Can you fill a converter with a syringe, just like a empty cart?

[djmaher]

Hi all,

 

I have a new Pilot Prera, with a CON-50 converter.

 

Can I fill it just like an empty cart, with a syringe?

 

Any special care I need to take?

 

I have an 18 gauge syringe, with a few Noodlers samples. The pen has an F nib. and has never been inked.

 

I intend to wash, soak and dry it today. Is that the proper thing to do?

 

Ive never filled a cart or a converter with a syringe before, so I dont want to screw up a new pen and converter.

 

I saw the video posted here a few days ago, so I have a general idea what Im doing,

 

but any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Thanks for all of your help!

 

D

[Rapt]

Of course you can.

 

Just makes sure its clean, and the piston is fully retracted. Clean any ink off the outside before putting in the pen..

Edited March 14, 2008 by Rapt

[Firefyter-Emt]

"IF" you are carefull, you can do this to a lever filler too. Just takes a steady hand to slowly lower the lever while "feeding" the ink into the feeder.

[PolarMoonman]

I am definitely going to do this, I'm so sick of the mess and hand washing with ammonia.....

Edited January 13, 2013 by ParkersandPilots

[Brian C]

What's the point of using a converter then? Eventually it will wear out from being removed from the nib unit. Why not just use cheaper and, usually, higher capacity cartridges?

[lapis]

I prefer converters. I never use cartridges. IMO converters are easier to clean and easier to fill. Of course, if you like the disposableness of cartridges, then do go ahead!.

 

Mike

[ethernautrix]

Are you asking if the needle will fit into the converter the same as it will fit into the cartridge? Or are you asking if there is some kind of immutable law that prevents you from filling the converter the same as you would refill an empty cartridge?

 

I do both, according to my whim. No problems so far. It's my favorite filling method.

[mrcharlie]

I prefer converters. I never use cartridges. IMO converters are easier to clean and easier to fill. Of course, if you like the disposableness of cartridges, then do go ahead!

 

In your reply, you seem to have missed that the question being asked/point being made was why use a converter if you are going to fill it with a syringe. The only benefit I can think of is perhaps you already have a converter, and you don't have at least one cartridge, or at least not one that is empty.

[ethernautrix]

I prefer converters. I never use cartridges. IMO converters are easier to clean and easier to fill. Of course, if you like the disposableness of cartridges, then do go ahead!

 

In your reply, you seem to have missed that the question being asked/point being made was why use a converter if you are going to fill it with a syringe. The only benefit I can think of is perhaps you already have a converter, and you don't have at least one cartridge, or at least not one that is empty.

 

Not "if," but "can?" Not "what's the point/benefit," but "how?"

 

 

Can I fill it just like an empty cart, with a syringe?

Any special care I need to take?

 

 

The answer is of course you can fill your converter using a syringe. Use the usual care as if you were going to fill an empty cartridge with a syringe. It's really the same thing. Make sure the converter is empty and the piston screwed back to allow for a full-capacity fill.

Edited January 13, 2013 by ethernautrix

[swanjun]

In your reply, you seem to have missed that the question being asked/point being made was why use a converter if you are going to fill it with a syringe. The only benefit I can think of is perhaps you already have a converter, and you don't have at least one cartridge, or at least not one that is empty.

 

I have done this before when the following apply:

 

* I have a pen that I have a converter for but not proprietary cartridges for (like my Lamy Safari).

 

* and I want to get ink out of a sample vial I've used once previously

 

* and there's no way in heck I'm going to be able to immerse the nib in the amount of ink remaining.

 

No carts to fill with syringe = filling the converter with a syringe.

[bbwriter]

After reattaching the converter to the nib I hold the nib/converter with the nib up and slowly twist/push the plunger to get any air out of the converter and nib section. When a small amount of ink appears behind the nib I turn the nib down over a cloth/kleenex/paper towel and make a small final twist/push to sqeeeze out a small drop of ink. The pen should be ready to write with minimal fuss.

