Homemade Nibs

[Desertsnowman]

I'm interested in starting to make some custom pens. I don't like the idea of using kits. I think i would like to start on ripping up old pens and using their part.

But when it comes to the nibs, is it possible or even recommended to make your own?

 

Does anyone or has anyone attempted to make them? I have seen some videos of modern pen manufacturers using stamps and presses, but was wondering what it would take to go fully custom.

[watch_art]

somebody on here made some nibs from sheets of a Ti alloy.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/188675-does-anyone-make-their-own-nibs/page__view__findpost__p__1905681

[professionaldilettante]

I would think that the people skilled at restoring nibs, especially the really bent and cracked ones, would be able to make one, even complete with tipping. If they can build 50% of a nib back, and put tines on it and slit it after retipping it, a whole nib shouldn't be much harder. The thing is why? when you could just buy nibs, and build your own nib assembly?

[watch_art]

i agree. but everybody has different desires. if I'm able to make something or rig something up, rather than go buy something, I do it. some things though are too much a pain in the butt to make yourself.

[Desertsnowman]

Thanks for that link. really helpful. Sorry i didnt do proper search to find it myself.

 

My reasoning on making my own nibs is that if i'm to make my own pen, I would want the whole thing to be custom made. But on the other hand, there are a lot of nice nibs available so i'll probably buy them at first then for the real custom work give a shot at the nibs.

[DanF]

Making a working feed might be just as tricky as making the nib.

 

Dan

[UltraMagnus]

You will need a resistance welder with custom electrodes to weld the iridium to the tip, and a 0.001 inch thick saw blade to cut the slit. It is possible, but far from cheap.

[Eoghan2009]

I just replaced a key on my daughter's laptop. There were six six interlocking pieces of plastic all with tiny slots and protruding pegs - the accuracy with which it is engineered is staggering.

 

Looking at my Parker 25 italic nib I wonder at the thickness of the metal and the rolled back "tip" smoothed and then cut to make the tines. The scale you are working on is soooo small! Metal is also less easy to work than plastic - and more costly.

 

I have tried making a medium into an italic - big problem. Making italic nibs for P25's I can understand esp as there were so few made. Making nibs for new pens - it's like knitting your own sox when you can get them for £1 each in Tesco!

[knitknitfrog]

Making nibs for new pens - it's like knitting your own sox when you can get them for £1 each in Tesco!

 

As a sock knitter I object!

Tesco socks are a world away in quality comfort and fit in comparison to hand knit socks!

Edited August 30, 2011 by knitknitfrog

[professionaldilettante]

Making nibs for new pens - it's like knitting your own sox when you can get them for £1 each in Tesco!

 

As a sock knitter I object!

Tesco socks are a world away in quality comfort and fit in comparison to hand knit socks!

I agree... unless the one dollar socks were hand knitted from Merino wool and equipped with elastic, made to custom fit my feet...

[Desertsnowman]

I'm starting to think I should just get some old nibs and use those for now

[UltraMagnus]

If you don't want to make them out of gold, anything with a mohs hardness above 6.5 (the hardness of iridium) should not require tipping, I would imagine tungsten would work well.

[Vintagepens]

Honestly, there is such a good supply of high quality vintage nibs available -- why not take advantage?

[rockspyder]

I'm starting to think I should just get some old nibs and use those for now

Yeah, just to get the "feel" for it first, maybe also try engraving some nibs. I use a Zeiss hobby microscope, 16-63x stereo, and a Dremel. With a bit of practice on old nibs, you'll have enough confidence for more ambitious ventures soon!