Filling From Vials

[swanjun]

In order to avoid contamination of ink bottles, I have seen it recommended that one instead transplant some of the ink into a vial and fill from there instead, and I am debating whether to do this myself.

 

For those of you who actually do this, what's your system like? Any tips, caveats, or links to supplies, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

[ISW_Kaputnik]

I don't know that it's a system as such. I've acquired a number of plastic vials with 1.0 ml. gradations on them. A couple had ink samples, others were used to hold replacement nibs. I use them all for inks now; rinsing them out with an ammonia solution before changing the ink. However, this is not my default way of filling pens; I used it more to measure their ink capacity. Originally I was filling it to the 5 ml. mark and then seeing about how much was left after filling a pen. Someone pointed out that you could get a better measurement by using a syringe with 0.1 ml gradations on it to put in 5 ml. Fill the pen, then use the syringe to empty the vial again, and measure how much is left with the scale on the syringe. Typically, once I know how much a given pen will hold, I don't bother doing it that way again.

 

People who like measuring performance factors might understand why I do this. Other people might think it's pointless, but still use vials to fill their pens. Either way, I'd suggest filling the vial with a syringe, and putting in enough ink so that the nib can remain submerged while you fill the pen.

[kestrel]

I started using the vials because many of my pens (mostly lever, crescent, or button fillers) don't fill well from half full bottles. I also became a little more wary of contamination after my first SITB incident. I transfer the ink to the vial with a syringe, put a paper label on the cap with the name of the ink, and store the vials in a rack for small test tubes purchased from Amazon. The vials are mostly sample vials from Goulet. Here's a link to the test tube rack. Quality is not the greatest but it works and it is inexpensive.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Z4QWIK/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My biggest caution is that the vials are not stable and the odds of a vial tipping over to spill its contents is directly proportional to the amount of ink it contains, staining properties of the ink, and the value/stainability of the surface it will spill on. I use a clear plastic "disposable" cellophane tape dispenser to hold the vial upright and work on a washable surface. The vial fits in the plastic hole that holds the roll of tape.

[JazzDoc]

I've been doing this for a long time. As kestrel wrote just a few moments before I'm posting this, I also bought a bunch of the plastic vials from Goulet pens, as well as some of the vial racks Brian carries. I fill the vials about 3/4's of the way with a glass eyedropper, label each with 1/2" x 1-3/4" return mail label (with either an inked pen or a J.Herbin glass dip pen and using the ink which the vial contains).

The process avoids contamination of the ink bottles and it's easy to assemble the vials in whatever order you choose, in order to access easily. The glass eyedropper is cleaned quickly by simply running some tap water through it.

 

Only problems are filling certain pens with thick sections, such as Delta Dolce Vita, etc.

 

To stabilize the vial while filling I have one of those plastic trays which are used to make kid's flavored frozen pops on a stick. I stuff one of the receptacles half way with some Kleenex to elevate the vial and there's almost no way to have an accident.

Edited October 8, 2013 by JazzDoc

[inkstainedruth]

I generally fill from the bottle, but if I'm traveling, or if it's a new sample, I will use a vial. If it's the former, I will refill with an eyedropper, and generally put in more than the 2-3 ml that the original sample was, or if I'm refilling after the sample has been already partially used up. This is because if I have a large nib (such as the nibs on the Konrads), I can't necessarily get it down into the ink deeply enough to cover the nib entirely, and as a consequence, don't get a complete fill.

I have a couple of copper pipe fittings that are a combination of a straight piece about 1/2" in diameter (just the right size to hold a vial) connected to a wider and heavier hex nut shape. The entire piece is probably about an inch and a half high, and the bottom part is heavy enough to make the entire piece stable. If the sample goes down too far, though, I have to hold the vial at an angle to cover the nib better.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[ISW_Kaputnik]

About holding a vial steady, I generally find that I can hold the vial in my left hand, hold the pen with a couple of fingers of my right, and operate the filling mechanism with the remaining fingers, one finger in the case of lever fillers. Another makeshift stand, though, when this doesn't work, is an old rubber tip I have for a crutch, which is just right to hold one vial.

[ac12]

When I am changing ink brand (Waterman to Cross or visa versa) but same color, I will put the new ink into a vial, so I do not contaminate the bottle. After a couple fills this way I feel any old ink is diluted enough to safely refill from the bottle.

 

I have not made a base for the vial, but that is one of my worries, tipping over the vial as I am loading ink.

So far I have been able to hold the vial and pen w/o dropping either.

But I do need to make a base for the vial, as holding the vial will soon or later result in dropping the vial or the pen.

[The Good Captain]

Sorry; no experience of phials at all. I just open a bottle and get on with it.

[Horseknitter]

I use a shot glass to hold the vile while I fill the pen. Knock on wood: it has worked perfectly for me.

[swanjun]

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

 

Sorry; no experience of phials at all. I just open a bottle and get on with it.

 

Honestly, that's what I want to keep doing. But I'm worried about contamination, especially since I have some vintage inks that would be hard to replace. (Sheaffer Burgundy, Peacock Blue, etc.)

[SeeksAdvice]

What a vile topic.

I usually don't use phials either. Only time I've used them, other than for samples, is for mixing. Never, ever mix Sei-Boku and Kiwa-Guro ... the result is ugly...

