Pelikan M800 Feed Issue (Possible)

[onewater7]

Hi All,

 

Here is hoping I can find some assistance.

 

I have a two month old M800 that works beautifully, for the most part.

 

Catch 22:

 

The ink will flow very well and writes so utterly smoothly until the ink held within the capillaries run out. When the fins closest to the tip/ball run dry, my pen will suddenly stop writing altogether.

 

The 'band-aid' solution has been to release the piston slightly to push some ink back into the capillaries. This will enable the pen to write supremely until the next pit stop.

 

On a side note, I believe that this piston maneuver is necessary to make the most of the Visconti Opera Crystal's double ink reservoir. But it just seems ridiculous for me to have to do this for a stock standard M800.

 

I am guessing this is not normal, and am hoping to seek some advice as to what is wrong and would it be worth it to give it back to Pelikan for a service.

 

Thank you kindly.

Edited June 20, 2013 by onewater7

[Mags]

I don't believe this is normal. Flush the pen with water and a drop of dish soap. Soak nib and feed, then before screwing the feed in lube the inside of the barrel. As for ink test pen with a known free flowing ink. I would use either an Eel ink from noodlers or something like Omas or Diamine. If it does not work perfectly it is time to send the pen for service.

[RMN]

Indeed this should not happen. I know things like this happen with converters, which can be explained technically.

 

But on a new pistonfiller this should not be the case.

 

However it happens quite often, due to grease/debris from production.

 

Mags' ( Î Î ) suggestion is a good one. If that does not work you could try a weak ammonia solution. (some suggest 10%, but I would start weaker) or s spin in an ultrasonic cleaner. However, on a new pen you should not have to take drastic measurements. You are well inside warranty.

 

 

For a well behaved ink I would take the worldwide available Waterman inks. Blue, black or blue-black are good inks. Normally these are my "primer inks". If a pen behaves well on these you can start on more outlandish inks.

 

Good luck

 

 

D.ick

[onewater7]

Hi Mags and Dick,

 

Thanks for your helpful hints.

 

I have a few follow up questions.

 

1. Should I soak the nib and feed in a soap/water solution as well?

 

2. Could you elaborate on how to lube up the barrel? What type of lube would you suggest, and is this the part of the barrel to which the nib and feed screw into?

 

thank you once again.

[RMN]

You can screw out the nib/feed unit, This will make flushing the inside easier. And you can put the assembly in a glass to soak but not too long. For a new pen 15 minutes should be enough. In the end you will have to force water THROUGH the assembly to get al residue out.

 

You would have to ask Mags about the lubing, I never do that sofar.

 

D.ick