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.
What is the best way to clean a fountain pen?
Part 1 Part 1 of 4: Cleaning the Nib Download Article
- Clean the pen if you are refilling the ink for the second time. Fountain pens need to be cleaned periodically to ensure that they will work optimally.
- Take the pen apart. A fountain pen has several different parts that will need to be disassembled in order to clean the pen thoroughly.
- Flush out the nib. ...
- Soak the nib in an ammonia mixture overnight. ...
How often should you clean a fountain pen?
Some good rules of thumb:
- Clean your pen at least each quarter if you don't experience problems
- Most pen enthusiasts seem to clean their pens once per month
- Clean between refills, especially if you're changing inks
- Clean it more often if you experience problems like skipping or dry start
- Clean it more often if you use inks with special properties, like glitter
How to refill a fountain pen?
So how do I fill a converter style fountain pen with ink?
- First, you must take the pen apart by unscrewing the grip section of the pen from the barrel.
- The next step, is to attach the ink converter to the pen. Most cartridge/converter style pens will come with a converter included, and most are attached to the pen.
- Flush the air from the converter. ...
Why is my fountain pen not working?
Scratchy Fountain Pen
- 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. ...
- 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. ...
- Poor Ink Flow
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.
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 scratched nib?
2:206:52How 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.
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.
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.
Can you repair a bent nib?
0:283:43How Do You Repair A Bent Nib? - Q&A Slices - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd kind of fine-tune your nib if it's already aligned well and writing properly or for the mostMoreAnd kind of fine-tune your nib if it's already aligned well and writing properly or for the most part that's that's one thing to be able to do yourself to be able to fix.
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.
How do you smooth a fountain pen nib?
0:212:06How To: Smooth Your Nib - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll have to make sure they're specifically for pens you want to make sure they're a very veryMoreYou'll have to make sure they're specifically for pens you want to make sure they're a very very fine grit. So what you'll do is you'll start off with your micro mesh now you can always test the
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.
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 heat a fountain pen nib?
0:461:44How to heat set a fountain pen feed - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWater on the body of your pen it might discolor it some. And what you'll do is just rest your pin inMoreWater on the body of your pen it might discolor it some. And what you'll do is just rest your pin in this boiling. Hot water now you'll just leave it there for thirty Seconds to a minute.
How do I clean my vintage fountain pen nib?
Cleaning fountain pen nibs that can be fully removed from the pen are probably the easiest type of pen to clean, as you can simply detach the nib section and place it in cool water to soak. After about 20 minutes, flush the nib through under lightly running water. This should remove any old or clogged ink.
How do you clean a fountain pen with vinegar?
Soak it overnight.You can also use vinegar instead of ammonia. Use one teaspoon of vinegar with one cup of water.Do not use ammonia on Wahl Eversharp pens from the 1920s and 1930s. ... Do not use any cleaners or soaps on your pen. ... Do not soak nitrocellulose pens in ammonia, as the ammonia will discolor the pen's covering.
How do you polish a fountain pen?
12:3032:33How to polish a fountain pen. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd again we begin in circular motions just to rub this particular polish or compound if you likeMoreAnd again we begin in circular motions just to rub this particular polish or compound if you like into into the pen.
How do I make my fountain pen work?
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.
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.)
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.
