twsbi vacuum filling system fountain pen project

[speedy]

We should get all the parts ready for testing by end of this month, then debug.... It will take a few months more before ready for sale.

[riff raff]

Am I missing something? You want the clip to line up with the nib when the cap is affixed? Loosen the clip and re-orient it.

[khymeera]

We should get all the parts ready for testing by end of this month, then debug.... It will take a few months more before ready for sale.

 

few...MONTHS?!

[jniforat]

We should get all the parts ready for testing by end of this month, then debug.... It will take a few months more before ready for sale.

 

few...MONTHS?!

 

 

although a few months seems like a lot of time, think of it like this: now we all have more time to buy colorful Diamonds hopefully with Ti nibs and to save up to buy multiple vac-fills! score!!!!

[sygyzy]

I think it would take 5 minutes of time for the manufacturing division to adjust their tool/machine to thread the cap/body so they match up.

 

I know you're not trying to achieve it, but that is an enormous level of nitpickery. It would require having a thread with a single channel, which to seat as firmly on the pen would take many, many twists-- Waterman manages to get the Phileas point to line up with the "shin-guard", but you don't have to undo the section every time you want to write. Without this, you've got as many possible facings of the point as there are channels in the thread. It would also take some kind of registration point on the feed and section to make sure they're in alignment, which would be pretty low key, but would also introduce a little more time in both machining and assembly, which would run counter to the apparent TWSBI goal of keeping the pen within range of the common man's purse.

 

Sorry, I am clearly not a manufacturer so excuse my naivity but I am not followinging your logic. Where the cap ends up when it's done screwing is simply a result of where the threads start and end. Instead of randomly threading the cap and body, simply rotate the threading so you control where the cap sits.

 

Do you have a Lamy Safari? This is not exactly the same but uncap it and take a look at how the grip section and the rest of the body line up. When you screw it tight, the ink window is exactly in line with the nib. Also, the curvy smooth section of the grip is along this line. On each side of the smooth section are the two flats were the meaty parts of your bottom knuckles rest when you're wring. The pen costs less than $30. It's doable.

[scrawlhand]

 

Sorry, I am clearly not a manufacturer so excuse my naivity but I am not followinging your logic. Where the cap ends up when it's done screwing is simply a result of where the threads start and end. Instead of randomly threading the cap and body, simply rotate the threading so you control where the cap sits.

 

Do you have a Lamy Safari? This is not exactly the same but uncap it and take a look at how the grip section and the rest of the body line up. When you screw it tight, the ink window is exactly in line with the nib. Also, the curvy smooth section of the grip is along this line. On each side of the smooth section are the two flats were the meaty parts of your bottom knuckles rest when you're wring. The pen costs less than $30. It's doable.

 

I don't know if you observed this, but the threads on the Lamy Safari Section have two channels (never heard that expression before Ernst called it that way, but it makes sense). Take a look at the Lamy Logo at the end on the barrel, it can end up on the top or on the bottom, depending on where to start to screw the barrel on.

Now, screw-on caps usually have even more channels (I counted four on my Pelikan) so that you need less turns to screw them on. That means, the nib can end up in four different angles in realation to the clip.

 

Steve

[riff raff]

OMG! My Estie J has four channels, too! And the clip STILL doesn't line up with the fill-lever! :bonk:

 

I'm sending it back to Esterbrook first thing tomorrow morning!

[Lloyd]

Not all of us WANT the nib to end up under the clip (i.e. obscured by the clip when capped). My nib is ~120 deg from the clip & I like it this way.

[guild]

How about making the cap a little longer, thereby putting the threads farther up the barrel and out of the way; it wouldn't take much. OR, leave the cap the same length but move the caps threads closer to its end. This would again move the pens threads farther up the body. I find the threads on my Pel 400 and MB 344 a bit annoying.

Edited August 20, 2010 by guild

[duna]

We should get all the parts ready for testing by end of this month, then debug.... It will take a few months more before ready for sale.

 

few...MONTHS?!

 

that's pretty fast. Responsible manifacturers after repeated tests solve small and big problems arised, this often requires making new molds for some parts (which will require new tests), change slightly some sizes and tolerances in sourced parts (more tests when delivered), redefine some finish (more tests), and all of this trying to emulate all possible latitude of working environments (different inks, different temperatures, etc). Speedy is pretty serious regarding these issues and the good result achieved on current first 300 pre-production (or first production batch) Diamond 530 is a clear indicator of the good final quality. For what I know only problem so far with the 530 is a small problem with the 1.3 piston, brilliantly addressed, so the manifacturer's process appear to be pretty sound up to now. Rushing into production will cause outcries and very big problems.

