Jinhao 159 Filling Problem (Big Spill!)

[NewPenMan]

I was unable to get the 159 to draw ink up from the ink pot (tip well submerged) so tried my syringe + blunt needle and the ink ran out the top of the converter where the screw mechanism is!

 

do I completely mis-undertstand how that plunger/screw thing works? Maybe it's the hole that enables air to replace ink as it's used? Much different than what's in the ahab.

 

Anyway, the 159 is one of my favorite pens and would like to get it inked up again and ready for service...

 

thank you for any suggestions about this.

 

npm

[KBeezie]

It's possible that like a lot of Chinese converters that it's not properly sealed. The gasket in the piston converter may need to be re-greased or the whole converter itself replaced. IF it's not sealed it's not going to draw up ink, and it's not going to hold ink with air coming in from both directions.

 

Easiest bet, assuming it's just the converter being a problem, would be to replace it.

 

If you already have a syringe, you could just simply syringe fill a empty cartridge, which I've done with a large waterman cartridge in my 159.

 

You could try unscrewing the converter, cleaning it out, applying some silicone grease to the lip of the gasket, and around the threads, then re-assembling it again, but I would just replace it personally.

Edited September 13, 2014 by KBeezie

[WateryFlow]

Maybe it needs a firmer push in because even though the Jinhaos all take a standard converter I've noticed that even though one or two converters may fits one pen it may not fit another.

The converters seem to be the weakest link in the Chinese pens I own

 

Hope you get it sorted!

Edited September 13, 2014 by WateryFlow

[mhguda]

One trick that often works is to detach the converter from the pen - IIRC with the Jinhao `59 it just pulls out? - and fill it directly from the ink bottle or vial. The piston should be all the way to the opening in the beginning position; just turn to pull the piston up and the ink should follow - simple physics. Then push back into your pen, prime the feed by giving a few turns of the converter screw the other direction, until you see the ink come into the feed, and you should be good to go. Often with these big nibs it's difficult to figure out how far under the surface of the ink you should hold them for the converter to work properly.

Good luck, and let us know how you solved your problem....

[KBeezie]

One trick that often works is to detach the converter from the pen - IIRC with the Jinhao `59 it just pulls out? - and fill it directly from the ink bottle or vial. The piston should be all the way to the opening in the beginning position; just turn to pull the piston up and the ink should follow - simple physics. Then push back into your pen, prime the feed by giving a few turns of the converter screw the other direction, until you see the ink come into the feed, and you should be good to go. Often with these big nibs it's difficult to figure out how far under the surface of the ink you should hold them for the converter to work properly.

Good luck, and let us know how you solved your problem....

 

Except if the ink is falling down into the 'screw' area of the twist portion, it's not sealed. If it won't take up even by itself and needs a syringe to fill, it's not sealed.

[Sasha Royale]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5pcs-Jinhao-Fountain-Pen-Ink-Converters-Ink-/141405354766?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20ec6a7b0e

 

When the fun of tinkering ends, converters for the Jinhao are very inexpensive.

[KBeezie]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5pcs-Jinhao-Fountain-Pen-Ink-Converters-Ink-/141405354766?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20ec6a7b0e

 

When the fun of tinkering ends, converters for the Jinhao are very inexpensive.

 

Depends on where the bidding goes, if it gets over $5 you could get a higher grade one for around that price. For example this Schmidt one holds a little more ink than what you typically find with some of the Chinese models (a little more solid feeling too).

 

It's just generally my feeling that if you're having problems with the converter, and are not going to take steps for self-repair, you'd be shooting yourself to try to go for ultra-cheap/inexpensive to replace it. Though I know the pen probably cost just as much by itself, I look at those Jinhaos as sort of a "Barebone" system, you get the weight/girth/shape/style you want, but then swap out the weak points like the nib and converter (The feed is sort of a weak point too, but not quite as bad as the nib and converter depending on quality control).

