Two-Tone Nib Swap On Twsbi 580?

[TeaHive]

I'm thinking of getting a TWSBI 580 USA in the near future from Goulet, and would like to put a two-tone steel nib in, because it tickles my sense of aesthetic desire.

 

I hear tell the 540 nibs were size five, but that TWSBI is switching/has switched to JoWo nibs. Are they still size #5 or are they #6's now? Size #6 seems more common for JoWo, so I thought I'd ask that first.

 

Second, if indeed they are still size #5 (which seems to be the case as far as I know), would an Edison #5 nib fit, or are they not quite the right size?

 

HALP!

[Jamerelbe]

The 580s still definitely use a #5 nib, though made by JoWo - so a #6 JoWo nib won't fit. The only nib I've tried swapping in was a Fountain Pen Revolution #5 nib - though I think their #5.5 nibs (so called) may be a better fit. But being a fairly standard sized feed, I think a fair few other nib sizes may also fit. FYI, you could check out Tom Hall's blog, where he records his own experimentation and provides a few links at http://www.penucopia.com/twsbi-its-all-about-the-ecosystem/). Or you could try emailing / 'chatting' online with the folks at Goulet Pens, and see if they're able to advise you directly.

[TeaHive]

Thanks for the quick reply, and the information! That does knock off half the problem.

[TeaHive]

I guess I didn't dig deep enough! Edison #5 nib units, collar and all, will go into a TWSBI 580.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/260156-twsbi-580-woes/?p=2890561

 

Whoot! Now if only TWSBI would just offer two-tone steel nibs themselves.

[Jamerelbe]

I guess I didn't dig deep enough! Edison #5 nib units, collar and all, will go into a TWSBI 580.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/260156-twsbi-580-woes/?p=2890561

 

Whoot! Now if only TWSBI would just offer two-tone steel nibs themselves.

 

I'm a little surprised to hear that - though I'd be delighted to know it's true! If you purchase, can you post here to let us know how you go?

[TeaHive]

If I do indeed purchase, I will most definitely share some photos!

[Jamerelbe]

If I do indeed purchase, I will most definitely share some photos!

 

Good-o, thanks for that - I have to confess I'm a little sceptical, but never having tried it (I have plenty of TWSBI nib units, but no Edisons to swap in) I can neither confirm or deny!

[TeaHive]

So much for near future. I decided to just go ahead and buy it last night after all. xD So... whenever the pen and nib arrive from Goulet, I'll share what I find out!

[EricTheRed]

TeaHive - You have a great idea, I also greatly prefer two tone nibs. Looking forward to your hoped for success!

[TeaHive]

My pen and Edison nib came in today! Here's what I've discovered so far:

 

1. Sadly, the whole Edison nib unit does not fit correctly, because--while it does screw in just fine--it doesn't have the notches in it to fit in the top of the section like TWSBI's nib collar does. Thus, the section kind of spins freely even with the nib unit screwed in firmly to where it connects to the barrel.
2. The nib itself pulls out and fits into the TWSBI collar with the TWSBI feed. The Edison feed inside the TWSBI collar is a bit of a loose fit, and it's easy to push the nib in too far.
3. With the Edison nib/TWSBI feed-and-collar setup, it writes well after just inking it, but there is a gap between the TWSBI feed and the Edison nib, so they don't sit flush, and the ink dries up enough to make it a hard start after about 20 minutes or so. I hate to think of what it would be like overnight.

 

BOOOOO. If I can figure out a way to set the feed and nib together correctly, it would be perfect. Because the color combination of the clear/red/blue of the pen with the two-tone steel is scrumptious! And the Edison nib (EF) is a smooth writer. Though certainly not as smooth as the broad TWSBI nib. That thing is juicy.

[tinkerteacher]

My pen and Edison nib came in today! Here's what I've discovered so far:

 

 

• Sadly, the whole Edison nib unit does not fit correctly, because--while it does screw in just fine--it doesn't have the notches in it to fit in the top of the section like TWSBI's nib collar does. Thus, the section kind of spins freely even with the nib unit screwed in firmly to where it connects to the barrel.
• The nib itself pulls out and fits into the TWSBI collar with the TWSBI feed. The Edison feed inside the TWSBI collar is a bit of a loose fit, and it's easy to push the nib in too far.
• With the Edison nib/TWSBI feed-and-collar setup, it writes well after just inking it, but there is a gap between the TWSBI feed and the Edison nib, so they don't sit flush, and the ink dries up enough to make it a hard start after about 20 minutes or so. I hate to think of what it would be like overnight.

