost forgot the 550.

yes, after testing the first batch of aluminum was not strong enough to withstand the screw mechanism action. so we had modified the dimensions on mechanism to make it easier for interacting with each other, then heat treated the parts. the mechanism is running smooth now, with the help of some grease.

the pure aluminum grip is too slippery, we need to put the coating. this will be tested next week, if everything ok, then 550 will be ready for production.

[ExcaliburZ]

Is there any word of the 550? I seem to recall there being plans to make a 530/540-like pen but with more aluminium.

 

haha! we almost forgot the 550.

yes, after testing the first batch of aluminum was not strong enough to withstand the screw mechanism action. so we had modified the dimensions on mechanism to make it easier for interacting with each other, then heat treated the parts. the mechanism is running smooth now, with the help of some grease.

the pure aluminum grip is too slippery, we need to put the coating. this will be tested next week, if everything ok, then 550 will be ready for production.

Wow, how many engineers and chemists do you employ? They are busy people.

[Qstick333]

Most likely a silly rookie question - but - is there a convertor of sorts that allows the use of cartridges with a TWSBI or is it ink only? Either way, I am hoping to catch the first batch...

[ExcaliburZ]

The Twsbi 540 is a piston filler so no cartridge or converter, so yes ink only.

[uzkntuocmw]

Any word on colours? I've got three of the six 530 colours, was going to get the other three in 540 if the choice is the same.

[jpdyson]

Really dig that Micarta mock-up, and agree that making it a bit longer is good. Maybe it will be my second TWSBI (the 540 my first).

[ExcaliburZ]

Any word on colours? I've got three of the six 530 colours, was going to get the other three in 540 if the choice is the same.

 

Clear first and colors later.

[uzkntuocmw]

Any word on colours? I've got three of the six 530 colours, was going to get the other three in 540 if the choice is the same.

 

Clear first and colors later.

Sorry, should've clarified: other than the special limited edition clear plus blue plus red, are the 540 colours going to be the same six that the 530 had?

 

If not, I need to start hunting around for the three 530 colours I don't have...

[ExcaliburZ]

Yes there will be colors later, most likely the same as the 530 run.

[foxtail1]

Any word on colours? I've got three of the six 530 colours, was going to get the other three in 540 if the choice is the same.

 

Clear first and colors later.

Sorry, should've clarified: other than the special limited edition clear plus blue plus red, are the 540 colours going to be the same six that the 530 had?

 

If not, I need to start hunting around for the three 530 colours I don't have...

 

I missed the blue 530, darn it! I didn't realize that there were a limited number of the 530s, so I didn't buy immediately. I got the others, but the blue was sold out by the time I realized my mistake.

[speedy]

we will pick 3 to 4 favorite colors from old 530 colors to represent them in 540

[rickboone]

The Micarta is not floating my boat, but that means there's another one available for someone else. Isn't it great that we don't all like the same thing? That would be soooo boring (and leave us with little to talk about).

 

 

No, I find it rather unattractive myself. Someone can have mine. Now, the 700 that's on the website, that's very pretty.

[Pensible]

The Micarta isn't "doing it" for me either. For a while there I was even wondering if I was the only one that thought it wasn't attractive.

[MadAmos]

I must get a micarta TWSBI! I tried to use a similar material (Ryertex) with Brian @ Edison but he was concerned that the fabric will stain when it is in contact with ink like when filling (Micarta has layers of cloth in a resin). It was also not easy to thread as there was considerable fraying as the linen layers were cut.

The material has a bit of a special meaning to me as we use it at work and a pen created from it would be reminder of the people I have worked with.

 

I really hope that I can get one even if it stains.

[speedy]

I did add more pictures of Micarta on page1

[79spitfire]

I like the look of the Micarta, but I'm afraid of staining as well. Older cars that used similar materials in their electrical parts could pick up finger prints and such from normal use.

[Nonsensical]

Hi Speedy, just to clarify, will the first batch of 540s have the old Schmidt nibs, or the new Bock nibs? Thanks.

[ExcaliburZ]

I like the look of the Micarta, but I'm afraid of staining as well. Older cars that used similar materials in their electrical parts could pick up finger prints and such from normal use.

I would think that would be the fun of the pen, the longer you own it the person it becomes. Like leather products.

[iltoda]

Hellp Speedy,

 

Micarta looks terrific!!!

 

Nib dimensions will be the 530/540 one or the VAC 700 one?

 

Marco