Pilot Metropolitan Converter Question

[Ponderius]

Today I used the converter that was included with my Pilot Metropolitan for the first time and inked it up with Iroshizuku Syo-ro. I'm loving the new ink, but I noticed that the converter doesn't feel seated like a cartridge does, there's no click and it just feels somewhat loose. Is this normal? The pen is writing perfectly, I'm just wondering if this is some sort of defect...

[ac12]

It is a friction fit.

As long as you bottomed out the converter, then you are OK.

Well if you did not bottom out the converter, you will have ink leaking out from the back of the section.

 

With the cartridge, the click you hear/feel is probably the nipple on the back of the section breaking the cartridge seal.

[Ponderius]

Thanks for your advice. I haven't had any leaking, so I assume it's on correctly!

[Bookman]

The converter for the Metropolitan should be tight—fitting, Ponderius. All of mine are tight-fitting, anyway. In fact the fit is so tight I always install and remove them straight on/straight off, no twisting, as I don't want to snap off the plastic spike inside the section. If it still feels loose, I suggest it still isn't on all the way.

[Ponderius]

The converter for the Metropolitan should be tight—fitting, Ponderius. All of mine are tight-fitting, anyway. In fact the fit is so tight I always install and remove them straight on/straight off, no twisting, as I don't want to snap off the plastic spike inside the section. If it still feels loose, I suggest it still isn't on all the way.

Yes, Bookman, you're absolutely right, and learning that lesson today involved staining my fingers blue-black and losing almost an entire filling of Noodler's 54th Massachusetts. Maybe it seems common sense to the veterans on here, but to the fountain pen newbies on here such as myself, there should be an audible and tactile click when you push down the converter. If it doesn't feel seated, it isn't!!! Glad I learned this lesson for myself though, a mistake I'll never make again hahah

[triradiates]

Hey there, I'm new to fountain pens in general, and just obtained this one a few weeks ago. I initially was using the included cartridge, and it was working great. I recently ordered some of the Noodler black ink and swapped over to the converter that came with the pen. Initially it worked well, but now even a brief period of having the pen upright, such as in my breast pocket, causes the ink flow to stop when I try to use it again. I've noticed it happens even if upright for only 10-15 seconds. When I take it back out, it writes for a few strokes, with the remaining ink in the tip of the nib I assume, and then nothing. I can sometimes restart the ink flowing by tapping the nib on the paper a few times, and it writes fine until turned upright again. It may not seem like a big problem, but it's rather annoying when I use it frequently throughout the day. I never had this problem with the cartridge, even after storing the pen upright overnight. I am wondering, what can I do to fix this? Thanks in advance for any advice for a new user!

[fly_us]

Hey there, I'm new to fountain pens in general, and just obtained this one a few weeks ago. I initially was using the included cartridge, and it was working great. I recently ordered some of the Noodler black ink and swapped over to the converter that came with the pen. Initially it worked well, but now even a brief period of having the pen upright, such as in my breast pocket, causes the ink flow to stop when I try to use it again. I've noticed it happens even if upright for only 10-15 seconds. When I take it back out, it writes for a few strokes, with the remaining ink in the tip of the nib I assume, and then nothing. I can sometimes restart the ink flowing by tapping the nib on the paper a few times, and it writes fine until turned upright again. It may not seem like a big problem, but it's rather annoying when I use it frequently throughout the day. I never had this problem with the cartridge, even after storing the pen upright overnight. I am wondering, what can I do to fix this? Thanks in advance for any advice for a new user!

 

First, did you flush the feed and nib after replace the cartridge with the converter? If no, then flush it throughly few times.

 

Secondly, check did you push the converter all the way in, it sounds like the problem to me.

[triradiates]

 

First, did you flush the feed and nib after replace the cartridge with the converter? If no, then flush it throughly few times.

 

Secondly, check did you push the converter all the way in, it sounds like the problem to me.

I did not flush it when I swapped over. The converter did click into place, but I will flush and re-seat it this evening and report back. Thanks!

[triradiates]

Seems to be working great now! Thanks again!

[triradiates]

Well I tested over the weekend, and it seemed to be doing great. However, now that I'm back at work, I'm having the exact same problem again. After the pen is upright in my pocket for a bit, the ink stops flowing. I can see the tiny space between the tines of the nib that do not have ink in them after writing a few strokes. A brisk tap or two of the nib on the paper will cause the ink to suddenly fill all the way to the tip and then it writes fine. For a seemingly minor problem, it's very frustrating when I start writing and either have to stop and fiddle with my pen or just use another one altogether, if I'm in a hurry. =(

[Ponderius]

Hmmm, interesting. Maybe the problem is with your pen? I have the same pen and I keep it upright in my pocket and bag, or horizontal on my desk, and I have no problems with starting. The only time I did was with DeAtramentis Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle ink. Currently my pen is inked with Noodler's Widow Maker and I'm having no problems. What kind of ink are you using?

[fly_us]

Well I tested over the weekend, and it seemed to be doing great. However, now that I'm back at work, I'm having the exact same problem again. After the pen is upright in my pocket for a bit, the ink stops flowing. I can see the tiny space between the tines of the nib that do not have ink in them after writing a few strokes. A brisk tap or two of the nib on the paper will cause the ink to suddenly fill all the way to the tip and then it writes fine. For a seemingly minor problem, it's very frustrating when I start writing and either have to stop and fiddle with my pen or just use another one altogether, if I'm in a hurry. =(

 

It seems the only culprit left is the ink. And the only thing we can do now is trial and error. In your case i will flush the pen throughly again, then put the old ink cartrige back or try with another ink to see how the ink flow is.

[triradiates]

The ink I'm using is Noodler's Bulletproof Eel Black. The one cartridge that came with the pen I have already used up, so I can't try that one again. I hate to buy another bottle of ink just to test it out, since I have a new, essentially unused, bottle now... I'll flush the pen again tonight and see how it goes.