[NewPenMan]

One trick that often works is to detach the converter from the pen - IIRC with the Jinhao `59 it just pulls out? - and fill it directly from the ink bottle or vial. The piston should be all the way to the opening in the beginning position; just turn to pull the piston up and the ink should follow - simple physics. Then push back into your pen, prime the feed by giving a few turns of the converter screw the other direction, until you see the ink come into the feed, and you should be good to go. Often with these big nibs it's difficult to figure out how far under the surface of the ink you should hold them for the converter to work properly.

Good luck, and let us know how you solved your problem....

Actually...I think I might have filled it this way once...I'll have to give that a try..thank you! I don't want to give up on this pen..

 

I don't suppose 159s can be turned into eyedroppers? metal threads and all?

[KBeezie]

Actually...I think I might have filled it this way once...I'll have to give that a try..thank you! I don't want to give up on this pen..

 

I don't suppose 159s can be turned into eyedroppers? metal threads and all?

 

Nope, would be very difficult and annoying to clean too, and it's not completely sealed. And ideally you want a plastic barrel/section that has no cuts/holes/bands/etc for eye drop filling. The materials used for the 159 would probably corrode really fast if used as an eye dropper even if you did seal up all the loose spots letting in air.

 

It'd be best to just syringe fill a empty cartridge (like a large waterman cartridge which holds close to 1.4-1.5ml of ink) than to go that route.

Edited September 14, 2014 by KBeezie

[NewPenMan]

Here's a bit of new data for all the Jinhao 159 fans...I decided to tear down the pen to gently clean it..took apart the converter and the little rubber donut/gasket looks like mice have been nibbling on it.

 

What could occur to that plunger to cause it to..basically to break down?

 

meanwhile, I know I have a waterman refill cartridge..unopened...hoping it fits the Jinhao...

[NewPenMan]

also, the actual plastic ink reservoir itself seems OK..would it be silly to try to seal the other end to produce, basically, a cartridge which I'd fill with syringe?

 

Just find some kind of stopper, or maybe adhesive + stopper combo to seal off that end?

[KBeezie]

Here's a bit of new data for all the Jinhao 159 fans...I decided to tear down the pen to gently clean it..took apart the converter and the little rubber donut/gasket looks like mice have been nibbling on it.

 

What could occur to that plunger to cause it to..basically to break down?

 

meanwhile, I know I have a waterman refill cartridge..unopened...hoping it fits the Jinhao...

 

Any number of things.

 

1) poor quality control of the gaskets themselves

2) dirt or grit got caught in the converter (manufacturing debris), which can be possible if you never cleaned it out the first time before using it.

3) You didn't flush/clean the pen properly between inks, and the left-over ink reacted with the new ink to eat away the gasket, which is possible especially of rubbers/latex.

 

I'd ditch the converter and just either syringe fill an ACTUAL empty cartridge, or buy a new converter. Trying to jerry rig the existing converter is going to be a waste of time and effort especially when you can get a new converter or pack of cartridges for less than $2-3 in most cases.

 

Waterman cartridges are standard international. I had an 8 pack of the "large" ones which are like twice the length, they fit the Jinhao just fine since it's standard international as well.

Edited September 14, 2014 by KBeezie

[NewPenMan]

 

Any number of things.

 

1) poor quality control of the gaskets themselves

2) dirt or grit got caught in the converter (manufacturing debris), which can be possible if you never cleaned it out the first time before using it.

3) You didn't flush/clean the pen properly between inks, and the left-over ink reacted with the new ink to eat away the gasket, which is possible especially of rubbers/latex.

 

I'd ditch the converter and just either syringe fill an ACTUAL empty cartridge, or buy a new converter. Trying to jerry rig the existing converter is going to be a waste of time and effort especially when you can get a new converter or pack of cartridges for less than $2-3 in most cases.

 

Waterman cartridges are standard international. I had an 8 pack of the "large" ones which are like twice the length, they fit the Jinhao just fine since it's standard international as well.

Ah...so when you say "large" you are referring to length, not gauge or diameter?

