Getting Started Re-Tipping Nibs...

[79spitfire]

The idea that someone else is obligated to divulge the benefit of years of experience for free, by force, to me, is offensive.

 

 

When did this happen?

It's the 'idea'...

Ve haf wais of makin yu talk!

Talking isn't the problem, it's getting me to shut up!

[docholt]

This young man has decided to do something. He does not think that it will be easy, free or simple. All that he knows is that he really wants to do it. In his vast ignorance of the undertaking is a very important ingrediant, simply that he does not know that he can't do it or shouldn't be able to do it. This is the seat of the energy that will see him through. It is true that "If the want to is big enough, the how to is no problem". I've been lucky enough to see a few young, determined people follow their goals, overcome big obsticles and cash-in to the benefit of all involved.

 

Are there only two well known "tippers" because the market for this service is small? Because it has limited profit? Because of high equipment cost? Or, are there only two because they were the only one's who really, really wanted to do it? I don't know but, I've got a feeling that Tyler Dahl is going to make room for himself in what is a rather small circle.

 

Best Regards to All,

Doc

Edited April 21, 2012 by docholt

[Draless]

Tyler,

 

I've been reading this thread and I had watched a video in the past and it reminds me of what you are going to accomplish.

 

 

this applies to anything (not just working out)

 

Godspeed

 

-Al

[professionaldilettante]

There was an Old video of handmaking nibs on here a few days ago, maybe someone could find it for me? I thought it would be very helpful, especially how they slit the nib.

[hari317]

There was an Old video of handmaking nibs on here a few days ago, maybe someone could find it for me? I thought it would be very helpful, especially how they slit the nib.

http://www.central-estilografica.com/video-plumas.php?lang=esp

 

is it the one?

 

It appears to use resistance welding to attach the tip.

[Pen Nut]

Had a lengthy conversation with John Sorowka, aka Oxonian, about nib re tipping at the Lytham Pen Show last Sunday. He has tried to get this going but it does seem a very complex thing not only to do but also set up. There is also quite a large investment involved. Who once said/sung "the more I find out the less I know" I leave 'stuff' to others. I want my house re decorating I live it to those who can rather than practice on my own property and make a complete hash of it.

 

Good luck with the venture and I sense you will end up doing it in the end

[professionaldilettante]

There was an Old video of handmaking nibs on here a few days ago, maybe someone could find it for me? I thought it would be very helpful, especially how they slit the nib.

http://www.central-estilografica.com/video-plumas.php?lang=esp

 

is it the one?

 

It appears to use resistance welding to attach the tip.

That is the one!!! Thanks!

[michael_s]

But: I remember seeing a TV program from Japan where an aged craftsman demonstrated the process of re-tipping a nib. As I remember (and this may have been some time ago), he placed a iridium pellet on a graphite block, and attached the nib to the other lead of the power source (no idea how much or what) and by touching the nib to the pellet welded them together. Then he recut the slit through the pellet with a micro-saw (hand-held, again if I recall correctly), and then shaped and polished. Of course, Japanese craftsmen with years of experience can do things that a novice can't, which is why they have an apprentice system.

 

 

 

Perhaps this is what you remember seeing? The clip is from the 90's. Welding starts around the 1 minute mark.

 

 

 

 

 

-Mike

Edited August 4, 2012 by michael_s

[koa]

That looks like it! Steel welding block instead of graphite, that must be my creative memory.

[Marlow]

As I watched him offer up that nib to the grinding wheel the first time my instant thought was 'he's gonna ruin the nib like that!!' - but of course I was wrong;

 

Next thought was 'No! This is a video of a Master, he must know what he's doing, surely?!!' - this time I was correct;

 

Then I saw a similarly 'casual-' and rather 'speedy-looking' application of iridium to tip in a deceptively deft-seeming, extremely fast motion...

 

Shortly afterward came the caption "He's been doing this for 45 years!"...

 

I think this video is a perfect endorsement of the sage views, both business-minded and technically aware, that have appeared in this utterly fascinating thread so far.

 

Perhaps it is the japanese context for this video but I am reminded of certain martial arts master's demonstrations that I have witnessed in which a highly skilled, 20-year daily practitioner and instructor of an art was made to look like a clumsy, bumbling oaf with zero skill by a truly accomplished grand master and, despite seeing it with their own eyes, other highly skilled instructors could not explain what they had witnessed in any other terms than 'he's just developed a sensitivity that's on another level'.

 

This japanese gentleman appears to have a sensitivity that is only replicable mechanically by means of the most expensive equipment combined with a great many years experience. He may be performing his tip-soldering with the most basic equipment but it has taken him 45 years to learn that skill. That's half of an exceptionally long lifetime!

