Repairing Guides

how to repair a fountain pen nib

by Eddie Pfeffer Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Step 1 Nib Repair.

  • Press the nib of the pen down onto the flat surface.
  • Gently apply pressure to straighten out the nib.
  • Slowly roll the fountain pen nib horizontally, from left to right.
  • Rolling is the motion of pressing the nib down on a flat surface and moving it back and forth to straighten out any bends.
  • Rolling the nib of the fountain pen fixes flayed/separated tines.

Part of a video titled 3 Common Fountain Pen Problems and How to Fix Them
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And hold for several seconds alternate sides and repeat as needed grip the sides of the tines.MoreAnd hold for several seconds alternate sides and repeat as needed grip the sides of the tines. Between two fingertips and squeeze them firmly for 5 to 10 seconds repeating as necessary.

Full Answer

What pen can I use instead of a fountain pen?

What Kind Of Ink To Use In A Fountain Pen

  • Fountain Pen Inks. As a rule of thumb, if you are new to fountain pens and are unfamiliar with all of the different brands of ink that are available, the ...
  • Non-Fountain Pen Inks. You’ll also find many different inks that are not made for fountain pens. ...
  • Final Thoughts. Here’s a quick recap on what kind of ink to use in a fountain pen. ...

How to change the nib on an Edison Fountain pen?

Swapping nibs on Edison fountain pens is straightforward but there are a couple of things to look out for.Edison gold nibs:https://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/b...

How long does it take to change a nib?

Under the Private Health Insurance Act, when you switch to nib your previous fund is required to send us a transfer certificate within 14 days. The transfer certificate outlines details of your previous cover, including any waiting periods you’ve served, the type of cover you had and your claims history.

How do you unclog a fountain pen?

Things You'll Need

  • Tattoo gun
  • Thin needles
  • Ink
  • Paper towels
  • Alcohol solution

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Can you fix fountain pen nib?

Gently apply pressure to straighten out the nib. Slowly roll the fountain pen nib horizontally, from left to right. Rolling is the motion of pressing the nib down on a flat surface and moving it back and forth to straighten out any bends. Rolling the nib of the fountain pen fixes flayed/separated tines.

How do you restore a fountain pen nib?

If you think your fountain pen has dried out because of clogging, the first step is to try flushing it with warm water. The best way to do this is by unscrewing the pen, removing the cartridge and pouring warm water into the feed and through the nib to flush out any hardened ink or sediment.

How do you fix a scratchy fountain pen nib?

2:286:52How to smooth a scratchy fountain pen nib - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just take your fingernail. And Bend back the time that needs to be moved back and bend forwardMoreAnd just take your fingernail. And Bend back the time that needs to be moved back and bend forward the time that needs to be moved forward and then continue to use your magnification.

Can fountain pens be repaired?

Typical Restoration of your fountain pen includes (but not limited to): replacement of bladder, diaphragm, seals (as necessary), disassembly of nib / feed, clear ink channel, reassembly, flow testing and final polish to restore as close to original appearance as possible.

How do you fix a fountain pen that won't write?

1:497:41What to do when your fountain pen won't write. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the shake and tap method doesn't remedy the poor ink flow wet the nib with some tap or distilled.MoreIf the shake and tap method doesn't remedy the poor ink flow wet the nib with some tap or distilled. Water the water will reactivate any dried ink in the nib.

How do I get my old fountain pen to work again?

Insert a fresh cartridge into the pen and squeeze it gently until the ink flows through the end of the pen. If the pen will still not write, disassemble it again and leave the nib to soak for several hours in a light detergent-and-water mix before reassembly.

How long does fountain pen nib last?

Most nibs will last at least 10-30 years. High-quality nibs can last up to 75-100 years, depending on the material. Gold nibs may wear faster, but not necessarily. Untipped nibs will last a couple of years.

How do you smooth a pen nib?

2:157:33How to smooth a fountain pen nib - pentuner.com - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd I just draw figure eights on it and I'm using very light pressure I normally write with a lightMoreAnd I just draw figure eights on it and I'm using very light pressure I normally write with a light pressured hand but on here especially you want to use light pressure.

Why is nib scratchy?

If a nib that previously wrote smoothly has suddenly turned scratchy, it has probably suffered some sort of trauma. The most common being misalignment. If bumped or dropped one of the tines can move in relation with the other. This is the first thing to look for.

How do you tell if a nib is damaged?