BOOOOO. If I can figure out a way to set the feed and nib together correctly, it would be perfect. Because the color combination of the clear/red/blue of the pen with the two-tone steel is scrumptious! And the Edison nib (EF) is a smooth writer. Though certainly not as smooth as the broad TWSBI nib. That thing is juicy.

Heat.

 

You can get heat set the TWSBI feed to different shapes using hot water. NOT boiling water, but microwaved hot water. Dunk the sucker in a cup of 'nuked water. It should turn nice and pliable, and then you should be able to re-shape so it fits the Edison nib exactly.

[TeaHive]

Yup! I dug around the forums a bit and found out about the heat-setting with water. My feed is rather stubborn and didn't become too pliable, but I did get it to close most of the gap. It's odd, but I noticed this on a few of my pens: the feed's tip will rest flush against the front of the nib, but on some of the models, I can look up from the underside and there will be a gap where I can see light coming through the breather hole up top.

 

But they write just fine, and don't dry out, just like the pens where the nib sits along the whole top of the feed.

 

So, I got the tip of the feed to touch the Edison nib on this pen, and after an hour of letting it sit capped, it started right away and wrote nicely. I'll have to see how it does after sitting overnight to claim true success!

[Jamerelbe]

Yup! I dug around the forums a bit and found out about the heat-setting with water. My feed is rather stubborn and didn't become too pliable, but I did get it to close most of the gap. It's odd, but I noticed this on a few of my pens: the feed's tip will rest flush against the front of the nib, but on some of the models, I can look up from the underside and there will be a gap where I can see light coming through the breather hole up top.

 

But they write just fine, and don't dry out, just like the pens where the nib sits along the whole top of the feed.

 

So, I got the tip of the feed to touch the Edison nib on this pen, and after an hour of letting it sit capped, it started right away and wrote nicely. I'll have to see how it does after sitting overnight to claim true success!

 

Sorry to hear you had some trouble, but I'm not surprised that the nib assemblies were not interchangeable - just eyeballing then Edison nib unit (on the Goulet Pens website) I had some doubts. I'm glad to hear that you've managed to get the Edison nib to fit, though - hope that continues to work out for you!

[TeaHive]

I hope so too! I'll get some pictures up as well when I get the chance. Cloudy days don't make for great photography when you don't have the best camera.

[tinkerteacher]

Glad I could help. Let us know how it goes.

 

I've been wanting to put a Pilot #5 nib on one of my Minis, but, as I don't have any extra #5 nibs, it would mean sidelining my Custom 74. Not yet.

[TeaHive]

It looks like a Pilot Penmanship nib is about a size 5. Hmmm... Might have to experiment more, because I LOVE that nib, but dislike having a pen without a clip, and I'm not fond of the proprietary cartridge. Perhaps a TWSBI Mini will fit the bill for that nib, hah!

[tinkerteacher]

Not really sure if a Penmanship Metro/Pluminix/MR/Cocoon nib would work, isn't to short length wise to fit the TWSBI feed?

 

The TWSBI Mini Nib is, as I understand it, a shruken down #6, straddling the line between a 6 and a 5.

[TeaHive]

Must investigate further! My Penmanship is inked for drawing right now, so it'll be awhile before I can pull the nib to check. Tinkering is always fun, though, so I look forward to it!

[Jamerelbe]

Not really sure if a Penmanship Metro/Pluminix/MR/Cocoon nib would work, isn't to short length wise to fit the TWSBI feed?

 

The TWSBI Mini Nib is, as I understand it, a shruken down #6, straddling the line between a 6 and a 5.

 

Nope, the TWSBI 580 is a #5, and the Mini is a "shrunken down" #5. I've tried the #5 nibs from Fountain Pen Revolution in my 580, but not my Mini - they wrapped nicely around the feed, but, being a little shorter, they didn't seat as far into the feed assembly. So while it worked fine, I'd have been a bit concerned about the nib being a little more prone to 'slippage'...

 

Never tried fitting the Pilot nibs though...

Edited March 24, 2015 by Jamerelbe

[tinkerteacher]

 

Nope, the TWSBI 580 is a #5, and the Mini is a "shrunken down" #5. I've tried the #5 nibs from Fountain Pen Revolution in my 580, but not my Mini - they wrapped nicely around the feed, but, being a little shorter, they didn't seat as far into the feed assembly. So while it worked fine, I'd have been a bit concerned about the nib being a little more prone to 'slippage'...

 

Never tried fitting the Pilot nibs though...

 

Ah, that's it! A shruken down #5, not #6.

 

Thanks for setting me straight.