Stuck Ink To Cartridge Top

[drgt]

I often seem to "Run out of ink" because the ink is stuck to the top end of the cartridge and "defies" gravity!

 

Any suggestions?

[Beechwood]

A flick of the finger usually sorts out this problem.

[drgt]

You mean take the pen out of the pocked, unscrew it, take the cartridge cover off, and flick till it drops? I don't think so.

Sometimes it may take 4-5 flicks till it drops!

 

There must be a way to PREVENT this.

 

I was thinking to empty cartridge, lube with silicone grease (thin coat) and refill. Will that damage the pen?

[Beechwood]

It occurs to me that flicking the cartridge as much as 4-5 flicks is a better solution than coating the inside of the cartridge with grease.

 

However, let us know how you get on.

 

The effect may be reduced by eliminating surface tension in the ink, if you refill your cartridges then a tiny amount of dish washing detergent may assist.

 

But really, just flick the cartridge.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Beechwood

[hari317]

A stainless steel ball introduced into the cartridge will help break the meniscus caused by high surface tension of your ink. Standard technique.

Edited December 17, 2017 by hari317

[drgt]

Well,

 

As to the flicking, It needs visual confirmation, thus the need to take the pen appart.

 

As to the ball, this being a pilot cartridge where the opening is quite big, the ball might interfere with ink flow, or get stuck inside the pen.

I would however, like to hear from one who has done it.

 

Reading on this issue the cartridge might not be well fluted, so perhaps I should try another one?

[hari317]

Well,

 

As to the flicking, It needs visual confirmation, thus the need to take the pen appart.

 

As to the ball, this being a pilot cartridge where the opening is quite big, the ball might interfere with ink flow, or get stuck inside the pen.

I would however, like to hear from one who has done it.

 

Reading on this issue the cartridge might not be well fluted, so perhaps I should try another one?

The pilot cartridge has a disc shaped valve. When open, it is vertical. Pull the valve out using a tweezer. Drop the ball in and replace the valve disc. This way the ball wont be lost. Pilot feeders have narrow channels. There is no way a ball which can freely move inside the cartridge but be large enough to be stopped by the valve, can get stuck in the pen. Good luck! Edited December 17, 2017 by hari317

[drgt]

hari317

I see you quoted me, but do not see an answer...

[hari317]

hari317

I see you quoted me, but do not see an answer...

some board issue. Can you see it now? Edited December 17, 2017 by hari317

[drgt]

Yes, I removed the flap / valve but threw it away so that when I reinsert the cartridge (after refilling) I do not have to think which way it was aligned, much like a converter that does not have a flap / valve.

Edited December 17, 2017 by drgt

[jar]

Yes, I removed the flap / valve but threw it away so that when I reinsert the cartridge (after refilling) I do not have to think which way it was aligned, much like a converter that does not have a flap / valve.

Then instead of a steel ball insert a gold compression spring like those used on keyboards.

[drgt]

Then instead of a steel ball insert a gold compression spring like those used on keyboards.

Tips where to find / how to, on this?

[drgt]

Update:

 

The offending ink is Noodler's HOD.

 

This behavior is NOT seen in another cartridge with JHPN.

 

I will let you know of the outcome when I fill the offending cartridge with JHPN, to find out if it is the ink or the cartridge.

 

In the mean time, please do post your thoughts.

[Fermata]

You have had good advice so far, probably in excess of the value of the problem.

 

at the risk of stating the obvious if this is the only cartridge that doesnt work, throw it away. But if you must persevere, empty it, wash it out, then wash it out again with a mild detergent in water, rinse and refill with ink.

[minddance]

Put a ball in, and shake for ink. Have you heard of the Pilot Shaker?

 

Or dip a toothpick in Kodak Photoflo200, scrape of the excess liquid and dip into your catridge to lower the surface tension.

Edited December 18, 2017 by minddance

[Chrissy]

I wouldn't even dismantle the pen to ensure the cartridge ink isn't defying gravity. I would just flick it if it started to look like it was drying out.

[jar]

Tips where to find / how to, on this?

Find the springs at a computer store. Drop it into your cartridge.

[Honeybadgers]

Instead of all this nonsense get a CON-40 converter.

 

Pilot cartridges are awful because pilot insists on having some stupid proprietary converter. They all actually suck pretty hard. But at least pilot's converters work properly, and the CON-40 fits the vanishing point.

[drgt]

Quit using other than JH Perle Noir. No problems with that.

 

The ball bearings will do for inks that present with this problem.

[minddance]

Shake. Shake for ink. Very crude and primitive but works.

 

Have you heard of the Pilot Shaker? It's the same with their fountain pens.