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How Did A Drafting Inkwell Work?

Mr Tutt

By Mr Tutt
in Paper and Pen Paraphernalia

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ac12 Donor Pen

ac12

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The one that you linked to seems to have a nib in the cap, but others have a shaft in the cap.

My guess is the shaft on these inkwells were used to put ink into the drafting pens. It would hold ink from the bottle, then you would touch the drafting pen to the shaft and transfer ink from the shaft to the pen. This would keep excessive ink from the tip of the pen, if you were to dip the pen.

The lever on the back looks like something to easily open the ink well with one hand.

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

www.SFPenShow.com

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ThyPenMaker Mint

ThyPenMaker

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I did find a photo of one in the up position.

 

post-125734-0-76031800-1446040346.jpg

"Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr

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ThyPenMaker Mint

ThyPenMaker

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I sent an email to Sam at Pendemonium with a request for information, this is what he sent.

 

"Hi Thomas - Altender and other brands of drafting inkwells work like this:

You lower the spring into the bottle of ink
Raising the spring brings up a perfect drop of ink
You put your dip pen nib under the drop of ink
Do your drafting thing with the drop of ink
Repeat over and over :)

Best regards, Sam"

 

I would think this would be perfect for any who use a dip nib a lot.

Thanks, Pendemonium

Edited by Inkfillet

"Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr

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ThyPenMaker Mint

ThyPenMaker

Posted
Posted (edited)

I suppose this one is next, the dipless (at Pendemonium):

post-125734-0-74966500-1446120691.jpg

Edited by Inkfillet

"Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr

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ac12 Donor Pen

ac12

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Yes, the Esterbrook dipless pens are another rabbit hole to slide into.

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

www.SFPenShow.com

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Sasha Royale Museum Piece

Sasha Royale

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Drafting Pen ? If we are discussing the "ruling pen" used in drawing straight lines, guided by a T-square and triangles, I can offer some insight. Ruling pen is two blades of steel that spring apart to a separation of about 1/8 inch. A screw and nut adjusts the two blades to desired line width. Ink is applied between the two blades. I use to apply ink with the eyedropper of the bottle of drawing ink. This device would raise a "ladle" of ink from the inkwell, allowing the draftsman to transfer a drop of ink to the ruling pen very efficiently. (I think.)

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=Dietzgen+ruling+pen&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS585US585&espv=2&biw=854&bih=523&tbm=isch&imgil=LDxmiTcrg3L_7M%253A%253BFmYVeIsoYqHrlM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fitm%25252FVINTAGE-DIETZGEN-RULING-PEN-IN-ORIGINAL-BOX-made-in-GERMANY-RARE-COLLECTABLE-%25252F111599633588&source=iu&pf=m&fir=LDxmiTcrg3L_7M%253A%252CFmYVeIsoYqHrlM%252C_&dpr=1.5&usg=__VTMAYhNHriSO9fEkCrGTswJNveI%3D&ved=0CCYQyjdqFQoTCMjs6YDy6MgCFUKWiAod7pwAXA&ei=R7MyVoitMcKsogTuuYLgBQ#imgrc=L1nONJ-yVc8qEM%3A&usg=__VTMAYhNHriSO9fEkCrGTswJNveI%3D

 

Have look at the draftsman's ruling pen. I think all this will make sense. If not, then "oh well".

Edited by Sasha Royale

Auf freiem Grund mit freiem Volke stehn.
Zum Augenblicke dürft ich sagen:
Verweile doch, du bist so schön !

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ThyPenMaker Mint

ThyPenMaker

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I don't think the ruling pen is why the drafting ink well was invented. Draftsmen couldn't stick a 3x4 foot drawing in a typewriter and print out the dimensions on it, he had to hand print it all in. I've used the ruling pen and I don't remember it being very good at printing copy.

In 1962 I worked in the copy room at Von Braun's engineering building with hundreds of engineers and I don't recall a single blueprint with italic print on it. It was all monoline.

"Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr

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Sasha Royale Museum Piece

Sasha Royale

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Okay. I hand-lettered, as well. I printed in all upper case block letters, using a scratchy old dip pen.

I never had any problems with dipping the pen. How would a slower, intermediate device help in hand-lettering ?

 

I became quite proficient at lettering, just in time for the office to equip everyone with Leroy template sets. All my glory stolen.

Auf freiem Grund mit freiem Volke stehn.
Zum Augenblicke dürft ich sagen:
Verweile doch, du bist so schön !

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uemuraw Rare

uemuraw

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In 1962 I worked in the copy room at Von Braun's engineering building with hundreds of engineers and I don't recall a single blueprint with italic print on it. It was all monoline.

 

In Huntsville?

Qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur.

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ThyPenMaker Mint

ThyPenMaker

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Posted (edited)

Yes, Bldg 3200. 3rd floor. It was my first job.

Edited by Inkfillet

"Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr

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Sammyo Mint

Sammyo

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Ha! I just referred them to this thread.

Ha ha ha, great minds...

Sam O

"A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

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uemuraw Rare

uemuraw

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Yes, Bldg 3200. 3rd floor. It was my first job.

 

That is so cool! Did y'all use these sorts of inkwells back then?

Qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur.

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ThyPenMaker Mint

ThyPenMaker

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That is so cool! Did y'all use these sorts of inkwells back then?

I really don't know, I was in the copy room, and my clearance wasn't high enough to go exploring.

"Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr

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