Nice vid Stephen, I like the repair-style vids too. Just a comment about converters, Schmidt actually makes a ton of different converters, I'd venture to guess that they make most of the converters in the world. Even companies that have their own logos on their converters, they're still usually Schmidt from what I understand. Like anything else, they can different in style and quality, but Schmidt isn't a term specific to one design or quality of converter.
This was a great tip. Already used it but with a small variation. I used the needle of a syringe instead of a tube. It worked great with the TWSBI stuff.
I disassemble my lamy converters... They have a similar design to those you talk about. I use a small amount of silicone grease at that junction of the clear and black plastic. It makes it easier to pull apart next time and also ensures an airtight seal.
Great! I really enjoy this new pen repair vid category. Without having seen it before, I've used the toothpick method in the past, (instinct?) as I've also used the same method to reach the piston and clean it a bit further. In that case, the piston is all the way down and with a toothpick on which you've tightly fit a tiny piece of paper, you clean the end of it. That's as far as I go with converter mechanics though, the second method is pure Stephen magic! I always enjoy your vids! Nice!
I have used a similar method, but I use 3cc syringe with a hypodermic needle attached to it. These can be purchased at any pharmacy or drug store for very cheap. The needle is very firm and can be aimed at the inside walls quite accurately as the tip of the needle is truncated. Just be sure you don't poke yourself with it while handling it. I sometimes fill up used disposable cartridges by sucking up ink directly from the bottle with the hypodermic needle and then into the cartridge directly
Thank you for this tip sir! I don't know why I never thought of it, but one of my converters is in need of lubrication. I have plenty of silicone grease laying around, but never thought to use it on my pen! I use it for watches, flashlights, and anything else with o-rings, but never thought to use it on my pen.
Very nice. I happent to have a few of those non opening converters. (Waterman Parker). I bought some excellent deatachbleones at the Arhthesia Book Sotre in Bozen/Blozan Northern Italy though Cheap and they work well. Just a question I know water and Grease do not mix but still does the silicone affect the inks?
Thanks for sharing! I find the Pilot con-70 very hard to lubricate, as there's a rubber stopper on a stick inside the ink chamber, preventing the toothpick from going in further. Maybe your second method will help, and a long thin needle can replace the tube, as long as one proceeds carefully enough.
The Nemosine converter, once you get that metal band off, is actually quite easy to take apart and reassemble. Which is useful because then you can get that annoying little marble out of it.
Is there any possibility of the residual silicone grease inside of the converter affects or, I mean, react chemically with the ink, like spoiling it somehow?
Do those Chinese (international?) converters work with pens which use Waterman converters? I have a pen that the waterman works with almost perfectly, however the Waterman gets a little loose and drops out the back every now and again.
That was very helpful, Stephen. Do you know of a "cure" for those small Parker plastic "thumb push" converters? (I don't know the technical name) I have one which is dreadfully hard to push and pull to add ink. (I tried WD40 to no avail.) If they weren't made of plastic, I'd swear they were rusted.
Its like this urge overtakes one. It pushes him to fill the vast empty space in front of him. Its almost like a primate thing - the need to assume authority over a position. Oh what the hey....FIRST....Na Im just joking... Great video!
Very nice. I happent to have a few of those non opening converters. (Waterman Parker). I bought some excellent deatachbleones at the Arhthesia Book Sotre in Bozen/Blozan Northern Italy though Cheap and they work well. Just a question I know water and Grease do not mix but still does the silicone affect the inks?
Nice vid Stephen, I like the repair-style vids too. Just a comment about converters, Schmidt actually makes a ton of different converters, I'd venture to guess that they make most of the converters in the world. Even companies that have their own logos on their converters, they're still usually Schmidt from what I understand. Like anything else, they can different in style and quality, but Schmidt isn't a term specific to one design or quality of converter.
This was a great tip. Already used it but with a small variation. I used the needle of a syringe instead of a tube. It worked great with the TWSBI stuff.
I disassemble my lamy converters... They have a similar design to those you talk about. I use a small amount of silicone grease at that junction of the clear and black plastic. It makes it easier to pull apart next time and also ensures an airtight seal.
