Twsbi Micarta 2 (+Eyedropper)

[ryanshanabarger]

Hey everyone,

 

Just thought I'd put a little post up because when I got my Micarta 2 I did some searching and only found a smidgen of info about using it as an eyedropper (and that smidgen was "don't")...

Well after filling the converter for the third time this week, I figured I'd throw caution to the wind and fill 'er up!

 

And..... So far so good! It's only been about 24 hours, but there are no leaks or any other issues so far. I've been keeping an eye on the finish to see if it changed colors (I used brown ink just to be safe), but as far as I can tell it's not changing at all. And the micarta 2 has a rubber o-ring around the section anyways so that works....

 

Anywho, Just my 2 cents from experience: It's possible for them to work as an eye dropper with no modification. Of course your micarta could be different. Test with water first if you are really worried.

I'll come back and update if anything changes. But I think I'm in the clear after 24 hours of resting, writing, bouncing around in my backpack, etc.

 

P.S. I'm sure im not the first one to notice, but how awesome does the micarta look with the Midori traveler? Add iroshizuku yama-guri??? Perfection.

 

Edited October 17, 2013 by ryanshanabarger

[JemC]

Very Interesting!

 

I've never seriously thought about ED'ing my Micarta, I guess I've enjoyed changing inks too much.

 

I'd probably use some silicone grease on the threads, just to feel safe. But my real concern would be the way the Micarta seems to handle moisture. I've noticed from filling the converter through the nib that the section seems to stay moist for a while afterwards.

Maybe I went a little crazy with ink, but I got a fair amount on the section threads. For the next few days, it seemed that the threads had bloated and were creating more resistance when capping/uncapping. I ended up letting it sit uncapped overnight to dry out the section; now it's back to a dry feel and proper threading.

 

Anyway, so I'm curious to see what kind of effect using it as an eyedropper will have.

[Mastersmith043]

I would think that the only real problem with this idea, other than leaking of course, would be that the ink may soak into the micarta and contaminate other inks you might try.

[KrazyIvan]

Yup, eventually the ink is going to soak through the Micarta. That is how I found I had a cracked nib unit because my section started getting darker.

[renderboy]

Nice idea, and I think it fits with the Micarta 'vibe' as it's a very functional, unfussy pen. Do you find more ink leaks from the nib into the cap though? I've found that can be a problem with eyedropper conversions as the ink can get both down the usual hole where the converter would fit, but also down the sides of the feed.

[ryanshanabarger]

So to give an update: space between the section and body started looking a little darker, as did the thin flat plane just around the nib... So it seems like the ink was affecting the part of the micarta that was tooled, but the outside seems to have a finish on it that has stopped any color change.

 

So I did what I should have done in the first place, which is to put silicone grease on the section threads, and around the feed unit (removed nib, put on some silicone, replaced nib). Adding grease is stabdard for eyedropper conversions, so I should have done it anyways.

 

Given the nearly imperceptible color change after 2 days - I am confident that with the silicone grease there will be no more problems.

 

Obviously a different pen might have more porous micarta - I don't know how consistent they are. But I'm happy with mine so far as an eyedropper. And I'll give an update in another couple of days to see how the silicone works

Edited October 19, 2013 by ryanshanabarger

[mikehodgman]

That TWSBI Micarta and Midori combo is crazy awesome. Dangit, I am going to have to get a Micarta now!

[akafridi3]

So how has it been working out for you?

Edited December 1, 2013 by akafridi3

[Sham69]

has she leaked yet

[KrazyIvan]

Any updates on this? Thought I would link to this too: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/219489-micarta-eyedropper/

[tomgartin]

 

 

So, what's happened in the past few months? Did it hold up okay or did you have issues?

[ryanshanabarger]

Hey there, sorry about the super late reply. Been a busy time in my life so I haven't been on in months.

 

Pen is still leak free. No problems at all. If the body has changed colors at all I can't tell - firstly because they are already not an even color, and because i've only used brown ink in it.

 

So any who, I like it as an eye dropper.

Ryan

[Davros]

Awesome! That is great news.

[JemC]

 

Pen is still leak free. No problems at all. If the body has changed colors at all I can't tell - firstly because they are already not an even color, and because i've only used brown ink in it.

Very impressive and unexpected. Have you refilled the barrel a couple times now?

 

I really thought it would seep through the "grain" over time. Does the barrel feel bone-dry on the outside?

[ryanshanabarger]

Yes, multiple refills, and it is my daily carry - so it has yet to be empty since I got it. So that's about 8 months full of ink. It it were going to leak, I think it would have by now.

[Oldparkerguy]

This thread is spot on for me because it covers my question precisely. I wanted to increase the capacity of my Micartas with ED conversion.

 

I’ve always believed the resin component of micarta to be so very dense (think epoxy or phenolic) that any kind of bleed through the solid pen body would be impossible.

 

A crack would be a different issue.

 

Thanks so much for taking "the point” leading to this discovery.

 

I’ve read elsewhere bees wax or the toilet wax washer wax sold in plumbing supply departments of stores will work sealing threads as well and will not “set up”.

great report.

[Oldparkerguy]

Update: Micarta II: I tried it with not all positive results. I greased the threads at section/barrel and the nib feed threads and filled ‘er up.

 

The normally dry running nib (broad) became juicy. Writing performance was now great. I liked that but began to get creep and ink in cap when closed. I thought that screwing on the cap was compressing the air pocket in the barrel and pushing the ink out a bit.

 

I reduced the volume of ink, but still have the problem when capping/uncapping.

 

So I can’t recommend that “converting” the Micarta II to an eyedropper is a great idea for everyone. Your mileage may vary.

[Jamerelbe]

Update: Micarta II: I tried it with not all positive results. I greased the threads at section/barrel and the nib feed threads and filled ‘er up.

 

The normally dry running nib (broad) became juicy. Writing performance was now great. I liked that but began to get creep and ink in cap when closed. I thought that screwing on the cap was compressing the air pocket in the barrel and pushing the ink out a bit.

 

I reduced the volume of ink, but still have the problem when capping/uncapping.

 

So I can’t recommend that “converting” the Micarta II to an eyedropper is a great idea for everyone. Your mileage may vary.

 

Not sure I'd advocate using the Micarta as an eyedropper, but I think your problem may actually be too LITTLE ink in the barrel, rather than too MUCH: The more ink you remove, the larger the volume of air... And it's air rather than ink that will significantly expand when the warmth of your hand, your body, or the ambient conditions cause it to heat up...