Recommended Fp Tools/accessories

[lynxcat]

i use the brass sheets from the Goulet kit for flossing my nib tines. i like to imagine the brass smoothing out any unevenness in the slit left over from manufacturing, even if intellectually i know that brass is much softer than steel and so can't do that. (it does its job just fine, though.)

[rtruslow]

Pentulant - Read your blog on tools and especially like the little bottles (Nalgene containers) and the pipettes!

 

Rob

[pokermon]

If you tell us what kind of pen you're using it would be easier to recommend items more specific and tailored to you. But what others have said so far about bulb syringe, loupe, and smoothing papers/buff pad is very good for the average joe to clean and re-align their own tines. Like you said you can make your own flush with 10% ammonia and a little dish detergent.

 

While an ultrasonic cleaner is a wonderful tool for cleaning it might not be something you need if your pen is not vintage and you keep up good pen hygiene(flushing in between fills). As long as you're conscious about keeping your pen clean you usually won't run into any problems.

[Tom Aquinas]

I leave tweaking nibs to those more knowledgeable than this little black duck. My tools etc are simple...good quality tissues for cleaning after filling and a good roller blotter with regularly changed good quality blotting paper.

[Paddler]

 

That is the first I have heard of that one. What all is it used for?

It is for flossing the nib slit. I think brass shim stock is way too radical for the job unless you are trying to clean out dried India ink. Don't use cotton thread; it leaves too many fibers behind.

[remaker]

100% silicone grease, bulb aspirator, blunt syringe, micromesh kit (various grits), 1.0 & 0.3 micron lapping film (mylar), brass shims (.001", .002", .003"), 10x-20x loupe (some people say with LED is better), and an ink cloth.

[rtruslow]

... but I find (especially as I age), my jeweler's visor is indispensable.

 

+1 Thanks for reminding me. I dug mine out of the back of a closet, having forgotten I even had it. Perfect for pen work and leaves both hands free! The multiple levels of magnification is a real bonus as is the ability to use both eyes at once.

[zap210]

It depends on what kind of work you want to do on your pens. A small ultrasonic cleaner is really useful for new and old cleaning and restorations. For nib grinding various grits of thin paper are necessary; 600 to 12,000. A thin sheet of rubber and some sort of section pliers (I custom ground a small vice grip) are needed. A set of small screwdrivers come in handy. Silicone grease, sacks, and a dremel also.Magnifiers help with grinding the nib shape you want. Needle nose pliers. That's about all I use nowdays.

[JesterKat]

I deal primarily with vintage lever fillers, so I do a lot of resacking and minor repair. I've found this set of flexible LED lights indispensable when checking Jbars, making sure I've gotten all of an ossified sac out, etc. I'm lucky that I have a local Harbor Freight store, or maybe unlucky since they send us "tool pron" all the time

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-flexible-shaft-led-light-95414.html

I think I got this set for a little less, but it was during one of their bigger quarterly sales. I really have to quit going over there. That's also where I got my set of picks/scrapers and a tiny, cheap ultrasonic cleaner (emphasis on CHEAP not inexpensive.)

My tool box also includes the usual micro mesh assortment, a loupe, hemostats, a long, fine pair of tweezers, and cotton swabs.

Eventually we want to get a better quality ultrasonic cleaner and a proper heat gun with controllable temps. Right after we stop falling in love with pretty celluloid, so it could be a while

Katie