Question On Broken Ebonite Feed

[majorworks]

This probably belongs in the Repair subforum, but I think it's appropriate here given the topic. Bear with me...

 

I have a Ratnamson Supreme that I've had for a few years now. The feed in this pen protruded a good 0.25" out of the rear end of the section. I haven't been using it because the flow isn't the best and the stock fine nib is somewhat scratchy despite my clumsy attempts to smooth it. So yesterday, on an impulse, I decided to try to knock out the feed, clean it, etc., and see if I could get things working a little better. I'd never taken the feed out of this pen before.

 

I don't have a proper knockout block, so I improvised. The good news is I got the feed out. The bad news is that it broke off inside the section just behind the back end of the nib. I'd post a picture but haven't taken one.

 

So my question: Would you use the pen in this condition? Should I replace the feed? Whereas before it protruded out of the section, it now ends somewhere short of the end. Some of you will probably say, well, fill it and see what happens. I just thought I'd tap into the collective wisdom here first.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions, etc.

[mhguda]

I guess it would depend on how much of the nib still sits over ebonite so it gets ink fed from the barrel. From your description, I would think you'd have a fair bit of cover. So yes, I would use the feed as it is. Maybe push the whole (nib and feed together) slightly farther in, if possible. Also, if you find the flow less than you want, you might just scrape out the main channel of the feed. Not too much... but I have found that to work well. Often what you end up scraping out is left-behind inky solids. But if the feed was not used much, you'd be scraping off actual ebonite material. So go slow... and you might also open it up a little bit at the end, so it becomes slightly wider there, presenting more of an opening for the ink to enter.

Good luck & let us know how it all goes?

[majorworks]

Thanks for your input. The broken feed is longer than the base of the nib, i.e., all of it sits over ebonite. When I had it out, I did scrub out the channels gently. I guess there's nothing to do but fill it and see what transpires.

[mhguda]

Did any crud come out? If yes, I'd say you're good to go. If not, then scraping out the channel may be called for, to increase the flow of ink. If you think the flow is good enough, then again, good to go. Good luck & I hope to hear how it goes.

[subbucal]

A slight extension of the feed from behind the section is good, as it leaves an exposed channel into barrel which helps in improved flow.

 

In this case the feed ends within section, still not an issue, the feed will perform.

 

You will have to ensure, that the channel mouth has a free passage. If you observe, there is a small opening/mouth between feed and section wall, ink flows through this into channel.. This must be unobstructed.

 

Rest looks fine... I can send you feeds, let me know.

 

Best regards

[majorworks]

Mr. Subrumaniam:

 

Thanks very much for your reply. I haven't as yet had an opportunity to fill and use the pen, but I'm convinced that the feed will work fine as is. The channel mouth is clear as is the channel itself. If I have a worry at this point, it's that if I hold the section up to a bright light and look straight into the section toward the back of the feed, I can see light on either side of the nib between the feed and inner section wall as well as through the channel itself. I think the pen is going to be quite a wet writer when I next fill it.

 

I'll try it soon and report back!

[majorworks]

I'm back to follow up on how things are with my Ratnamson Supreme... I've filled it with Pelikan royal blue (my test/control ink) and, as I'd predicted, the former dry writer is now quite wet. But it's alive and well, and writing more like a medium now than an Indian fine, which is OK with me.

 

 

 

Edited September 21, 2017 by majorworks

[basupriyapaul]

That's good to hear that the pen's working fine, for the while

Just make sure to be a bit easy on the pen next time

[majorworks]

That's good to hear that the pen's working fine, for the while

Just make sure to be a bit easy on the pen next time

 

Are you trying to say that I shouldn't use a conveniently-sized hole in the frame of my snowblower as a knock-out block again?

[basupriyapaul]

 

Are you trying to say that I shouldn't use a conveniently-sized hole in the frame of my snowblower as a knock-out block again?

What I'm am basically trying to say is just make sure that next time think twice before you pull out that feed again, because this time you may not be so lucky as before.

By the way, could you please post an image as how you proceeded with the taking out of the feed and the nib (along with the 'your knockout block') ? Then it will be easier to suggest a better (a less hurting) way