nib cleaning

[LDB415]

Is it ok to soak loose nibs in a cup of plain water? I know you don't want to get the lever wet due to potential rusting issues but is there any reason just a loose nib couldn't soak?

[ZeissIkon]

Is it ok to soak loose nibs in a cup of plain water? I know you don't want to get the lever wet due to potential rusting issues but is there any reason just a loose nib couldn't soak?

 

No reason that I can think of -- if necessary, you should even be okay using ammonia at the usual 1 part household clear ammonia to 10 parts water. There are only three parts in an Estie nib unit: the stainless nib, made of some magical alloy that never, ever rusts (better than what I have for tableware), the feed, made of some sort of injection molded plastic, and the collar, made of a different injection molded plastic. None of them should be bothered by water, as they'll all touch ink; I'd bet none are bothered by ammonia, since many inks in the 1950s were as alkaline as the above weak ammonia solution.

[OcalaFlGuy]

No reason either you can't blow some water thru from the section end to flush out too. Some use the bulb from a kiddie ear flush. I'm too frugal to have gotten around to that yet. I use my mouth.

 

 

If you use MY idea, it IS however preferable that you NOT blow the water thru just after you've been eating potato chips, crackers or popcorn.

 

Sure Leo, soak away. I personally don't think the ammonia is needed (but at that strength won't hurt) unless you are having issues with the nib or it's clogged with ink. If you use it be sure and get the plain (not sudsy) flabor and be sure you rinse it good. If not, it'll do weird things to your ink flow.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Joe in Seattle]

I've also soaked in the water/amonia mix in my ultrasonic cleaner .................... works wonders. You can see lots of tendrils of ink coming out of a nib which had flushed "clean" again and again.

[LDB415]

These would be just a currently used nib being swapped for another nib and I'd rince it and then put it in the cup of water to soak in case my rinsing left any ink. I have 2 pen bodies I like using and 3 nibs I like using so far so now and then I swap one out and want to be sure I get it rinsed clean.

[ZeissIkon]

Sounds like you need to buy another pen...

[LDB415]

I've got the pen but am waiting on my ink samples to arrive so I can choose a color for it. I don't really want to try changing colors in a given pen. That's what new pens are for isn't it?

[ZeissIkon]

I've got the pen but am waiting on my ink samples to arrive so I can choose a color for it. I don't really want to try changing colors in a given pen. That's what new pens are for isn't it?

 

Well, yes, though it's not that hard to change colors in an Estie -- flush carefully, then unscrew the nib and flush the sac and section without the nib while you soak or sonicate the nib unit; dry by your chosen method, and reink with the new color. Easier than most lever fillers, not much more work than a cartridge pen.

[LDB415]

Well, yes, though it's not that hard to change colors in an Estie -- flush carefully, then unscrew the nib and flush the sac and section without the nib while you soak or sonicate the nib unit; dry by your chosen method, and reink with the new color. Easier than most lever fillers, not much more work than a cartridge pen.

 

You have a point there but that's what new pens are for isn't it? :D

Edited August 14, 2009 by LDB415

[ZeissIkon]

You have a point there but that's what new pens are for isn't it? :D

 

If you can afford 'em, yep... :roflmho:

 

No more Esties for me for a while, though -- I just pulled the trigger on a Sheaffer Imperial (about as much as two Esties, but my budget is tight). Maybe when I get my tax refund (that's only about six months, right?).

[OcalaFlGuy]

I've got the pen but am waiting on my ink samples to arrive so I can choose a color for it. I don't really want to try changing colors in a given pen. That's what new pens are for isn't it?

 

Well, yes, though it's not that hard to change colors in an Estie -- flush carefully, then unscrew the nib and flush the sac and section without the nib while you soak or sonicate the nib unit; dry by your chosen method, and reink with the new color. Easier than most lever fillers, not much more work than a cartridge pen.

 

I have a couple syringes with blunt "needles" that I don't have to worry about puncturing anything with. I haven't ever clocked myself, but I'll bet using the above

I could get an Estie COMPETELY CLEANED OF ANY INK TRACE in less than 3 min. maybe even 2.

 

I'd go so far as say there's not many pens you can get AS clean AS fast as an Estie with a Re-new point.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Edited August 14, 2009 by OcalaFlGuy

[Bipedallou]

Is it ok to soak loose nibs in a cup of plain water? I know you don't want to get the lever wet due to potential rusting issues but is there any reason just a loose nib couldn't soak?

 

 

I would just like to add that "plain water" might better be "distilled water." In Phoenix our water is loaded with calcium, which will remain after the water evaporates. It clogs faucets and water pipe valves so you can imagine what it would do to the narrow passage of a fountain pen nib feed. I use only distilled water to clean my pens, and when changing the nibs of my Esterbrooks, after thoroughly flushing and cleaning I leave the removed nib assembly to soak in the water for a day before air drying on a paper towel. Since I haven't had any problems using this method I'll stick to it.

 

Lou