Jinhao Nib Gets Loose After Taking It Out

[WJM]

As you probably know in most of Jinhao pens you can very easly take the nib and the feed out, to clean, to put a different nib, etc. I recently did that with Jinhao X750 and 159 - for cleaning reasons - and unfortunately there is a problem. When I put the nib and the tongue back, the nib is weirdly loose, especially in X750. I mean, I can still use the pen, it writes and it's not like it's falling apart - but the nib rather too easly moves little to the left or little to the right, which is pretty annoying and could be troublesome while writing. I tried to take it out and put in again a few times, I tried pushing it in harder, but it won't go.

 

Anyone had a similar problem? Am I doing something wrong?

Edited February 13, 2017 by WJM

[Sasha Royale]

 

Am I doing something wrong?

Yes. You are taking the nib and section out ! This part of the assembly is "friction" fitted. It is not intended to be removed regularly. Disassembly is not necessary for routine cleaning / maintenance. Unless the pen is neglected, clean water flushing is all that is required.

 

When reassembling, be mindful of the positioning of the nib relative to the feed. Sometimes, the assembly must be inserted in one certain way only. Check alignment. I regret to suspect that frequent removal has worn the fitted parts.

Edited February 13, 2017 by Sasha Royale

[rwilsonedn]

What Sasha Royale said. Removing the nib and feed from a pen should not be a routine operation. It's something that gets done maybe a couple of times in the life of the pen, when a nib or feed has to be replaced. Regular cleaning does not require disassembly unless you are using a very hostile ink. If that's the case, maybe you should consider changing to a pen manufacturer's ink.

ron

[WJM]

I wouldn't suspect the parts wore out. I was doing it for the first time. I only repeated it after the problem occurred.

Edited February 13, 2017 by WJM

[Chrissy]

It might only fit in perfectly one way. If there is a ridge around the section end then it will need to match up with the flat part of the feed. Or it might be that if there is a part of the edge of the section end that is cut away, that's where the nib should go.

 

But, you would be wise to not keep removing it or it will become too loose to use.

[ac12]

 

 

I wouldn't suspect the parts wore out. I was doing it for the first time. I only repeated it after the problem occurred.

 

All it may need was that one time to loosen the tight fit.

That is why the recommendation to NOT pull a nib+feed, unless you absolutely have to pull it.

[WJM]

Thanks for the advice.

 

Wish I learned that before...

[WJM]

This may be a silly question, but I just had this thought...

Is it, in general, risky to use cartriges in pens those friction fit fountain pens? I mean, puting a cartrige in the pen always puts some serious pressure on the feed, doesn't it? Isn't there a risk to loosen it?

Edited February 28, 2017 by WJM

[richardandtracy]

There should be no risk whatsoever.

In modern fountain pens, the nibs tend to come as part of a nib unit, which consists of a nib, a feed and a housing. This is shown here: http://www.beaufortink.co.uk/bocksize6.html

 

When you push the cartridge into the pen, you are pushing against the housing, which is usually screwed or glued into the section. No forces get to the nib or feed to push them out.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[WJM]

Thanks for your answer. I'm relieved

Now, however, I'm back with the previous problem. So I have a pen with loose friction-fit nib. I'm thinking about doing something to tighten the fit. I thought about nail polish first, I even tried it with one Jinhao (which is damaged anyway so I don't hesitate to experiment on it). It seems to fit, and the pen seems to work when I put a cartrige in, but I worry it won't be very durable, especially considering the fact that this part of the pen is obviously exposed for getting wet.

Should I try shellac? Is there a point?

Edited March 19, 2017 by WJM