Ultrasonic cleaner and MB piston filler

[psychobabble]

I just got an ultrasonic cleaner to clean the nib section on my c/c fountain pens but wanted to put my 146 and 149 in there as well for cleaning. Does anyone have experience using an ultrasonic cleaner for their piston fillers? I don't want to damage them if it is not meant for that..

 

When I clean my 146s and 149s by hand, I don't immerse them entirely, only the nib end. I don't let water get into the threaded area of the piston. To use cleaner, it's easier to put the whole pen in, but the instructions show you can leave part of anything you are cleaning above water if it's too big to fit entirely into the cleaner. Just wanted others' experience. Thanks in advance.

[Sunflowers]

I will be very interested in the replies to your very good question.

When I went to the Philly pen show, Mike Masuyama did use an ultrasonic cleaner on my MB nib-- but only after he had removed it from the pen.

[DetlevCM]

Regularly - I just make sure I hold the pen so that the back section is not below the water.

 

The key part if really the nib & feed -> these can be easily immersed in water without immersing the whole pen.

[pavoni]

I too am very interested in how to use an ultrasonic cleaner. Most of my pens are piston-types but I will certainly buy one of these machines if it doesn't require removing the nibs.

 

Currently I flush my pens on every refill. I soak the nib and feeder, water line kissing the bottom of the section for 12 hours, then dry the same area wrapped in kitchen towel, again for 12 hours, before refilling.

 

How often would you use this ultrasonic cleaner?

 

Pavoni

[DetlevCM]

I too am very interested in how to use an ultrasonic cleaner. Most of my pens are piston-types but I will certainly buy one of these machines if it doesn't require removing the nibs.

 

Currently I flush my pens on every refill. I soak the nib and feeder, water line kissing the bottom of the section for 12 hours, then dry the same area wrapped in kitchen towel, again for 12 hours, before refilling.

 

How often would you use this ultrasonic cleaner?

 

Pavoni

 

I just use an ultrasonic cleaner when my pen starts to write too dryly (Montblanc Midnight Blue ink) or alternatively when I swap inks.

 

-> Cleaning time: At it's worst still less than 10 minutes in the actual ultrasonic bath, it will depend "on the case", you'll see yourself if you get one.

 

On a side note - to the above posters too - you do not need to hold the pen vertically in an ultrasonic cleaner, you can hold it at an angle so that the nib & feed are immersed and the back end isn't.

[Miranda]

I just put the whole pen in and not for more than about three minutes unless it's a particularly stubborn stain. The ultrasonic cleaner is safe for many pen materials. There are numerous other threads that discuss this, so perhaps do a search for more reliable information than mine.

[psychobabble]

Thanks for everyone's input. The cleaner came with a basket that I will use to just immerse the nib section so water won't get into the back side. Off to cleaning!

[sarahfar]

I used too all the time. I've become a little more hesitant especially with pens with a lot of seals and resin. I have a pretty powerful ultra sonic and they do release ink, but notice when the experts clean a pen in an ultrasonic a lot of the time, they completely take it part and to me seem to using lower power units. They are great for metals, but I would very cautious with rubbers, and resins.

[DetlevCM]

Thanks for everyone's input. The cleaner came with a basket that I will use to just immerse the nib section so water won't get into the back side. Off to cleaning!

 

I'd suggest not using the basket and holding then pen -> more effective.

 

I used too all the time. I've become a little more hesitant especially with pens with a lot of seals and resin. I have a pretty powerful ultra sonic and they do release ink, but notice when the experts clean a pen in an ultrasonic a lot of the time, they completely take it part and to me seem to using lower power units. They are great for metals, but I would very cautious with rubbers, and resins.

 

More because they can.

There is no reason why rubbers or resins should have an issue in an Ultrasonic cleaner - all that happens, is that the ultrasound creates point specific large pressures and that dislodges any loose material, e.g. ink.

They are used for glasses in Germany too -> very, very effective.

 

Hard Rubber shouldn't be immersed in water if I remember correctly -> so that's a material exception, but the newer stuff that's used as seals won't matter.

Resin, again - it won't care unless it's actually cracked - which a normal pen isn't.

[perdu]

Never done it but I can't imaging amercing it would have any ill effects provided you do not use ultrasonic cleaning fluids that could damage the seals, just good ol fashion water.

Edited March 19, 2011 by perdu