1:025:33How Do You Know If Your Nib Is Defective? - Q&A Slices - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBasically something feeling smooth and feeling scratchy when you have a big broad nib there's a lotMoreBasically something feeling smooth and feeling scratchy when you have a big broad nib there's a lot of give in there and it doesn't have to be aligned very properly. You know there's a lot more give.

How do you take apart a fountain pen nib?

0:573:06How to remove a fountain pen nib and feed - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLet's talk about how to reinsert. The Nibin feed what you'll do is you'll line up the feed with theMoreLet's talk about how to reinsert. The Nibin feed what you'll do is you'll line up the feed with the nib.

What to do if your fountain pen is scratchy?

If you’re having trouble with a fountain pen—whether it’s scratchy, too dry, or too wet—the first thing we always recommend is to give the pen a good cleaning. For the times when cleaning doesn’t help, here are some more advanced troubleshooting techniques that can help get your pen writing a little better.

How does a fountain pen work?

At any given time, a fountain pen is filled with a combination of ink and air, and the air will expand and contract as it gets hotter or cooler, respectively . If the air in the pen expands enough, it will start to force ink out the pen to make more room.

Why is my pen leaking ink?

Excessive ink flow can be caused by air le ak somewhere in the pen. Leaks most often occur when the opening of an ink cartridge or converter does not form an airtight seal with the nib section. If possible, try installing a different cartridge or converter in the pen to see if that resolves the issue.

How to fix a gap between a nib and feed?

Roll the top side of the nib against a hard surface, as described in the section on fixing a gap between the nib and feed. With a fingertip on the underside of the feed, press the top side of the tip against a hard surface and rock the nib from side to side for five to ten seconds, repeating as necessary.

What does "flow" mean in pen?

"Flow" refers to how quickly a pen puts ink onto the paper. Dry or inconsistent flow can cause the ink to skip or appear washed out. It can also cause "hard starts"—small skips at the beginning of a pen stroke.

What brands of fountain pen are best for wet lines?

Other frequently recommended brands include Diamine, Monteverde, Pilot Iroshizuku, and Sailor . Troubleshooting a Fountain Pen with Excessively Wet Ink Flow. When a fountain pen puts ink down too quickly, it will create wide, wet lines that take a long time to dry.

Do the tines touch the tip of a pen?

The slit should narrow slightly toward the tips, but the tines should never actually touch. If the tines are touching, or if the tines are splayed so that the slit is wider near the tip than it is near the breather hole, the ink will not be able to flow properly to the tip.

Re-Tipping

Confronted with a damaged or mangled nib unit, many pen owners may throw their favorite writing instrument in a drawer and think it beyond repair--and that is how many vintage fountain pens have come to light after years of being lost and forgotten.

Straightening

This Aurora Leonardo Da Vinci took a nose-dive. The softer 18K metal responded well to straightening.

Crack Repairs

This Moore's Maniflex nib was cracked all the way through the imprint and into the tail.

Smallest Nib We've Ever Worked On..

This is one of the smallest nibs we've ever worked on. (That's a real penny next to it.)

How to prime ink in fountain pen?

With a cartridge converter style fountain pen you can prime the ink. If you are using a cartridge simply unscrew the grip section and then compress the cartridge forcing ink through the feed. With a converter twist the converter a bit until ink appears. Some papers accept ink better than others.

Why is my fountain pen dry?

Tip 1. Flush the Fountain Pen. Whether is is a new or used pen it may be writing dry due to a clogged or partially clogged feed system. New pens can come with sediment in the pen while the ink in used pens can dry over time clogging the feed system (it is best to clean out fountain pens when they are not being used).

Does paper absorb ink?

Some paper will absorb too much ink creating bleeding and feathering while other papers will not absorb ink very well at all. Inks that absorb more ink will create thicker lines than paper that does not absorb ink. Some paper is considered fountain pen friendly while others are not.

What happens when a fountain pen is not properly fitted?

When the nib and the feeder do not properly fit one another, several problems occur. Either the ink does not flow, or the pen leaks. Feeders are usually made of plastic. In vintage fountain pens from the 1920s and before, they were often made of hard rubber.

How to tune a fountain pen?

Here’s how to tune your fountain pen: With your fingernails press down on the high side and upward on the low side. Check your progress often with your magnifying glass. If the nib is stamped from steel, it should respond well to pressure from your fingernails.

How to check if a nib is scratchy?

