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Diy Plastic Nib For Flex

Tenkai

By Tenkai
in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop

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Tenkai Rare

Tenkai

Posted
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Hi guys,

 

I happened to come across this on youtube. (It's not my work)

 

Thought I share it here since I see many people here like flex =D

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjKPMcjyWMM

My version of the guide for the Pilot Varsity Nib transplantation to the Platinum Preppy

DIY Retractable Fountain Pen (Couldn't get it to work, now refilling Schmidt 888 M refills with FP inks in a Pilot G2 Limited, the ceramic roller tip is as smooth as a Firm FP steel nib, Poor Man's VP I guess)

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ac12 Donor Pen

ac12

Posted
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Cool way to make a cheap flex nib

San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California

www.SFPenShow.com

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weltyj Mint

weltyj

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There was a thread about plastic nibs here:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/253196-super-flex-plastic/

 

I personally think this could be a "breakthrough" area in fountain pens. The range of plastics we have today is so much beyond what was available in the 1900's, that it seems someone will tinker around with the idea enough that eventually a molded, disposable plastic superflex nib could be the result...

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BlotBot Mint

BlotBot

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But would a plastic nib be accepted by the fountain pen afficianatos? They seem to have

a strong love of the historical. Sounds like a product for Noodlers!

-- Ellen

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Abner C. Kemp Vintage

Abner C. Kemp

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But would a plastic nib be accepted by the fountain pen afficianatos? They seem to have

a strong love of the historical. Sounds like a product for Noodlers!

 

I can't ever see the plastic nib overtaking metal nibs but they might be a good option for people interested in trying out a wide variety of nib sizes / flex options. If a suitable plastic could be found it would be possible to sell an entire set of plastic nibs XF-BB for pennies on the dollar. I think durability and cleaning is what holds the venture back.. without an iridium tip the plastic would break down quickly and most plastics would eventually absorb ink. It would be a great idea though.

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PrestoTenebroso Extremely Rare

PrestoTenebroso

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There was a thread about plastic nibs here:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/253196-super-flex-plastic/

 

I personally think this could be a "breakthrough" area in fountain pens. The range of plastics we have today is so much beyond what was available in the 1900's, that it seems someone will tinker around with the idea enough that eventually a molded, disposable plastic superflex nib could be the result...

It's funny you should say that. I am working on exactly that project. Could you fill out my survey and help me get some insights on what you all like?

www.DesiderataPens.com
www.PierreMiller.com

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ac12 Donor Pen

ac12

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The problem with plastic is the $$,$$$ COST to make the molds.

The model RailRoad community runs into that all the time when people want details specific to a railroad, vs a generic model. If the manufacturer can't sell enough to recover the cost of manufacturing, he looses money.

San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California

www.SFPenShow.com

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Tenkai Rare

Tenkai

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I also read someone about someone using the steel containers for some sweets to cut nibs out as well.

 

But has anyone tried this? How flex is it compared to an actual flex nib? I also guess that the nib wouldn't be as durable due to the material used. (how about polyurethane?)

My version of the guide for the Pilot Varsity Nib transplantation to the Platinum Preppy

DIY Retractable Fountain Pen (Couldn't get it to work, now refilling Schmidt 888 M refills with FP inks in a Pilot G2 Limited, the ceramic roller tip is as smooth as a Firm FP steel nib, Poor Man's VP I guess)

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peecee57 Near Mint

peecee57

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If the plastic nibs were cheap enough durability / ink staining would not really be a problem, you just buy another or probably print your own with a 3D printer :)

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MBFan Extremely Rare

MBFan

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That's so cool. Looks a lot like the future to me...who knows, we might end up paying a premium for steel nibs like we do for gold nibs now.

