Lamy Safari Al-Star Convert Rollerball To Fountain?

[sail0rm00n]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to ask this. I wanted to know if anyone's ever tried converting a rollerball to a fountain pen. It looks like it's as simple as unscrewing the rollerball portion and screwing in the fountain portion. But since I don't own a Lamy rollerball, I'm unable to try this myself.

 

Anyone try this before or heard of it being done?

 

Thanks!

Edited August 9, 2014 by sail0rm00n

[PaperDarts]

Yes - I did it a few years ago when I wanted another Silver blue Al-Star and the store had only the rollerballs in that colour. The salesperson agreed to sell me an Al-Star nib and converter, and the rollerball barrel and cap. It looks and works just fine - the only small flaw is that the rollerball barrel does not fit as smoothly to the nib section as a fountain pen barrel would, and there is no ink window. But those very small differences didn't matter to me as much as having another silver-blue Al-Star! I call it my frankenpen (affectionately).

[sail0rm00n]

Yes - I did it a few years ago when I wanted another Silver blue Al-Star and the store had only the rollerballs in that colour. The salesperson agreed to sell me an Al-Star nib and converter, and the rollerball barrel and cap. It looks and works just fine - the only small flaw is that the rollerball barrel does not fit as smoothly to the nib section as a fountain pen barrel would, and there is no ink window. But those very small differences didn't matter to me as much as having another silver-blue Al-Star! I call it my frankenpen (affectionately).

Thanks, PaperDarts, for your reply! I love the sliver blue AL-Star and that's exactly the pen I was hoping to convert, too!

[acidjuicemotel]

Bumping this for a followup question! Does anyone have more detailed information on how to make this conversion?

[H.M. Murdock]

Bumping this for a followup question! Does anyone have more detailed information on how to make this conversion?

It sounds like the grip from the fountain pen will just screw into the body of the roller ball.

 

Although this begs the question... does that mean I can actually have an eyedropper Vista?

[akmac]

Although this begs the question... does that mean I can actually have an eyedropper Vista?

Yes, although there are reportedly some additional holes that you will need to seal, even in the rollerball body.

[Algester]

You need an epoxy a fountain pen version of the safari, a roller ball barrel of the safari, silicone grease, and ink and a dropper of choice

First remove barrel from section of each pens

Second on the barrel of the roller ball version eal the holes on the end of the barrel with epoxy

Third let the epoxy cure 1 day at most

Fourth do a leak test and use the silicone grease if found neccessary

Fifth get your ink and eye dropper fill up your tank

Sixth happy writing until your pen burps out ink

Seventh refill ink when neccessary