Adjusting Ink Flow For Flexible Nibs

[Allanrps]

I have also tried writing with the nib and feed not very far in the section, I don't recall any improvement. I will try to just plug up the gaps above and below the feed and see if that fixes the problem, then try to devise a plan to make the change concrete. Thanks for the help, I'll post back on any progress. Again, I am sorry for being demeaning in my previous post.

[mhguda]

Good luck, I hope you find a way to solve this. I know it can be frustrating if you don't seem to make any headway with a problem. Let's hope that by plugging those gaps (how?) you will have done a step in the right direction... and I will appreciate it if you post the results of the stopgap (pun intended).

[kharrisma]

Hi Allenrps,

 

Speaking as a troubleshooter/mechanic (not as a fountain pen expert, by any means), if there's an air leak (uncontrolled venting), instead of adding thickness to the assembly by using teflon tape(and possibly cracking the section sleeve as pointed out {and an additional danger is that the teflon reduces friction to such an extent that it is much too easy to overtighten and strip the plastic threads, or crack the section}), I would try silicone grease; not too much, just enough to create a seal between the threads.

 

Also: what ink are you using? If by chance you are using a lubricated ink (an example would be Noodler's American Eel line of inks), these sometimes tend to flow *very* wet compared to other non-lubricated inks. If it's an "unknown" ink, I'd seriously consider cleaning it out and trying a non-lubed ink.

 

You could also, just as a diagnostic experiment, put silicone grease on the feed, again to create a known good seal, and see if there's any appreciable difference in ink flow (the grease alone might serve to reduce flow, but it would be a hit-or-miss thing, and impermanent). If things improve, your issue is most likely the fit between the feed and the section.

 

Have you had a really good look inside the section where the feed fits in? Use a small light source (like an LED, or a bore-light, cheap at any firearms dealer) and a good loupe (anything more then 10x is probably overkill), and see if the bore is smooth and even; being a vintage pen, there's just no telling what prior owners and/or pen repairmen might have done in the past. Same for the area of the feed that bears against the section; any issues on the surface here will contribute to increased flow and/or air leakage.

 

My last thought for the moment: does this high-volume flow happen immediately, picked up cold, or does start OK and then get worse as you continue to use it? Increased temperature from your hot little hand might be heating the reservoir, causing it to pressurize slightly and force ink out.

 

Just some random thoughts from a guy who spent over 27 years troubleshooting malfunctioning machinery, hydraulic systems, software controls, electronic controls and control systems, and too many other things to mention.

[kimsdad]

Place the end of the feed closer to the tip of the nib to increase flow and farther to decrease flow, assuming sac size is correct and the tines are aligned and the feed is properly adapted to the nib. Heating a rubber feed will return it to its proper shape. While it is warm press it to the nib and cool it in place, it should touch.