Gap Between Nib And Feed

[lhl_henrylui]

I bought a Hero 153 from a Hero's outlet when I visited Shanghai 2 years ago. I at once inked the pen when I got back to the hotel. The nib was so smooth and has a little bit of flex. The pen's weight and centre of mass was perfect. I fell in love with it at once.

I produced some thick downward strokes with the little flexibility. Unfortunately, I found that the pen occasionally skips when the thick downward strokes were produced. I then examined the nib and discovered that there was a tiny gap between the feed and the nib, occasionally stopping the ink from flowing. I tried different inks on the pen but the problem still existed.

 

I read the post about this problem:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/187706-five-bad-things-that-happen-with-new-pens/

And I tried to reset the feed by heating it with a hair dryer, then with hot water from the tap. But neither of them had softened the feed. I felt only a slight warmth when I touched the feed. I think the problem is that the feed is not hot enough to soften, but I dare not heat it with hotter water in fear that I would cause irremediable damage to the feed, making it not possible anymore for me to experience the pleasure of using this pen.

 

The feed is actually quite thick. Does anyone have any idea how to heat it up safely?

Sending the pen back for repair is certainly not an option for me. Does anyone know what I should do?

Any help is appreciated.

[fountainbel]

Nib/feed contact restoration with a vintage hard rubber bend feed is rather easy

Restoring the nib/feed contact with a modern plastic feed is however very delicate.

The thinner parts of the plastic feed -s.a. the fins -are easily overheated and then start to warp

Given your problem was triggered by exceeding the flexibility limits of the nib, I would work on the nib and not on the feed

Burinishing the nib one can surely restore the nib/feed contact.

Just my 2 cents....

Francis

[lhl_henrylui]

Nib/feed contact restoration with a vintage hard rubber bend feed is rather easy Restoring the nib/feed contact with a modern plastic feed is however very delicate.The thinner parts of the plastic feed -s.a. the fins -are easily overheated and then start to warpGiven your problem was triggered by exceeding the flexibility limits of the nib, I would work on the nib and not on the feedBurinishing the nib one can surely restore the nib/feed contact.Just my 2 cents.... Francis

Well, the pressure I applied did not exceed the flexibility limit of the nib. The nib is not bent or deformed at all.

[fountainbel]

Nib/feed contact restoration with a vintage hard rubber bend feed is rather easy Restoring the nib/feed contact with a modern plastic feed is however very delicate.The thinner parts of the plastic feed -s.a. the fins -are easily overheated and then start to warpGiven your problem was triggered by exceeding the flexibility limits of the nib, I would work on the nib and not on the feedBurinishing the nib one can surely restore the nib/feed contact.Just my 2 cents.... Francis

Well, the pressure I applied did not exceed the flexibility limit of the nib. The nib is not bent or deformed at all.

 

 

So the nib/feed gap was there from the start??

Surely possible, but strange....

As you surely know, producing wider lines requires a reduced writing speed , giving the ink more time to flow and "bridge" the wider tines opening.

Francis

[professionaldilettante]

Nib/feed contact restoration with a vintage hard rubber bend feed is rather easy

Restoring the nib/feed contact with a modern plastic feed is however very delicate.

The thinner parts of the plastic feed -s.a. the fins -are easily overheated and then start to warp

Given your problem was triggered by exceeding the flexibility limits of the nib, I would work on the nib and not on the feed

Burinishing the nib one can surely restore the nib/feed contact.

Just my 2 cents....

Francis

But burnishing the nib is 1000x more involved than just heat setting the feed. You'd need tools that are hard to come by and very specialized. Since this is a Hero, and nothing expensive, I would just get some hot water. Dip the nib/feed part, but not the section into near boiling water for a minute or so, and then press the two together. Run under cool water, and it should be better.

[Chrissy]

 

But burnishing the nib is 1000x more involved than just heat setting the feed. You'd need tools that are hard to come by and very specialized. Since this is a Hero, and nothing expensive, I would just get some hot water. Dip the nib/feed part, but not the section into near boiling water for a minute or so, and then press the two together. Run under cool water, and it should be better.

I think this is definitely worth a try

[watch_art]

Danny Fudge uses a a piece of smooth antler to burnish with. I use wooden dowel rods that have been shaped for my needs.

Burnishing doesn't have to be expensive.

[hari317]

I find that I can give a very controlled heat using a steam jet. I use the jet from the snout of a pressure cooker loaded with just water for this purpose. YMMV. Plastic feeds are difficult to shape, the results will vary.