International Short Cartridges With Agitators

[jaysongo]

I have a few Kaweco Sports, which I usually fill by syringing ink into an empty short international cartridge. It works great for me except that I do find that the pen will go dry at times as the ink hangs up at the end of the cartridge, despite the presence of a ball agitator. So far I've used Monteverde and Kaweco cartridges for this purpose; aside from the Kaweco having an embossed logo, they're identical.

My question is whether there is a standard international short cartridge with a agitator that works well, or some kind of mechanism that prevents hang-ups (like how Pilot cartridges have flutes down the insides),

[Algester]

there's a possibility that even the tiny agitator doesnt work well enough but that also depends on the ink if the ink is more free flowing there's less problem of this happening but thicker and more "viscous" inks will have a harder time because probably the tiny ball cant get through the ink's surface tension and inevitably gets stuck in the ink

and I dont think we can get Monteverde inks freely in the philippines so I'm basing my observation in the kaweco cartridge

Edited June 28, 2015 by Algester

[jaysongo]

there's a possibility that even the tiny agitator doesnt work well enough but that also depends on the ink if the ink is more free flowing there's less problem of this happening but thicker and more "viscous" inks will have a harder time because probably the tiny ball cant get through the ink's surface tension and inevitably gets stuck in the ink

and I dont think we can get Monteverde inks freely in the philippines so I'm basing my observation in the kaweco cartridge

 

I know that Monteverde inks have added lubricants so it would flow smoother. Perhaps Kaweco ink has similar properties where the included ball agitator would be sufficient.

[Algester]

I know that Monteverde inks have added lubricants so it would flow smoother. Perhaps Kaweco ink has similar properties where the included ball agitator would be sufficient.

ask the FPN-P facebook maybe they have brighter ideas... it may come close to having a modified converter with a sac and a slightly larger glass bead inside the cartridge/converter

but I'm actually more trusting with the Pilot Iroshizuku inks inside cartridges for free flow because to me more flow doesnt equate to free flow... at least I like the aspect of seeing the ink swirl inside the converter thats how I'am assured my C/C pens work without stopping unless Ido something stupid

Edited June 28, 2015 by Algester

[tinkerteacher]

You could probably make your very own international short cartridge ink agitator easy enough.

 

It only has to be made of something that won't chemical react with the ink (like glass) and small enough to fit inside the cartridge, but not big enough to get suck up into and block the feed.

 

A few tiny rounded off glass chips would do the trick nicely I would think. Or maybe aquarium gravel of the right size.

[ac12]

What is the ball made of?

A plastic ball does not have enough mass to break through the surface tension. The plastic balls in my converters just get stuck in the ink in the back of the converter. IMHO, it really needs to be something like stainless steel.

 

In the case of a cartridge, all I can suggest is a very short rod of stainless steel, or maybe brass.

Or a stainless steel ball, small enough to fit through the front of the cartridge.

[jaysongo]

The balls in all the cartridges I've used have all been plastic. I once removed a ball from a Sheaffer cartridge to use in a converter, but it had zero effect. The problem with putting something into the opening of a international converter is that the hole is only 2mm wide and so it would have to be smaller still than that.

[ac12]

 

 

 

The problem with putting something into the opening of a international converter is that the hole is only 2mm wide and so it would have to be smaller still than that.

 

Yup, that is what I said, "a very short rod of stainless steel, or maybe brass.

Or a stainless steel ball, small enough to fit through the front of the cartridge."

 

As the diameter of the ball get smaller, you have less mass, so the other option, is to use a very short rod. The rod can be longer, to make up for the smaller diameter to fit through the front of the cartridge. But both ends of the rod need to be deburred and rounded off, so it won't hang up inside the cartridge. You may have to experiement with the length, to see what length works, without hanging up.

 

[jaysongo]

I think I might just stick to refilling the cartridges I have than have to worry about modifying cartridges with bits and pieces of something or another. It's not so big a deal that it'll put me off using the pen. A tap or two usually does the trick to move the ink to the right end. I guess the answer to my original question is that there are no short international cartridges that won't have this problem.