Anatomy Of A Feed?

September 17, 2012

I was not able to find a thread covering this question pertaining to the "anatomy" of the feed. Specifically, there are two slots or channels running lengthwise on the feed. One is the air slot and the other the ink slot. Which is which? I have watched a YouTube video made by Nathan Tardiff that discusses this question but the lighting was poor and I was unable to see what he was talking about.

I am guessing that the ink slot or slit is that groove which is found on the side of the feed which is next to the nib. And that then the air slot or slit is opposite this. But I am not sure. So I thought I'd better get that understood first.

The reason I am delving into this question of the feed goes back to the video prepared by Mr. Tardiff. In this video he discusses how to increase the ink flow to one of his Noodler's flex pens. I have one of these pens which is not working well. The amount of ink flowing to the nib is not keeping up with the demands of the nib, resulting in railroading when I try to use the flex function.

Mr. Tardiff shows how to enlarge the slots, both of them, with a Dremel tool. I don't have one of those. But I have been told by Richard Bender that a brass shim can be used for this purpose. I procured one of these packets of brass shims in the thicknesses recommended. But now that I have them and have looked closely at the feed thru a dissecting binocular microscope, I cannot be sure of what I am looking at and how to use one of the shims (the 0.005" one) to increase the size of the channels.

This may be too complicated a subject for this forum. If so please let me know. However, the alternative would be to seek out a pen technician and that is unreasonable given the value of the pen involved. This seems to be something that Mr. Tardiff believes the owner of the pen can tackle.

Thanks for any help,

Breck

September 22, 2012

I was not able to find a thread covering this question pertaining to the "anatomy" of the feed. Specifically, there are two slots or channels running lengthwise on the feed. One is the air slot and the other the ink slot.

Not exactly. Feed anatomy and function are discussed in Feeds: Revolution, Evolution, and Devolution on my site.

September 22, 2012

I was not able to find a thread covering this question pertaining to the "anatomy" of the feed. Specifically, there are two slots or channels running lengthwise on the feed. One is the air slot and the other the ink slot.
Not exactly. Feed anatomy and function are discussed in Feeds: Revolution, Evolution, and Devolution on my site.

Ah! thanks as usual. Oh and by the way those Mustangs are awesome!! Scary and as tempermental as a young mustang, but awesome.