 

I'm excited :)

<img src='http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/606/letterji9.png' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /><span style='font-family: Arial Blue'></span>Colourless green ideas sleep furiously- Noam Chomsky

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MBFan Extremely Rare

MBFan

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If the plastic nibs were cheap enough durability / ink staining would not really be a problem, you just buy another or probably print your own with a 3D printer :)

Yes! I could imagine that you could design nib graphics/ engraving yourself, like a plastic version of your favourite nib. I'd love to see a Montblanc 149 nib made of plastic...I'd love try try a plastic flex version of that :D

<img src='http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/606/letterji9.png' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /><span style='font-family: Arial Blue'></span>Colourless green ideas sleep furiously- Noam Chomsky

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Tenkai Rare

Tenkai

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MBFan, you could try pulling out the feed and cutting out the shape of the nib to experiment ;)

My version of the guide for the Pilot Varsity Nib transplantation to the Platinum Preppy

DIY Retractable Fountain Pen (Couldn't get it to work, now refilling Schmidt 888 M refills with FP inks in a Pilot G2 Limited, the ceramic roller tip is as smooth as a Firm FP steel nib, Poor Man's VP I guess)

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BlotBot Mint

BlotBot

Posted
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The nib made from the plastic bottle in the video looked too floppy to me. Yes, it spread ink around, but it didnt seem to have much control. I would love to see some plastic flex nibs to attached to exisitng pens. If they are cheap, then they are disposible so longivity is not an issue.

-- Ellen

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Tenkai Rare

Tenkai

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I guess using a stronger plastic might work, maybe other forms of PE or even PU.

My version of the guide for the Pilot Varsity Nib transplantation to the Platinum Preppy

DIY Retractable Fountain Pen (Couldn't get it to work, now refilling Schmidt 888 M refills with FP inks in a Pilot G2 Limited, the ceramic roller tip is as smooth as a Firm FP steel nib, Poor Man's VP I guess)

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  • 2 weeks later...
kalem NOS (New Old Stock)

kalem

Posted
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With this many people separately thinking of flexible plastic nibs and the democratization of production, I think it's only a matter of time before several such products become a reality.

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Gloucesterman Antique

Gloucesterman

Posted
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See. I knew there were some very creative people here! I just knew it!

 

Thanks for the heads up on the video. It definitely stirs up some ideas.

 

Let's keep the ideas.

 

What about using a ceramic as a nib material - obviously not for flex, but iridium would not be an issue, I would think!

“Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today, because if you do it today and like it, you can do again tomorrow!”

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Tenkai Rare

Tenkai

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See. I knew there were some very creative people here! I just knew it!

 

Thanks for the heads up on the video. It definitely stirs up some ideas.

 

Let's keep the ideas.

 

What about using a ceramic as a nib material - obviously not for flex, but iridium would not be an issue, I would think!

 

As a person who brew coffee as a hobby, I remember ceramic is used for knives as well as burr grinders >_>

 

Not too sure if it would scratch loads.

 

There are glass nibs though, but both ceramic and glass nibs suffer from the same problem. Brittleness.

 

If you want wear abrasion plastics, look into nylon (Nylatron Unfilled) or stuff like PETP Polyester, PPS Polyphenylene Sulphide, PAI Polyamide-imide and PEEK Polyetheretherketone. However, these aren't exactly common plastics and might be very costly to synthesize.

My version of the guide for the Pilot Varsity Nib transplantation to the Platinum Preppy

DIY Retractable Fountain Pen (Couldn't get it to work, now refilling Schmidt 888 M refills with FP inks in a Pilot G2 Limited, the ceramic roller tip is as smooth as a Firm FP steel nib, Poor Man's VP I guess)

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  • 3 years later...
eighty_eighth NOS (New Old Stock)

eighty_eighth

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If someone were to make a plastic nib that was rigid enough where you couldn't cut it with scissors, how would you go about cutting the slit in the middle?

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Tweel Collectors Item

Tweel

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Probably with the same sort of abrasive-impregnated high-speed circular rubber blade that's used to slit metal nibs.

fpn_1375035941__postcard_swap.png * * * "Don't neglect to write me several times from different places when you may."
-- John Purdue (1863)

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