Great! I really enjoy this new pen repair vid category.
Without having seen it before, I've used the toothpick method in the past, (instinct?) as I've also used the same method to reach the piston and clean it a bit further. In that case, the piston is all the way down and with a toothpick on which you've tightly fit a tiny piece of paper, you clean the end of it.
That's as far as I go with converter mechanics though, the second method is pure Stephen magic!
I always enjoy your vids! Nice!
I have used a similar method, but I use 3cc syringe with a hypodermic needle attached to it. These can be purchased at any pharmacy or drug store for very cheap. The needle is very firm and can be aimed at the inside walls quite accurately as the tip of the needle is truncated. Just be sure you don't poke yourself with it while handling it.
I sometimes fill up used disposable cartridges by sucking up ink directly from the bottle with the hypodermic needle and then into the cartridge directly
Excellent info. Stephen. Now my very stiff Waterman converter works better than when new. Thanks!
Thank you for this tip sir! I don't know why I never thought of it, but one of my converters is in need of lubrication. I have plenty of silicone grease laying around, but never thought to use it on my pen! I use it for watches, flashlights, and anything else with o-rings, but never thought to use it on my pen.
Don't worry about an upper "seal" since many threaded posts have a hole down the middle anyway. The real seal against ink flow is the piston steal.
I'm wondering if it would be possible to get a very small gage needle/syringe from the pharmacy to do the same job as the tubing/syring combo.
That would work for sure
Yay! I have a converter that I can not take apart and is stiff to operate. I have silicone grease AND toothpicks! Thank you!!!
Quite ingenious! Thanks. I'll try it with my Waterman converter.
Very nice.
I happent to have a few of those non opening converters. (Waterman Parker). I bought some excellent deatachbleones at the Arhthesia Book Sotre in Bozen/Blozan Northern Italy though Cheap and they work well.
Just a question I know water and Grease do not mix but still does the silicone affect the inks?
I'm glad this was useful for you!
Thanks for sharing! I find the Pilot con-70 very hard to lubricate, as there's a rubber stopper on a stick inside the ink chamber, preventing the toothpick from going in further. Maybe your second method will help, and a long thin needle can replace the tube, as long as one proceeds carefully enough.
The Nemosine converter, once you get that metal band off, is actually quite easy to take apart and reassemble. Which is useful because then you can get that annoying little marble out of it.
Truly smart methodology. Thank you very much for sharing :)
Is there any possibility of the residual silicone grease inside of the converter affects or, I mean, react chemically with the ink, like spoiling it somehow?
Do those Chinese (international?) converters work with pens which use Waterman converters? I have a pen that the waterman works with almost perfectly, however the Waterman gets a little loose and drops out the back every now and again.
Good Tips. Thanks Stephen.
Yeah, do you think if I did accidentally get some in the feed, that running some rubbing alcohol through the pen would clean it out?
That was very helpful, Stephen. Do you know of a "cure" for those small Parker plastic "thumb push" converters? (I don't know the technical name) I have one which is dreadfully hard to push and pull to add ink. (I tried WD40 to no avail.) If they weren't made of plastic, I'd swear they were rusted.
is 100%pure food grade silicone grease safe for fountain pens ?
Yes
Very useful, thank you!
Just what I needed. Serendipity, I think it's called. :-)
Problably breather tubes and gas lines for small weed eaters (idk what they are called over in Europe)
My moto: "If there's too much friction, lube it up."
Ok. Thank you.
Its like this urge overtakes one. It pushes him to fill the vast empty space in front of him. Its almost like a primate thing - the need to assume authority over a position. Oh what the hey....FIRST....Na Im just joking... Great video!
grandmothers are useful items.
Are you aware that you can dissasseble lamy converters
A couple of great tips on how not to get grease on your nipples. ;^)
:-)
Very nice.
I happent to have a few of those non opening converters. (Waterman Parker). I bought some excellent deatachbleones at the Arhthesia Book Sotre in Bozen/Blozan Northern Italy though Cheap and they work well.
Just a question I know water and Grease do not mix but still does the silicone affect the inks?