[swanjun]

It occurs to me that the vast majority of my pens (excluding a couple of lever/aerometric fillers) could be filled by syringe. Even the pistons can, 'cos they're Pelikan and TWSBI. Anyway, if I filled almost exclusively with syringe, and was careful to wash the syringe afterwards (and maybe even give it a pass with an alcohol swab)... could this help to combat contamination without actually buying dozens of vials? Would an alcohol wipe leave residue that would react unfavorably with ink the next time the syringe was used?

[saskia_madding]

I have absolutely no idea how someone with a huge ink collection would handle this vial business. I've often thought about doing it, but as my ink collection grew from a small box to a small cabinet, and then to a chest of drawers, I quickly gave up the idea.

 

I now have a pretty good idea of how to keep things under control.

 

#1. I've decided that if any ink looks really sketchy, I won't use it.

#2. If I use an ink that I think is sketchy, I'll be doing ammonia water rinses between inks for the pen.

#3. I've started doing a very thorough cleaning and bleaching of all new pens that come in, as I think my original SITB incident occurred after I got a Parker 51 that contaminated a bottle of PPE.

 

Although it has been a real pain and a bit of heartache (goodbye, bottles of PPE, Kin-mokusei, and 2 Bung Box inks that cost $40 each!!), I don't think that overall SITB is a big issue. I've been collecting ink heavily for at least 7 years and this has been my first real incident. I think if I just bleach any new pens coming in, and bleach any pens that start to look suspect, and avoid inks that look sketchy, I should be fine.

[swanjun]

Thank you, that's very reassuring. I know my collection isn't approaching yours, but it's not exactly small, either! Many of my bottles have vials already 'cos I first sampled the ink before purchase, but I counted up at least 100 that *don't*, and the thought of buying/storing more, etc. is kind of daunting.

 

Maybe if I just keep an ammonia water rinse as part of my standard regimen, I'll be okay. I've never had to bleach a pen, but probably won't be getting any new ones any time soon. (Sick kitty expenses.)

[SeeksAdvice]

Wow, over 100 bottles of ink?

Those with phenol in them I wouldn't worry about. If something does grow in them, I'd worry about the stuff. Would definitely be grounds for running away, quickly.

[oronet commander]

A very easy way to stabilize the vial is making a ball of aluminium tin foil, flattening it against the table, and pressing the vial into the ball until firmly set. One can keep the ball for the next fillings...

[ac12]

I have the solution to stabilizing a vial, and it was in front of my face all the time.

An ink well.

 

I have a couple glass ink wells with small vertical wells just a little larger than the sample vials.

The vial fits into the well with a little wiggle, but not enough to tip over.

Or I could stuff the space with tissue so the vial will not move.

Gives me a use for the ink well, other than sitting on the shelf to look at.

[stoof2010]

Yes!!!

In order to avoid contamination of ink bottles, I have seen it recommended that one instead transplant some of the ink into a vial and fill from there instead, and I am debating whether to do this myself.

 

For those of you who actually do this, what's your system like? Any tips, caveats, or links to supplies, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Yes i do this same thing for the same reason.

I heard this as well, and considering how many inks i do have, and how long most of the bottles will last i thought it would be a good idea. Especially considering what my pens come into contact with daily, i got a bunch of vials from goulet as well which cane with labels and each time i got a new ink i used an ink syringe (also from goulet) and put 5ml into the vial. Then fill from the vials. Each time a vial gets too low to fill, i syringe in more and put it to 5 ml.each time, before i fill, i inspect the ink in the vial for SITB (which is eadier than seeing into some bottles like diamine).

So far no problems. Also easier to give them a good shake before inking up especially for colors like herbin 1670 rouge hematite which must be shaken before filling.

I have a separate vial rack for my bottled ink vials so they are easier to find (once you get over 100 vials with samples it can be difficult to find what you are lookin for.

Hope this helps!!!

P.s. i also recommend giving the bottkes a good shake before syringing into the vials to be sure yiu are getting the intended cokor with all qualities i.e. herbin rouge hematite and the gokd sheen.

Edited October 22, 2013 by stoof2010

[ac12]

I have been using a glass inkwell to hold my vials for the past week, and it works just fine.

I do stuff tissue around the vial to hold it steady.

Now I don't worry about tipping the vial over and creating a mess.

 

One thing I did learn is label your vials well, and if possible color code it.

And READ the label stupid (that was me ). I accidentally loaded a pen with Cross BLACK instead of Cross BLUE ink. Luckily I had flushed the pen so there was no cross contamination of inks. But it could have happened.

 

I need to make or buy a vial holder to keep the vials organized.

[Dillo]

It occurs to me that the vast majority of my pens (excluding a couple of lever/aerometric fillers) could be filled by syringe. Even the pistons can, 'cos they're Pelikan and TWSBI. Anyway, if I filled almost exclusively with syringe, and was careful to wash the syringe afterwards (and maybe even give it a pass with an alcohol swab)... could this help to combat contamination without actually buying dozens of vials? Would an alcohol wipe leave residue that would react unfavorably with ink the next time the syringe was used?

 

Alcohol can dissolve some plastics including those of Pelikan pens. I would recommend against it. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about contamination. Most inks contain biocides that kill stuff that shouldn't be living in them. For the most part it's effective, but I've had a case where I had some growth, but that came with the ink itself, not from my pen. My ink was defective, and stuff was growing in my cartridges. I do use vials when my ink bottle is getting too empty for me to put my pen into it though. Vials are relatively cheap though. Most people who get them for the ink exchange seem to get between 30-50 at a time. Glass isn't as permeable as plastic though, so I prefer keeping my ink in the glass bottle it came in.

 

Dillon