Pair Of Custom Cartridge Roller Balls

[3rdlakerobert]

A client from Australia asked for these, and coincidentally I had just completed one for myself. I was impressed with the smoothness using Private Reserve Velvet Black cartridges. In fact, ink flow is so juicy, the usual gray-black of this ink looked almost as dark as my fave--Noodler's Heart of Darkness.

 

These pens allow quite a short section and cap (yes, the cap posts). I make the barrels long enough to take an International long cartridge like the Private Reserve Maxi, or alternatively two short cartridges for those who want to know when they're halfway through their ink supply.

 

The cartridge roller ball nibs (I shouldn't call them nibs, should I?) are made by Schmidt and sold by Mike and Linda at Indy-Pen-Dance. I got the AA-37 Green and Black acrylic blanks from Ed and Dawn at Exotic Blanks.

 

Overall length is 5"--this is all I know. I sent them off hurriedly and neglected to take measurements.

 

Comments and questions welcome. Thanks!

 

 

 

 

[InvisibleMan]

These are cool! So, are the nibs or nosecones or whatever they're called threaded on?

Edited September 24, 2012 by InvisibleMan

[3rdlakerobert]

These are cool! So, are the nibs or nosecones or whatever they're called threaded on?

 

Yes, these nosecones (that's a better term) have 6.4 x .5 threads like the Schmidt #5 nib holders. You do the drilling and tapping of the section just as you would a nib section, then shape it to the nosecone. The black parts you see in the photos are the nosecones.

Edited September 24, 2012 by Robert111

[Indy_Pen_Dance]

Excellent looking pens!

 

It's great to see these "after" they are done and not just parts in our stock area! LOL.

[duncsuss]

Sweet lines, I love the way they look both capped and posted.

[trickster]

I can confirm that these little beauties are 13.3cm long.

[Scriptorium Pens]

Really good looking pens! I need to learn how to make these for family and friends who keep asking if I can make them a "normal" pen.

 

I like the way the grip section tapers down to the point. Are these the type of roller balls that need to be replaced every now and then?

[3rdlakerobert]

Really good looking pens! I need to learn how to make these for family and friends who keep asking if I can make them a "normal" pen.

 

I like the way the grip section tapers down to the point. Are these the type of roller balls that need to be replaced every now and then?

 

I really don't know Renee, but replacement would only be a matter of screwing in a new one at a cost from Mike of about $2.75.

 

http://www.indy-pen-dance.com/cartridge-rollerball-system.html

 

I have cleaned them out with a bulb syringe to change inks. You have to remove the roller ball unit from the section when you do this, and the water/ink will shoot out a small hole in the side.

Edited September 25, 2012 by Robert111

[trickster]

I think the fact that it has moving parts -- a rollerball tip is essentially a tiny ball sitting in a cup -- makes failure inevitable. Either wear-and-tear will take it out, or dropping the pen on its tip, or using excessive pressure; it's just a matter of time.

 

I hear the Visconti Eco-roller (and some Stipula and Delta models) uses a Schmidt PRS tip just like this one, so the reviews for these pens on FPN would be relevant.

[Indy_Pen_Dance]

The Cartridge Rollerball System is considered by Schmidt as being "disposable". THAT BEING SAID - Schmidt, sometime a while ago, posted the specs on how many linear feet of (continuous) writing you should be able to get before wearing this out. It was some mega big number which I don't recall specifically, but was something like 20,000 linear feet. That is a lot of writing. When we first started carrying these Mike put one in his custom turned pen and used it every day for weeks, he also left it UNCAPPED on his desk and never once had a problem with it starting up or writing. He never actually wore this out and ultimately just put his FP back together because that is his preference.

 

I would also point out that extreme pressure, dropping the pen on it's tip or failing to provide care for the pen (ie - cleaning etc) will damage ANY pen - especially the most expensive gold nib you have in your collection - at least this is a pretty easy and inexpensive replacement and provides an alternative for those who do not have the option of writing with a FP for everything they do, but want to be able to use the great inks that are available.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Please feel free to post here or contact us if you have questions about these and we'll be glad to try to answer for you!

[trickster]

The "extreme pressure" bit comes from having to make impressions through up to 8 sheets of paper simultaneously, e.g. with consignment notes. There's no way I'm even going to try that with the nailiest of fountain pen nibs, but ballpoints and rollerballs are fair game.

 

So it is lovely that I can simply swap out a broken Schmidt unit and carry on as usual. No more throwaway cartridge rollers for me -- I love my Schneider INX, but when it eventually fails I'll be tossing my $15-odd bucks worth of pen into the recycling bin. I expect, however, to be using Robert111's pens for many years.

[3rdlakerobert]

Someone on another board pointed out that the small hole in the side of the nose cone is actually to allow you to draw ink into a converter-equipped pen. Makes sense!

[drgoretex]

Hey, cool pens, Robert! Very nicely done. I have had a few people asking for 'normal' pens (as they were referred to above) so I may yet have a go at this.

 

Thanks for posting, and for citing sources!

 

Ken