If the tines are properly aligned and the nib is still scratchy, use a loupe or magnifying glass to examine the tips of the nib. The surface of the tips should be perfectly smooth.

How to use a pen that has been left in water?

In more severe cases, when the ink has been left in a pen for several weeks of non-use, cup your hand under a faucet and fill the nib with water. Quickly dip the whole section into the water in your hand and remove it. Cap the pen and carry it in your pocket for an hour or so before using.

How to clean a pen that has been sitting for a long time?

If the pen has been sitting unused for more than a few days, add two or three drops of water. Let it soak in. If you do not write with the pen immediately, the water can mix with the ink under the nib more thoroughly.

How to correct gap between feed and nib?

If there is a gap between the nib and feed, use the following steps to correct it: With a fingertip on the underside of the feed, press the top of the nib gently but firmly against the edge of a hard surface.

Why does my pen leak in the air?

Heat can cause the air inside a pen to expand and force ink out through the nib. If the leaking or wet writing occurs when it gets hot out or when you've been carrying the pen close to your body, this may be the cause.

What Is A Baby Bottom Fountain Pen?

Although some people within the fountain pen owning communities do have slightly different definitions of their nibs ending up with a baby bottom, the general consensus is that the issue occurs when the nib of your pen is too rounded where its tines meet.

How To Tell If Your Fountain Pen Has A Baby Bottom?

Although there is a very common belief that a fountain pen should write under its own weight, this is not actually true. We see this advice offered time and time again when it comes to trying to work out if you are suffering from a fountain pen baby bottom or not but in reality, it does not help.

How To Fix A Fountain Pen Baby Bottom?

Depending on the price tag of your fountain pen, it can actually be cheaper to just pick up a replacement nib than get all of the equipment that you can potentially need to fix a baby bottom on your fountain pen nib. That said, the majority baby bottom nibs can be fixed in your own home but can take time and patients to fix.

Is Removing A Baby Bottom As Easy As It Seems?

In a word, no. Correctly removing a baby bottom from your fountain pen nib is definitely a challenge and this is why we always recommend that you try to find someone in your local area who has experience as well as the relevant equipment to get the job done.

JamesX

I dropped my Fountain Pen tip in the kitchen today and it hit the hard porcaline tiles tip first.

Flourish

If you think you're up to it it doesn't sound like to hard of a repair you'll just need to go slowly and test the nib often. First find yourself a small mirror smooth flat head screwdriver shaped tool or a couple smaller diameter wooden dowels.

gyasko

I don't mean to sound cranky but I am stunned that you would give this type of advice to folks. This procedure may work for you but the potential to further damage a nib by following your advice is extremely likely IMHO.

girlieg33k

I once dropped a Stipula pen, nib down. The nib looked mangled beyond repair. It was sent to Richard Binder for repair. It was also treated to a .6mm cursive italic regrind. Personally, I'd never attempt to repair a damaged nib on my own, one that I cared about anyway. I'd send it to a reputable nib technician.

PaFitch

The "tension" in looking for ideas in the forum lies in the issue of needing to do the work myself (sending a pen off to others, for me, isn't an option--really).

Rabbit

I was always under the impression that you would need a nib block to do this repair, and the use of heat.

Flourish

If you think you're up to it it doesn't sound like to hard of a repair you'll just need to go slowly and test the nib often. First find yourself a small mirror smooth flat head screwdriver shaped tool or a couple smaller diameter wooden dowels.

jskywalker

Some of my pens, the nibs becomes loose and wobbly, especially those that I used very often (favourites),,,

Newton Pens

what pens are these? do you take them apart to clean them? how hard to you press when writing?

PAKMAN

Many times it's because the nib is not seated deep enough in the collar. Pressing the shoulders of the nib toward the pen to push it in deeper may fix your issue.

Ron Z

Omas nibs are mounted in a ring that screws into the section. This ring is not reinforced like the ones used on Pelikan nib units, but is simply plastic. From time to time they break, causing the looseness that you are seeing. While it is not common, neither is it uncommon for this to happen.

OMASsimo

Yes, this is a known issue with some OMAS pens from the 1980s/90s and I had to fix a few of them. I simply made the collars myself from pieces of plastic tubes of appropriate size. It's a little tedious to make them by hand but it's well worth it.

Paul-in-SF

Eg, when I write, the whole nib will shift out of alignment with the feed...

Ron Z

No-one ever responded to Michael R's suggestion and I would love to hear if anyone has tried this, whether it succeeded or failed, or if there are other ideas out there.

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