Cross ATX feed problems

[Wizergig]

This is a new cross atx medalist with a fine nib. If I set the pen aside for any amount of time it will not start writing when I pick it up. I have to either pump the cartridge, or give the converter a twist. I have tried noodlers Bulletproof Black, Private Reserve Black Velvet, and the factory Cross cartridges. I have flushed the nib section several times with tap water. Last night I let it soak in tap water over night, and flushed it for sometime with running water. Same problem. This occurs whether the cap is on or off. Sometimes I can get it started by turning the nib over on the top, and writting a few down strokes.

 

I have cheap china pens that work every time, and this is a little frustrating. Not to mention Cross CS. Have to pay for postage, and a handling fee for warranty work.

 

Any suggestions?

[rroossinck]

Floss the nib yet? I wonder if perhaps the tines are pushed a little too tightly together and might be inhibiting ink flow?

[Wizergig]

Floss the nib yet? I wonder if perhaps the tines are pushed a little too tightly together and might be inhibiting ink flow?

 

No I haven't tried that. I did use a razor blade to make sure that there was nothing in between the tines.

[Maja]

Hi Wizergig,

I had similar problems with my Cross ATX until I fixed it myself.

 

In my pen's feed, there was a small bit of plastic that (to my eyes) didn't seem to serve any purpose other than to prevent the ink from flowing properly so I removed it carefully with the tip of a dental pick (you can try using some other instrument---it doesn't have to be the same thing as what I used). Watch your eyes though, in case the plastic breaks away quickly!

 

Also, I recall having to adjust the nib so that it was a wee closer to the feed (I ever so carefully bent the nib using my fingers). After this home surgery, the pen wrote beautifully. Oh, and previous to this, I *did* try flushing the pen's convertor and nib/feed unit with slightly soapy water and I also tried using a cartridge instead of the convertor and even widened the nib slit a bit. Nothing worked in my case until I worked on the feed.

 

P.S.

Floss the nib yet? I wonder if perhaps the tines are pushed a little too tightly together and might be inhibiting ink flow?

 

No I haven't tried that. I did use a razor blade to make sure that there was nothing in between the tines.

 

 

I just wanted to add a slight word of caution re: using a razor blade as it might damage the tines. I have used a strip of developed film in order to slightly widen the tines on my ATX. I know some people use razor blades or knives to work on tines, but I think it's better to be safe and use something potentially less-damaging first. Ideally, the narrower the tool used, the safer it is for the tines. Oh, I also used a piece of vellum and that worked ok, too.

Edited July 8, 2007 by Maja

[Maja]

One more thing:

There is a chance that your convertor has (what Wim here on FPN calls) "Sticky Convertor Syndrome" If switching to a cartridge works, then you know the convertor is the culprit. I don't know if there are other convertors that fit the ATX (I traded my ATX pen away a few months ago) but some people have dipped a toothpick in some liquid soap and then dipped it into the (full) convertor, to provide the ink inside with some soap to break the surface tension.