Ultrasound cleaners for nibs

[gyv]

What I am really looking for is a way to shorten the protocol of changing ink (flushing residues of old ink by repeated fillings and flushes until the pen spits almost clear water, using a piston or a converter (I have no clue how to clean a cartridge-only pen, seems to me mission impossible); then let the pen dry all night before filling it with the new ink).

 

My question is: would an ultrasound cleaner help me shorten this noble but quite time-consuming activity? If yes, what type/brand? I own (or perhaps I should say: I am owned by) 200+ pens.

Thank you for your help,

 

-Gerard

 

[Flourish]

Your basic $20 - $30 jewelry cleaning Ultrasonic cleaner should do the trick nicely. You can find these easiest online like through Amazon.com. They don't necessarily shorten the cleaning time as it takes a few minutes for them to do their thing but they do clean your pens better than a simple flushing would. Even in the smallest sizes you can clean 3-5 complete pens at the same time or about 20 nib sections. After the fountain pens themselves an ultrasonic cleaner is the single most useful fountain pen accessory. I use mine everyday as I go through quite a bit of ink and like to clean my pens before refilling to keep them working at optimum performance.

Edited November 15, 2009 by Flourish

[Margana]

Wow, that's a lot of pens to maintain! An ultrasonic cleaner would be a real improvement over your current method.

 

I wrote about my routine on my blog but the short of it is to rinse a few times and pop the nib in the ultrasonic cleaner for a cycle or two. Not too many at a time since knocking together during the cleaning can cause scratches. That's all there is to it. Generally I leave my pens nib down overnight in a cup lined with paper towels to absorb any water left in the nib. Then reload with ink as needed. I can clean five to ten pens in twenty minutes. More pens if pressed for time. Sound good?

[lapis]

That would definitely be a big help and save a lot of time. But mainly for any pen which is clogged and/or lying around unused for months or years. Otherwise I'd suggest that you wash as usual with water, then detergent, then water again each 10-20x plus a rest overnight.

 

But since I don't have any pens which I never use, an ultrasonication isn't necessary.

 

Mike

[pw1224]

I'm reviving this thread to see if anyone has further recommendations on ultrasonic cleaners. (A few years have passed since the last posting here.)

 

Any brands to avoid? Any that are just fantastic?

 

Thanks!!!

[SnowLeopard]

U fill all 200 simultaneously? Fill fewer pens....lol. Cart only??...if so, get a blue ear irrigation bulb from a med supply or pharmacy. Then... fit it to the section, fill with H2O... and squish to your heart's content. Never used an ultrasonic...not 4 me. Piston or converter...flush and fill x times ...let drain in a cup into a wad of paper toweling over nite. I'm not fond of chems in ultras...nor do I believe that feeds are unaltered over time. Just my take on pen cleaning....especially a vintage . No clogs to report ...ever.

Edited June 12, 2011 by SnowLeopard

[WOBentley]

I have one from Mars Staedtler...got it years ago for cleaning technical pens. Does double duty for my FP's. It is too small to completely submerge a pen, but the nib ends can go in, or sections can be placed or, in the case of Esterbrooks and the like the removable nib can be places in there. Does a great job. I usually run it for 2-3 minute time periods as it can get hot if left on for too long. YMMV

[JefferyS]

They used to sell them rather inexpensively for cleaning dentures. Here is one on Amazon.com.

[Joe in Seattle]

Branson is a brand that also produces professional sizes" i bought Sheila a jewelry cleaning one some years ago which had a stainless steel tank. That's a good feature for us pen folks.

 

Model 200 is still in production and costs @$120 more or less depending on vendor.

Edited June 12, 2011 by Joe in Seattle

[paperskater]

I got a really cheap one from one of those discount stores. I can't remember if it was TJ Maxx or Ross, but it was less than $15 and it works wonderfully.

[SamCapote]

I got a really cheap one from one of those discount stores. I can't remember if it was TJ Maxx or Ross, but it was less than $15 and it works wonderfully.

 

I think mine was $25, and don't believe the brand matters. I rarely find it necessary to use the ultrasound, and didn't find that it increased the flushing time--unless I got a pen with dried ink from someone. For me, the rubber bulb ear syringe is the fastest for sucking water back and forth in nib/sections using cartridges/converters. Piston fillers just take more time. I fill & flush until clear, then let sit overnight full of water, and just a couple more flushes and it's done and ready to dry which can take a while. Some people use a modified salad spinner to have centrifugal force help empty the ink/water with piston, lever, sac pens.

[bluejay]

I got a branson one from Toronto for about $50.

I got a really cheap one from one of those discount stores. I can't remember if it was TJ Maxx or Ross, but it was less than $15 and it works wonderfully.

 

I think mine was $25, and don't believe the brand matters. I rarely find it necessary to use the ultrasound, and didn't find that it increased the flushing time--unless I got a pen with dried ink from someone. For me, the rubber bulb ear syringe is the fastest for sucking water back and forth in nib/sections using cartridges/converters. Piston fillers just take more time. I fill & flush until clear, then let sit overnight full of water, and just a couple more flushes and it's done and ready to dry which can take a while. Some people use a modified salad spinner to have centrifugal force help empty the ink/water with piston, lever, sac pens.

[psychobabble]

I got mine at meritline.com for $20 with free shipping. Use the code: MLC61B3CNL1 to get the price to $20.

 

Here is the link to it:

 

http://www.meritline.com/sonic-wave-cd-2800-ultrasonic-jewelry-eyeglass-cleaner---p-55402.aspx?hq_e=el&hq_m=2219639&hq_l=13&hq_v=5a4965a8c8

 

I also use mine to clean eyeglasses and jewelry. It works fine, not heavy duty, but for the price is good for me and my pens.

 

Make sure you read up on the threads concerning immersing an entire piston filler and the concerns about getting water into the "backside" of the piston mechanism from the threads if you do this.

[WOBentley]

Psychobabble...Thanks for the heads-up and coupon, This will work great for my wife who is an artist and often has the need to use something like this! Ordered!

[KarloT]

I bought a generic one for the equivalent of $20. I am not sure if it is truly ultrasonic. It works on a 3-minute cycle and after two consecutive cycles, the water does heat up a bit.

 

For used pens, the machine is a blessing. I bought a Parker 75 with a Mk1 section and the ultrasonic helped dislodge a lot of dried ink from the collector. It also works well for Parker 45s. I do note that I still need to flush water through the sections after ultrasonic treatment though. The ear irrigation syringe works well for this.

 

I've also noticed that if pen hygiene is good, there is almost nothing for the ultrasonic to expel. In my case, I clean my daily writers weekly. Everything else is kept dry until I need them inked. It also helps to go with inks that aren't too troublesome. My current lineup includes PR American Blue, Diamine Teal, Diamine Chocolate Brown, J. Herbin Poussiere de Lune and Violette Pensee, Pelikan 4001 Blue Black, Waterman Black and Waterman Blue Black. None have been difficult to flush out and I have luckily never had ink dry and clog a pen yet.

 

For batch cleaning though, the ultrasonic is great. I would probably not immerse the barrels of Pelikans and Lamy 2000s though. Just the nibs should be fine.

[stuartk]

I got mine at meritline.com for $20 with free shipping. Use the code: MLC61B3CNL1 to get the price to $20.

 

Thanks! I just ordered one of these too.

[pw1224]

Thank you for the link and the coupon. This will be great for my retainers, rings, and pens. Woo hoo!