Dropping Ink From The Pen

[Hermannn]

Hello

 

One of my fountain pens has a problem, about which I would like to know if is possible to repair:

 

There is some ink dropping when I shake it softly, the nib pointing downwards. I know is normal ink dropping if you shake vigorously the pen, but I am referring a soft shaking. Is this normal? If not: can be repaired?

 

Thank you very much

[777]

What type of pen:

 

Brand?

 

Filling system?

 

Ink?

[Ron Z]

Some just do that. It does remind one of the joke where a guy went to the doctor and said "Doctor, my arm hurts when I move it like this..." To which the doctor replied, "then don't move it like that."

 

A lot of things can cause a pen to burp ink, though vintage pens are more prone to it than modern, and some vintage brands more than others. I've found that modern pens have better ink control than the vintage pens. Even so, I avoid shaking pens. The truth is that it can be tough to diagnose without seeing the pen and having a chance to play with it.

[docusn]

Hi Hermannn -

 

We're glad you found us. There is SO much knowledge freely shared here I just know you will find out what you seek.

 

As with most questions, the more information you provide, the easier it is to pin down an item. So, as 777 said:

What type of pen:

 

Brand?

 

Filling system?

 

Ink?

 

Again, welcome!

 

Mark

[Leftytoo]

1) If your pen uses either a converter or is piston fill, try the filling method in Sailor instruction sheet: a) with nib pointing down, rotate knob to expel 1 to 3 drops of ink; point the nib upward and rotate the knob in opposite direction until it stops; c) wipe down the nib. This fix works with my vintage Aurora. If you use cartridges, this obviously not the problem, so read on.

 

2) A common cause of burping is an air leak somewhere in the system. I had another pen that burped ink after it was about 2/3 empty. An inspection showed that the section to body joint was not air tight. Re-cementing the joint cured the problem.

 

3) Very lubricating inks such as Waterman and Quink are more prone to leaking than dry inks such as Pelikan.

 

Bob

[Hermannn]

thank you for your answers

 

The pen is a cheap one, named 'Penplas' Made in Great Britain(By the way, if anyone could give some information about the brand it would be very useful for me). Lever filling, I guess around the 1940s. the inlk is a cheap, common one.

 

Thanks again.

 

P.S.: So, is common in old pens, even in good quality brands, ink burping when you shake them?

[777]

thank you for your answers

 

The pen is a cheap one, named 'Penplas' Made in Great Britain(By the way, if anyone could give some information about the brand it would be very useful for me). Lever filling, I guess around the 1940s. the inlk is a cheap, common one.

 

Thanks again.

 

P.S.: So, is common in old pens, even in good quality brands, ink burping when you shake them?

 

A lever filler can have the following problems causing leaks:

 

1) To big of a sac is installed. I find this very often on these pens.

 

2) the current sac is not sealed properly onto the section. Re-sealing it would help.

 

3) The nib and feed are not set properly.

 

4) It just doesn't feel like working.

 

Like Ron said - some pens just walk up to you and say no, right to your face... I've had a few...

 

Oddly enough, other pens won't let you find anything wrong with them, even if you're trying!

 

It's not very common for old pens to leak ink, as long as they're properly fixed/restored.

[eckiethump]

thank you for your answers

 

The pen is a cheap one, named 'Penplas' Made in Great Britain(By the way, if anyone could give some information about the brand it would be very useful for me). Lever filling, I guess around the 1940s. the inlk is a cheap, common one.

 

Thanks again.

 

P.S.: So, is common in old pens, even in good quality brands, ink burping when you shake them?

 

Does it have "Made in Great Britain" imprinted on it ? This would be unusual, as pens with that imprint are many times Made in Scotland, which is never, to my knowledge, imprinted on pens.

 

 

Penplas Industries Ltd

3/3a Highbury Station Road

London N1

 

"Plus" pen, lever filler, with plated nib retailed at 5/-(25p) plus purchase tax from 1947-1952

"Marked success at he British Industries Trade Fair"

 

Information supplied from Steve Hull's new limited edition book:

The English Fountain pen Industry 1875-1975

Priced at £55, it is limited to 100 copies and was launched at the WES London pen show this week end, a must for any pen historian of BRITISH pens (says the Scotsman). Or those such as I, who have an interest of the less common brands of pen

 

et

Edited October 6, 2011 by eckiethump

[Hermannn]

thanks for your answers.

 

Eckiethump: Sorry I had a lapsus: it is not stamped "Great Britain"(what, in fact would not be common), it is "Made in England". I didn´t understand the last part of your message: Did you mean that this "penplas" fountain pen is limited to 100 copies made between 1947-52 and has been recently sold at 55GBP?

 

On te other hand, I have checked the sac and think there´s no problem with it. perhaps it is regarding the feed and or the nib: Although(according to other models like this I have seen)te nib seems original, there is a little looseness at the nib and feed. What´s the exact point to which the feed must be placed behind te nib, and how much at maximum the nib should be inserted into the section? There is, also, a problem of excess of ink flood wen writting.

 

Thank you very much

[777]

thanks for your answers.

 

Eckiethump: Sorry I had a lapsus: it is not stamped "Great Britain"(what, in fact would not be common), it is "Made in England". I didn´t understand the last part of your message: Did you mean that this "penplas" fountain pen is limited to 100 copies made between 1947-52 and has been recently sold at 55GBP?

 

On te other hand, I have checked the sac and think there´s no problem with it. perhaps it is regarding the feed and or the nib: Although(according to other models like this I have seen)te nib seems original, there is a little looseness at the nib and feed. What´s the exact point to which the feed must be placed behind te nib, and how much at maximum the nib should be inserted into the section? There is, also, a problem of excess of ink flood wen writting.

 

Thank you very much

 

Hard to tell without a clear picture, but it your sac might be to big. Any chance of a good photo of the pen, with the section off, next to the body for size comparison?

[eckiethump]

I didn´t understand the last part of your message: Did you mean that this "penplas" fountain pen is limited to 100 copies made between 1947-52 and has been recently sold at 55GBP?

Thank you very much

 

This is referencing the book that is available, only 100 copies of it, priced at £55, where my information came from.

Eric

[Hermannn]

I am sending two pictures

 

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/97/pen1d.jpg/

 

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/811/pen2cg.jpg/

[Hermannn]

Hello.

 

I sent some pictures so you can let me know is all is correct with this pen. Please, let me know. Thanks