 

(Edited for spelling and wording)

Edited January 14, 2013 by bbwriter

[lapis]

Okay, it's like this (about me)... I don't like cartridges but I do like converters. I have dozens of various converters but even more cartridges. The latter are/were gifts from friends, stores, online sellers. Sooo.... when I get a cartridge, I shove a syringe needle (connected to a 1, 2, or 5-ml syringe, of course) into the cartridge, extract the ink, and inject it into a converter, just like I would (if I ever did want to) using a cartridge.

Orrr.... if I want to make a mix, I inject it into a 1.5 or 2-ml "medical-vessel" vial. I.e., my answer to the original question was "Yes".

What seems to have been the problem?

 

Mike

[airborne18th]

There is such a negative vibe in this thread. This board has such a postive energy field, and the negativity in this thread is constricting that positve energy from flowing though my internet connection.

[Sasha Royale]

Yes, you can inject bottle ink into cartridges and into converters.

Two warnings >>>>

1. Fill slowly. Capacity is deceptively small. Filling too fast

will cause ink to eject through the opening, making a mess.

2. Every time that I have stabbed myself with a syringe needle,

it has hurt a lot.

Can't say which of the above errors made me feel more foolish.

[mAnuscript69]

I'd like to add that while you can fill most converters with a syringe, don't do it with the Ahab's 'converter'. I did that recently when I was low on ink (damn you J. Herbin bottles!) and was too lazy to decant the ink into a vial. I ended up with a converter full of ink in the cap. Followed by ink on my hands and my clothes. And my journal. And my desk. And the floor. And on my dog.

[mhguda]

On occasion, I have also tried filling a converter straight from the vial - i.e. detach it from the pen, push or screw the piston all the way in, insert with opening into vial, trying to hold all straight of course, and screw or pull piston back. I do this when my syringe has a problem (sometimes its piston comes loose from the rubber) and the vial opening is sized so that the converter will fit easily into the ink. Less risk of stabbing myself with a sharp needle. More risk of spilling ink if no way of putting down conveniently. But doable. If the sample volume has become too tiny there's no help for it - the syringe it is, to get the last drop out of the vial and into the pen beit via converter or cartridge... Such a situation is also often a prelude to ink mixing...

[torstar]

Have injected convertors with syringes for decades now. Never a problem, never worn out the parts (as if...)

 

I'd guess that half the pens are good to go when the convertor is attached, the other half need a boost of forcing the ink.

Edited January 14, 2013 by torstar

[WillSW]

There is such a negative vibe in this thread. This board has such a postive energy field, and the negativity in this thread is constricting that positve energy from flowing though my internet connection.

 

I like to fill my syringe-fillers with a syringe. Perhaps the image of the simultaneous pushing and pulling of plungers as the ink is given and taken and the complicated position of my fingers in order to manipulate two syringes at the same time can work to equalize the energy.

[ethernautrix]

I have not stuck myself with a needle while filling converters and cartridges. I have, however, knocked over bottles of ink, spilling too much. Life is risk. Go for it!

[KCat]

i don't know what inspired the OP on this question but I for one abhor the con-50 converter and have tried to fill it with a syringe (pipet actually) because it is an awful little beast that doesn't fill through the nib well at all but sucks in mostly air. So I can understand wanting to get around this and filling it directly. In addition, it's unlikely to weaken this particular converter's connection to the nib unit. It's not designed in the least like a Parker or Waterman style converter (no "nipple"). Of course, it's this design difference that makes it horrible at drawing in liquid through the pen nib. Blasted thing.

 

I would highly recommend that if any of this is the reason the OP has posed this question, that a small supply of cartridges be purchased, used or flushed of their original ink, and filled with the preferred ink with a syringe or pipet. This is the only way I can use my VPs and other Pilot pens without going completely mad. I wish the con-70 could be used with the VP. It can't so this is the best choice I've found. The squeeze converter (con-20) sucks equally. Or rather, it doesn't suck enough. Pilot made converters that stand up to more abuse, but sacrificed function.