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Sealing An Eyedropper: How?


TassoBarbasso

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Good morning! :) Technical - and perhaps stupid - question: how do I seal an eyedropper to prevent ink leakage from the point where the section screws into the barrel without using silicone grease?

 

I've started using paraffin wax: once warmed with the fingers, it can be spread very homogeneously and seems to work well. However:

 

- Am I doing potential damage? I.e., is paraffin wax able to corrode or damage ebonite, or is it safe?

 

- Would it be better to use natural wax? I read somewhere that it contains potentially harmful acid substances?

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Is the pen (section and barrel) made of ebonite?

 

Ebonite is a very common material here and even though for last couple of decades I use only silicone grease for my ED pens, I have previously extensively used Vaseline (white petroleum jelly) to no detriment, however, YMMV.

 

Another popular thread sealant used for ED pens in South India is a thick paste made from mixing Rosin and Castor oil. you can find RCP formula from a guy called brahmam on the Indian pens forum.

 

I have also used candle wax gently rubbed on the section threads.

 

Hope this helps.

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why wouldn't you use silicone grease? It's cheap, easily available, safe, vegan.....?

Selling a boatload of restored, fairly rare, vintage Japanese gold nib pens, click here to see (more added as I finish restoring them)

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Is the pen (section and barrel) made of ebonite?

 

Ebonite is a very common material here and even though for last couple of decades I use only silicone grease for my ED pens, I have previously extensively used Vaseline (white petroleum jelly) to no detriment, however, YMMV.

 

Another popular thread sealant used for ED pens in South India is a thick paste made from mixing Rosin and Castor oil. you can find RCP formula from a guy called brahmam on the Indian pens forum.

 

I have also used candle wax gently rubbed on the section threads.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! :) yes, section and barrel are all made of ebonite (it's a Eureka FP, from South Korea, made of Nikko ebonite).

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why wouldn't you use silicone grease? It's cheap, easily available, safe, vegan.....?

 

I don't have a chance to go to a large dept store where I could find it, and I need to fill and seal the pen today ;)

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Thanks for the suggestions! :) yes, section and barrel are all made of ebonite (it's a Eureka FP, from South Korea, made of Nikko ebonite).

I seem to recall that eureka does not need any sealant on the threads. So I think you should take them up on their claim and see how good it is. I am interested in thd eureka too. But a wider nib and with clip.

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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I seem to recall that eureka does not need any sealant on the threads. So I think you should take them up on their claim and see how good it is. I am interested in thd eureka too. But a wider nib and with clip.

 

I also hope they'll make a B nib one day, but I'm happy with the M. I'll definitely buy more from them. I'd say go for it even without the clip: the pen is AMAZING. The ebonite is wonderful. And the craftsmanship outstanding. Plus you get the home-made nib & feed which are really unique touches.

 

Besides, I think the clip wouldn't be of much use: the pen would be too large anyway :)

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Never used grease to seal it off, I convert a few smaller barreled pens into EDs, the best being Sailor ProGears.

Thats daring!

Edited by TassoBarbasso
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a thick hand cream should do, something like Glysolid...

do wash it off afterwards and use 100% silicon grease, like the one used for scuba diving

something like this

https://www.amazon.it/Mares-silicone-grasso-20-ml-415102/dp/B00BTAAZGY/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_it_IT=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=silicone+mares&qid=1577137945&s=sports&sr=1-1

20 ml will last you a lifetime...

 

(Neutrogena should also work well, contains glycerin, bees wax and paraffin, do wash off after some use and substitute with pure silicon grease when possible)

Edited by sansenri
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I don't have a chance to go to a large dept store where I could find it, and I need to fill and seal the pen today ;)

 

I honestly wouldn't risk putting anything other than silicone grease on it. Other greases are not as inert, tacky, and something like wax (which might work decently) might be a bear to remove.

 

I'd just go without my FP for a day than risk damaging it or doing something that takes me 45 minutes with a toothbrush to undo.

Selling a boatload of restored, fairly rare, vintage Japanese gold nib pens, click here to see (more added as I finish restoring them)

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  • 3 weeks later...

Thats daring!

 

I keep them updated and clean and when a pen is obviously NOT going to work as a makeshift ED, end the project and clean things out immediately

 

But it has paid off for a handful of models, the demonstrator Sailor Pro Gear is always in rotation.

 

Daring for me would be using a pen with a plastic section, later noticing the streaks of royal blue on the walls or the floors or rugs of the office and home... :(

Edited by torstar
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