 

I was only this morning thinking it would be 'fun' to be able to re-tip nibs, then this thread came along...and now I know: I am not going to be re-tipping nibs! Not in this lifetime anyway! I haven't even serviced my first Vac yet! :roflmho:

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I definitely recommend an apprenticeship if possible to either Greg Minuskin or Mottishaw. I've seen the tipping work of these people, and I have sent work to Greg. (I only regrind, I don't retip nibs). To get the requisite skill to make a beautiful retip like that requires hours of skill and hard work. I have seen nibs tipped before, and I am no stranger to the Heraus machines and materials that are used in commercial settings to tip both steel and gold nibs. I have also seen the tools used to slit those nibs. This is some tough work. If you really want to do it, be willing to be able to sacrifice time, lots and lots of nibs, many thousand dollars on equipment, and a lot of patience.

 

The very first step should be to get hold of either Minuskin or Mottishaw. They have huge amounts of experience and "secrets" that they can impart to you. You will not need to reinvent the wheel searching for tips and ideas that they can give you off hand. Not only will this give you a huge stepping stone to get moving, it will also save you a lot of time and energy.

 

Never settle for less than perfect. Your product needs to look professional, clean, and well done. I do my best to strive for these things when I repair and regrind nibs. You grind and shape them perfectly, and then polish to a mirror finish. I am not afraid to put my work under a microscope with a camera attached. You should never be afraid to do this, it needs to be perfect. I'd willingly put my work under a macro lens and put pictures up for all to see. It must to be that good.

 

You say that you strive to be the next generation. I urge you to collect as much information from the greats of today so that that information is not lost. This is why apprenticeship may be a good idea. Learn from them, then bring in your ideas later when you are more established. It looks like you may have the means to do this, and if you really want to be the next generation, start with those who have led in the field.

 

Personally, although I have not been under apprenticeship of any of these fine people (I must admit). I spent a lot of time examining their work and reading and listening to their ideas. I examined and scrutinized many examples of work of leading pen repair people as well as people who spent their whole life working on nibs in addition to professionals in the commercial pen manufacturing to learn what they believed would be an optimal way to profile and grind nibs to impart specific characteristics. I certainly look up to these people as people who have devoted a lot of time and energy into this field and certainly know a great deal about this work. Right now, I think it would take at least a few years of having someone working alongside me for me to impart all the knowledge that I have learned from these people as well as all the information that I have discovered on my own. I looked at the way these people finished their work, how they profiled their nibs, how they adjusted various characteristics, then from there did a lot of my own research, tapping into many sources and examining commercially done nibs. I also visited a facility that made nibs among other things. I also experimented with all sorts of nib grinds. To this day, I'm still proud of some of my specialty nib grinds that I had developed myself. It took a lot of time, research, and experimentation, but mostly research to find out how I could optimize my designs to perform the way I believed that they should.

 

Learn from my experience (and mistakes), getting apprenticeship is certainly the first place I would look for this nib retipping. It's not a bad thing, and can save you a lot of time and energy while keeping the legacy of these masters alive in the future. You must be willing to sit back, let go, and sink a lot of time, get embarrassed (at least occasionally), get yelled at (sometimes), make mistakes, and learn from them. Pen repair and certainly nib repair and modifications is not a simple thing. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Take your time, and it will pay off.

 

Dillon

[lcoldfield]

I have just received back a Conway 20 nib from Álvaro Romillo of Romillo pens in Madrid. Beautiful job and done in 2 weeks at a really good price. Mottishaw and Minuskin are not the only people who know how to do a first class job.

Laurence Oldfield

[Dillo]

I have just received back a Conway 20 nib from Álvaro Romillo of Romillo pens in Madrid. Beautiful job and done in 2 weeks at a really good price. Mottishaw and Minuskin are not the only people who know how to do a first class job.

Laurence Oldfield

 

Very true, there are a lot of others who do first rate work. Did he retip it for you? Minuskin and Mottishaw are in the states, and for an American, they may be easier to go to for advice for one who is in America.

 

Dillon

[Flounder]

That's a great clip!

[ceck]

all machineries and moulds from "Globus la casa del pennino" (Globus the house of nib of Mario Cecchini) in Bologna Italy, are now for sale.

All is from '50/60ies years.

Best offers required.

Some pic availables

[hari317]

all machineries and moulds from "Globus la casa del pennino" (Globus the house of nib of Mario Cecchini) in Bologna Italy, are now for sale.

All is from '50/60ies years.

Best offers required.

Some pic availables

 

some well heeled enthusiasts should jump at this chance.

[r100ridr]

This is a fascinating video of a true master at work repairing a nib at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxwX7KRitmw.

[ceck]

web master can help me for the sale, cause I'm not very furbish with forums. Thanks, F

[Geheim]

Thank you for a great read, the fact that I could even reply blows my mind. We were in for an awesome read. I mean retipping to Generic Flavoured soda, to IP, and back to retipping, I have had two nibs retipped one was 80 and the other last year was 100. I paid, I got, it was all good. If you have the will, the time, the money, and the skill, and can do a job as CFP, then your on your way. I mean. Why would anyone want that job. Seems to me if you already weld and wanted to specialise. I weld but not nibs. Thank you for the rant, the read again was one of my top ten on this site. Great site, and great too be back. I wouldnt close this thread as it will be great to see it again next year.

[The-Thinker]

After approximately 10 years from the start of this post I wonder what happened to the people who commented in it ? Did the fine gentleman ever end up retipping , what an amazing post!