 

I know I have a waterman around here because my Phileas came with a converter and I never used the cartridge and kept the original box and cartridge that came with the pen...

 

now to find it and put the 159 back into service..

 

thank you!

[mhguda]

I agree with KBeezie here: either buy a new converter - the standard type; I buy Schmidt converters in 3-packs at Amazon - or just stick a standard international cartridge in. I don't remember if the barrel is actually long enough to take a Long one, which has slightly over twice the capacity of the short international standard cartridge. That's a nice big fill of ink. And you can refill them with a syringe, if you must.

[NewPenMan]

Well, good news..I managed to locate my Waterman Phileas box and inside was the cartridge I never used. Popped it right into the Jinhao 159 and am happily writing with it now.

 

Weird..I bought some spare converters..Jinhao brand, but next time I get some pen stuff, sounds like I ought to get a Schmidt instead..

 

I assume I can keep using this long cartridge until the cows come home? And yes, the long cartridge fits the Jinhao 159 no problem.

 

This is a great moment in fountain pens for me...

 

Thank you for the advice and suggestions!

 

npm

[KBeezie]

Ah...so when you say "large" you are referring to length, not gauge or diameter?

 

I know I have a waterman around here because my Phileas came with a converter and I never used the cartridge and kept the original box and cartridge that came with the pen...

 

now to find it and put the 159 back into service..

 

thank you!

 

Yes length.

 

Like shown here when I re-filled a waterman large with some PR Spearmint.

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/Jinhao_599M_Green/disassembled.jpg

 

Not all pens can take the extra length, but the 599, X750, X450, 159, etc etc can.

 

The only annoyance with the large ones is if I'm trying to get ink back out of them, the syringe needle doesn't go down quite far enough. But least they're not too hard to flush with water using the syringe to prep it for a new ink.

 

If you don't make a habit of "squeezing" the cartridges to force ink, then they should last quite a while.

Edited September 14, 2014 by KBeezie

[Zookie]

I just received my first Jinhao 159. It's quite impressive.

I did note, however, upon my first inspection, that the top end of the converter wasn't screwed on completely.

It's threaded so I just tightened it up. I'll know if it's ok when I ink it up.

[NewPenMan]

my experience with the 159's converter is about the same..that thing always gets loose, but it seemed to not need to be tight after you are done pulling up ink, as memory serves.. screwing it clockwise pushed the piston down; counterclockwise pulls it up; and once inked, it seemed like the vacuum pressure kept the parts in place and all is well...up until it leaked out all my ink!

 

But the Jinhao 159 is a very good writing pen..I like the feel, both holding/writing and the feel at the nib...I am very happy to have that pen.

[KBeezie]

I just received my first Jinhao 159. It's quite impressive.

I did note, however, upon my first inspection, that the top end of the converter wasn't screwed on completely.

It's threaded so I just tightened it up. I'll know if it's ok when I ink it up.

 

Top end? Are they making the Jinhao 159 converters different now?

 

#7 is the one that came with my Jinhao 159.

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/shares/converters_sep_2014.jpg

 

Or you talking bout the band in the middle that was unscrewed from each other, for me if I have issues with the converter appearing to be loose or not air tight I go ahead and unscrew it, take it apart, clean it a little, then apply silicone grease to the lip of the plunger and around the screw threads before re-attaching. Seems to do the trick on the real cheap chinese converters.

[NewPenMan]

 

Top end? Are they making the Jinhao 159 converters different now?

 

#7 is the one that came with my Jinhao 159.

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/shares/converters_sep_2014.jpg

 

Or you talking bout the band in the middle that was unscrewed from each other, for me if I have issues with the converter appearing to be loose or not air tight I go ahead and unscrew it, take it apart, clean it a little, then apply silicone grease to the lip of the plunger and around the screw threads before re-attaching. Seems to do the trick on the real cheap chinese converters.

#7 in your photo is what I have, too...good tip to know about where you apply silicone grease to help the mechanism...when this cartridge is empty, I might try one of the other jinhao 159 converters I have as spare whose plunger gasket is in good shape...