[Ernst Bitterman]

Do you have a Lamy Safari? This is not exactly the same but uncap it and take a look at how the grip section and the rest of the body line up. When you screw it tight, the ink window is exactly in line with the nib. Also, the curvy smooth section of the grip is along this line. On each side of the smooth section are the two flats were the meaty parts of your bottom knuckles rest when you're wring

 

I used the Waterman Phileas as my example, but this is good too-- yes, the Lamy section orients to the body in a predicable way, but it's in one of two ways. If you don't mind the point being up or down under the clip, I suppose it's possible to amend the TWSBI production thus. However, since it's a non-functional amendment (whereas Lamy has chosen by shaping its barrel so to make the alignment a functional requirement), and at this point would call from some retooling (the expense of which I don't know, but more than 0), why press on it?

[watch_art]

yeah, i couldn't care less how my nib lines up under the clip.

[jniforat]

yeah, i couldn't care less how my nib lines up under the clip.

 

 

ditto x 10^10, that's "like" purposely trying to give speedy a hard time!

[sygyzy]

I don't know if you observed this, but the threads on the Lamy Safari Section have two channels (never heard that expression before Ernst called it that way, but it makes sense). Take a look at the Lamy Logo at the end on the barrel, it can end up on the top or on the bottom, depending on where to start to screw the barrel on.

Now, screw-on caps usually have even more channels (I counted four on my Pelikan) so that you need less turns to screw them on. That means, the nib can end up in four different angles in realation to the clip.

 

Steve

 

I didn't observe it until you pointed it out. It just so happens I am writing with my Al Star Safari today. But you know what? Great. I would be happy if the TWSBI worked in this fashion. At least 90 degrees or 270 degrees makes sense. Some arbitrary one like 27 doesn't.

 

It was just a suggestion guys, nothing to get all worked up about. Speedy can take it into consideration and implement it or not. I thought one of the appeals of these TWSBI FP's is the community involvement and feedback process. In numerous pen reviews on this forum, people point out how they appreciate details such as in the packaging, warranty card, fit and finish of the pen, how things are aligned, etc. But when I point it out, it somehow offends.

[sygyzy]

I used the Waterman Phileas as my example, but this is good too-- yes, the Lamy section orients to the body in a predicable way, but it's in one of two ways. If you don't mind the point being up or down under the clip, I suppose it's possible to amend the TWSBI production thus. However, since it's a non-functional amendment (whereas Lamy has chosen by shaping its barrel so to make the alignment a functional requirement), and at this point would call from some retooling (the expense of which I don't know, but more than 0), why press on it?

 

Ernst, not pressing. Just thought it'd be a nice touch and would show some focus on detail. I am not holding a knife to anyone's throat here.

Edited August 20, 2010 by sygyzy

[riff raff]

This is, of course, only relevant with a demonstrator, yes?

[Feanor]

I'd just like to point out that the current TWSBI (diamond 530) has two aligned channels in the cap threads, so fully screwed on, the clip lines up perfectly with the nib (obscuring it), or perfectly opposite the nib, leaving the nib visible. And I've seen someone else comment on this, so it's not just how mine turned out. Whether you like visible or aligned nibs, TWSBI already has the cap threading aligned perfectly.

[Lloyd]

Maybe 27° isn't arbitrary but is from Feng Shui?

[Ernst Bitterman]

{Many words which may be replaced with RahrRahrRahr, finishing with}..., why press on it?

 

Ernst, not pressing. Just thought it'd be a nice touch and would show some focus on detail. I am not holding a knife to anyone's throat here.

 

...And I've been unnecessarily prickly about it, for reasons I don't quite comprehend but almost certainly not related to the matter at hand. I've been flirting with incivility, and should apologize and withdraw for a while.

 

{sound of footsteps receding and door quietly opening and closing} :embarrassed_smile:

[jmbd7h3]

I realize speedy must be long into the production process and thus not looking for more input. However, with respect to a future model, may I suggest a magnetic cap?

 

The overall lines can be improved as well as the comfort of the grip if threads need not be integrated into the design. Additionally, a magnetic cap lends to a reduced time requirement when removing the pen and posting it, which is very helpful in a work environment.