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Brass shims -- how thick?


Paul-in-SF

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I was reading an old topic from 2012 that included a discussion about the thickness of brass shims (or other tools used for nib flossing, like brass feeler gauges). The consensus in that thread seemed to be that brass shim material should be a maximum of .002 inches (which is about .05 mm). I am wondering if that is still the consensus (not that nib materials have changed so much since then, but opinions and practices might have changed). 

 

I have a few brass shims, some I got from Goulet who says in their website that they are .002 inches, and some others that I bought somewhere else that are definitely thicker (my micrometer measures them at .08 mm which is about .0032 inches). I bought a set of brass feeler gauges, but the .05 mm gauge feels much flimsier than the .002 inch shim. Maybe it's the long narrow shape that makes it feel that way, I don't know.

 

Anyway, is .002 inches or .05 mm still the maximum advised shim thickness for flossing nibs? 

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Typical adjustment for a  nib is a loose fit with 0.001", and some resistance at 0.002"  I wouldn't go beyond 0.002" for flossing.

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5 hours ago, Ron Z said:

Typical adjustment for a  nib is a loose fit with 0.001", and some resistance at 0.002"  I wouldn't go beyond 0.002" for flossing.

Visions of Frank gapping a nib with a pocket knife...

San Francisco International Pen Show - The next “Funnest Pen Show” is on schedule for August 23-24-25, 2024.  Watch the show website for registration details. 
 

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12 hours ago, FarmBoy said:

Visions of Frank gapping a nib with a pocket knife...

:yikes:

 

I disagreed with Frank on a lot of things.

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I can't do half the things in Da Book, and should'nt do the other half.  But it got me started, and ready for Marshall and Oldfield.

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