Repairing Guides

how to repair fountain pen

by Daphney Kuhn II Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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To fix:

  • Fill a measuring cup with a couple of inches of water.
  • Place the cup into your microwave and heat the water until it begins to boil.
  • Remove the cup and hold the nib and feeder in the water for 15 seconds.
  • Remove the pen from the water and press the feeder against the nib. Use moderate pressure.
  • Hold the pressure on the feeder until you are certain it has cooled. This could be about 15 more seconds. ...

Part of a video titled 3 Common Fountain Pen Problems and How to Fix Them
4:07
9:41
Place a fingertip on the underside of the feed press the top of the nib gently but firmly againstMorePlace a fingertip on the underside of the feed press the top of the nib gently but firmly against the edge of a hard surface. Then slowly roll the nib from base to tip against the surface.

Full Answer

Why is my fountain pen not working?

Scratchy Fountain Pen

  1. Scratchy Fountain Pen A scratchy nib will scratch and dig into your papers as you write. It makes your writing unpleasant and may also damage the paper. ...
  2. Excessive Ink Flow If your fountain pen is creating wide, wet lines that are taking too long to dry, there must be an air leak. ...
  3. Poor Ink Flow

How to get the ink flowing on a fountain pen?

How to Get Ink Flowing in Ink Pen

  • Different Types of Ink. It helps to understand what kind of ink is in your pen and what delivery mechanism is used to get the ink from pen to paper.
  • First Things First. ...
  • Consider the Paper. ...
  • Fixing a Ballpoint Pen. ...
  • Fixing a Rollerball Pen. ...
  • Fixing a Gel Pen. ...
  • Fixing a Dry Fountain Pen. ...

How to clean a dried out fountain pen?

  • Flushing Vs Soaking!
  • How To Clean Dried Ink From Nibs Fast! Cleaning Your Pen Nib With Flush Solution! Can You Use Vinegar To Clean A Fountain Pen Nib? ...
  • Conclusion

How to smooth a scratchy fountain pen nib?

How to smooth a new fountain pen nib quickly:

  • rinse the nib
  • use coarse paper initially
  • use micromesh or a smoothing stick

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How do I get my fountain pen to work again?

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 fountain pen that won't write?

1:497:41What to do when your fountain pen won't write. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOver paper towel or scrap piece of paper then gently give a tap tap tap a roux on the paper with aMoreOver paper towel or scrap piece of paper then gently give a tap tap tap a roux on the paper with a figure eight scribble to get that line going again one point i will advise.

Can you repair a 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.

Why does fountain pen stop writing?

Naturally, a fountain pen won't write anymore if it's completely out of ink. For most cartridge converter pens, you'll want to remove the section from the barrel and check the converter or cartridge to see if there is any more ink in the reservoir. If the reservoir is empty, then it's time to fill up once more.

Why is my pen not working when it has ink?

New pens can become clogged with sediments in the ink, while used pens dry out over time. Nibs collect particles of ink, dust and paper fiber. Remove the ink cartridge and run warm water through the pen to dislodge small particles and dried ink.

Why does my pen stop writing?

One of the most common issues ballpoint pens face when it comes to them drying out is exposure to air. When air gets inside the cartridge it will make the ink dry up and for ballpoint ink, which is already quite thick, this will normally clog it completely.

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 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 get ink to flow in a fountain pen?

1:3410:22How To Get The Ink Flowing in a New Fountain Pen (Ink Cartridge)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you can see it does start basically. And this will start the sort of capillary action. And theMoreAnd you can see it does start basically. And this will start the sort of capillary action. And the people start to absorb. The ink and it will get going that was a nice quick turnaround.

How do you get dried ink out of nibs?

Just fill up a cup with tap water, and keep that cup beside you as you create calligraphy. Every couple of minutes, when your ink flow starts to get impeded by ink drying on the nib, swish the ink off in your “art water” for about two seconds. Then, quickly pat the nib dry with a cloth and start writing again.

How do you get the ink to flow in a fountain pen?

1:3410:22How To Get The Ink Flowing in a New Fountain Pen (Ink Cartridge)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you can see it does start basically. And this will start the sort of capillary action.MoreAnd you can see it does start basically. And this will start the sort of capillary action.

How do you get dried ink out of nibs?

Once you have the pen disassembled, soak the nib and feed section in a warm water bath. Completely submerge the pen. The length of the soak time will vary on how long you have left the pen. If your pen has been sitting for awhile you may have to leave overnight.

How do you flush a fountain pen?

How to clean a fountain pen with a vacuum-filling mechanismSubmerge the nib and feed in cool water.Fill the pen like you would with ink, only with the water.Flush out the pen in a sink or separate cup.Repeat until the water inside the pen's body is clear.Let air dry on a paper towel.

How do I make my fountain pen write smoothly?

How to Smoothen Your Fountain Pen NibSmooth the nib using micromesh or a smoothing stick.Smooth the nib using a ceramic cup.Smooth the nib using a whetstone.Make sure to keep the pen inked up, or dip it in water before every pass.Clean thoroughly before and after smoothing.

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.

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 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.

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.

How to make a pen with a microwave?

Fill a measuring cup with a couple of inches of water. Place the cup into your microwave and heat the water until it begins to boil. Remove the cup and hold the nib and feeder in the water for 15 seconds. Remove the pen from the water and press the feeder against the nib. Use moderate pressure.

How to remove a fountain pen nib?

Practice caution when removing the nib, as it is sharp and may cut you. Remove the nib by gripping its top with two fingers and pulling away from the body of the pen. Gently grip the top of the nib with your index finger and thumb.

What is a broken nib on a fountain pen?

The nib of a fountain pen is where the ink flows from, and having a broken nib results in a non-functioning fountain pen. The repair mostly requires household tools, as well as a polish at the end.

How to correct misalignment of pen nib?

Slide the knife, or thin metal surface, between the two tines on the nib. Slowly move the pen nib up and down the length of the knife in a flossing motion. This action can help correct misalignment. Edit.

What is rolling a pen?

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. Edit. Add a comment. Add a comment.

Shangas

I tried sending an email to Richard Binder, but since he's shut-up for the holidays...I bring my case before the masses of the Fountain Pen Network.

philm

No doubt you will get several responses to this, but I hope most will encourage you to try your hand at repairs.

Shangas

Hahaha!! No, I don't expect to become fabulously wealthy, but I thought it would be something fun to do. And rewarding. Thanks for the links. I've already read Richard's & Ron's sites. I've read through both several times. I'll take a look at those other suggestions, though. Thanks!

Ron Z

Da Book is Frank Dubiel's book on pen repair. Pendemonium has it, Fountain Pen Hospital has it. The information is very general, but useful. I have a copy, along with the manufacturers manuals, and refer to both when looking for information.

Shangas

Oh no!! No nonononononono. I'm gonna start with two-dollar pieces of (Potty Mouth) that I pick up at flea-markets and stuff. Once I've perfected my methods of torture on those poor unfortunates, I shall move to larger things.

david i

Da Book is Frank Dubiel's book on pen repair. Pendemonium has it, Fountain Pen Hospital has it. The information is very general, but useful. I have a copy, along with the manufacturers manuals, and refer to both when looking for information.

david i

I tried sending an email to Richard Binder, but since he's shut-up for the holidays...I bring my case before the masses of the Fountain Pen Network.

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