Pilot Vanishing Point - Mechanism

[GastroNerd]

I recently received a pilot vanishing point from a friend. Without a converter or cartridge, the mechanism works fine.

 

However, when I try to put an official pilot CON-40 converter in, or a pilot IC-100 ink cartridge, the pen will close together but the mechanism doesn't 'click'. All that happens is the nib moves with the button press but doesn't stay in place.

 

What on earth is going on? I am getting very frustrated with this

Edited January 28, 2019 by GastroNerd

[graystranger]

I don't understand why the mechanism doesn't work with the Con-40 converter unless you have not seated the converter to its full depth in the barrel. If it is seated and the mechanism doesn't click then something is wrong with the mechanism. Did it work for your friend?

 

However, when you use a cartridge in these pens there is a metal cartridge cap that fits over the cartridge, slipping up on the nib assembly. This cap is needed to maintain the proper length of the nib assembly.

 

The overall length of nib assembly with the converter or the cartridge has to be a precise length. This cap makes sure that the assembly with cartridge is at the exact length for the mechanism. Too long and the nib assembly will keep the gate slightly open letting the nib dry out. Too short and it may not extend properly. I don't know if this has any affect on the mechanism "clicking".

 

You day it does not click, but you don't say any more. Does the nib extend properly? Does it retract properly? If it does not "click" in position there is something wrong with the mechanism itself. You say that the mechanism works fine, but that only means that the button goes in and out.

 

Let me know if this helps. Here is a link to more information about these caps:

 

https://www.gouletpens.com/products/pilot-vanishing-point-metal-cartridge-cap?variant=11884758073387

Edited January 28, 2019 by graystranger

[Dr.Grace]

graystranger is right, and I’d only add that you need to push the converter in with a surprising amount of force to seat it completely.

[GastroNerd]

Hmm, so on further investigation it appears there is a fault with the nib unit. The plastic parts near the nib have broken and are stopping the converter going in further.

 

What a shame.

[BaronWulfraed]

Pardon? The only "plastic parts near the nib" is the exposed part of the feed, and that is nearly a whole inch from where the converter seats. The only way I can visualize it blocking the converter would be if someone mistreated the nib unit so much that the nib and feed both have been forced into the body of the unit.

 

How does yours compare to the images at https://www.google.com/search?q=pilot+vanishing+point+nib&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDm_aUqpHgAhVIllQKHWFwBlQQ7Al6BAgEEA8&biw=1247&bih=990

[Dr.Grace]

Too bad. But you can buy a new nib unit from various places.

[PAKMAN]

New replacement nib units can be had for about $75 or less depending on the source.

[GastroNerd]

Pardon? The only "plastic parts near the nib" is the exposed part of the feed, and that is nearly a whole inch from where the converter seats. The only way I can visualize it blocking the converter would be if someone mistreated the nib unit so much that the nib and feed both have been forced into the body of the unit.

 

How does yours compare to the images at https://www.google.com/search?q=pilot+vanishing+point+nib&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDm_aUqpHgAhVIllQKHWFwBlQQ7Al6BAgEEA8&biw=1247&bih=990

When you look internally down the nib unit, the plastic 'parts' at the distal end are broken. I fished out bits of plastic. In any event I have sourced a replacement for ~£40.

[BaronWulfraed]

Would that be what I'd call the "nipple" on which the converter/cartridge is meant to fit? Pilot nipples are "stepped" (side view in ASCII art)

 

<nib=========---

 

== is feed and full nipple, -- is the extension

 

being a cylinder surrounding the end of the feed, and then half the cylinder is cut-away to extend into a cartridge -- the half-cylinder extension is the part the flips the rubber disk that seals cartridges.

 

Note: I just looked at three nib units -- the nipple/extension is not positioned in the same orientation relative to the nib... Looking deeper there seem to be two wings at the very base for some tool to fit, likely to screw the nipple in/out.

[GastroNerd]

Would that be what I'd call the "nipple" on which the converter/cartridge is meant to fit? Pilot nipples are "stepped" (side view in ASCII art)

 

<nib=========---

 

== is feed and full nipple, -- is the extension

 

being a cylinder surrounding the end of the feed, and then half the cylinder is cut-away to extend into a cartridge -- the half-cylinder extension is the part the flips the rubber disk that seals cartridges.

 

Note: I just looked at three nib units -- the nipple/extension is not positioned in the same orientation relative to the nib... Looking deeper there seem to be two wings at the very base for some tool to fit, likely to screw the nipple in/out.

You have put in to words that which I was unable to. The 'nipple' is broken in to many pieces. There is definitely something sinister going on down there, I think a previous owner might have been trying to jam a unsuitable converter or something down there. The person who have it me knows pretty much nothing about FPs so who knows.

[BaronWulfraed]

If it is just the extension, a (proper) converter should still fit (once the residue is picked out). A cartridge, however, would never "open".

 

If it is broken around the feed core, I'm afraid the only viable solution would be to purchase a new nib/section unit. At least those /are/ available.

[GastroNerd]

So I just bought a new unit in the end

[Donald2]

Gastronerd,

Are you a gastroenterologist?

[GastroNerd]

Gastronerd,

Are you a gastroenterologist?

I am in the final year of my medical degree in the UK (MD equivalent) and have a PhD in molecular gastroenterology. I hope to specialise in gastroenterology.