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Hi All, A friend just got me an ultrasonic cleaner, I am wondering if it is safe to use on all pen types and materials? I have a very varied collection from vintage to modern pens, is ultrasonic safe for the following: Vintage ebonite pen body and feeds (100 years old)?Ebonite with urushi finish?Vintage cellulose?Precious resin?Other than just water or water and ammonia or soap and water, is there any other solutions? Are there any dangers that should be avoided? Thank you in advance, Pen Padawan

As I said. The toys are here, I'm ready to put a stubborn Parker 75 nib that I need to take apart through the motions, and am not sure how to proceed. The long story's at https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/336753-parker-75-i-think-i-need-to-remove-the-nib-from-the-feed/ The short version is: I have a Parker 75 nib assembly with serious flow problems that I think I need to take apart, but can't (I've done it before, so this part's not new to me). The working theory is that the nib's glued to the feed with India ink and everything pointed to getting Rapidoeze and soak the nib assembly for 7 to 10 days or to use an ultrasonic cleaner. Being the impatient dude I am, and not wanting to miss an opportunity to rationalize an impulsive purchase, I went for the Rapidoeze AND an ultrasonic cleaner ("I know dear, but this thing can make all your jewlery look like new.") They're both here now, but am not sure of whether just put some Rapidoeze on a shot glass, put the assembly in it, and then get that in the ultrasonic cleaner for x minutes (I don't know how long's recommended), or to just soak in Rapidoeze and then the ultrasonic cleaner, or what. I have some work to do and have to spend time with the women, so I can probably keep myself at bay until tomorrow afternoon. Ideas? Instructions? Should I go with my gut? Thanks! Alex

At the flea market today I bought a typical silver/grey Esterbrook dollar pen. It had what appeared to be some dried ink on the portion of the barrel covered by the cap. No big deal I thought. A little light cleaning in the ultrasonic cleaner would remove it. When I got home I put it in the ultrasonic cleaner and set the timer for 10 minutes. I checked after the cycle was over and found that the water had turned a turquoise color, but the stain was still there. I did not change the water as I typically do, and set the cycle for another 10 minutes. I went back about an hour later to check. The water was much darker and I could not see the parts. I reached in and was shocked to see that the plastic had changed to the uniform teal color you see in the pic below. I wiped the parts down with a cloth, expecting the color to wipe away, but it did not. The entire pen is now stained. However, I quite like the color. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Hi Everyone, About one month ago I purchased my first Parker 51 from a member here on FPN. I was rather ambivalent about the pen at first but I had heard that every collection should have at least one P 51 so I took the plunge and got one. To make a long story short, I absolutely LOVE the pen! I am now hopelessly addicted to P51's and want to add more to my collection! The pen I bought here was already broken down, cleaned and was ready to write when I got it. Over the past week I have purchased two additional P51's off the Bay (probably not the smartest move considering my novice state) and they seemed like a good deal. I have not yet received either pen in the post but I am anticipating having to do some cleaning and set up once they arrive. I have immersed myself in learning here and on other sites about cleaning P51's prior to use. Bruce's "sticky" in this section has been most useful as well as Richard Binder's extraordinary knowledge. My question is: when I receive these pens I have an ultrasonic cleaner. Should I immediately start to clean them or should I attempt to see if they fill and write first? If I did use the ultrasonic do I need to take apart the pen to do an adequate job or could I just put the nib,section and sac, not taken apart, in the cleaner? I have never taken a P51 apart and although it doesn't sound too difficult I would rather avoid it if possible. My track record with things like that usually end up with problems, either broken parts, difficult reassembly, etc. In other words, Murphy's Law usually applies to me. I really want to learn to work on my pens but I'd rather not use P51's for my education in doing so. Jinhao's or the like are more to my comfort level when learning. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!