Best Technique For Pressing Nibs Into Sections?

[rtrinkner]

(The thread on ultrasonic cleaners has morphed into a thread on pressing nibs into the section. I thought I'd start a new thread for the discussion.)

 

What's the preferred method for returning a nib/feed to its section after cleaning or nib work?

 

I've generally used a folded cloth to help my fingers grasp the nib/feed and then to press it manually into the section. I often use a little sheet of rubber to help hold on to the section.

 

My technique feels like there must be a better way. I'm afraid of using pliers to hold the nib because I fear they might damage the comb of the feed or scratch the nib. On the other hand, I can't fully see what's happening when i use the folded cloth to protect the nib/feed. Often I feel like I could push the nib a bit further into the section if I had a better method or used a dedicated tool, because I can't get enough grip or channel enough force to the nib/feed.

 

In some few instances, I've needed to slightly sand down the girth of the feed so that I can return the nib to its proper depth. I'd prefer not to sand, if there were a better way.

 

So:

 

1. What's the preferred method?

2. What tools should be used?

3. Where are these tools available?

 

Thanks,

 

Richard

[tmenyc]

For me, and assuming you're talking about getting a nib and feed BACK in to a section they've filled before, I use heat, watch the mark I put on the section to match the top of the nib before it's knocked out, and use my thumb and first finger. I don't use a tool for this because I can feel the progress occurring more readily with my fingers, it's not going to slip or be gripped wrong, and with my fingers I'm less likely to force something into a spot it really doesn't want to go into. If that doesn't work, I'll take a drop of dish detergent and lubricate the feed and the inner surface of the section, and that usually helps just enough. I've found that it should be a relatively tough job with my fingers, but it works -- if it's easy the feed is too loose or the site is wrong. The heat and the mark are both really important.

Clearly, with a nib and feed that are new to a section, one has to also ask whether there is a fit, a whole additional level of complexity.

 

Tim

[Chrissy]

I also recommend the use of a drop of dish detergent. Or if you have an ultrasonic cleaner, sometimes the liquid in there is slightly lubricating enough.

 

I use the Goulet's rubber nib gripper.

 

With a Waterman Phileas, you need to use pliers and a thick wad of rubber or kitchen roll, plus a drop of dish detergent

[adyf]

Perhaps a pair of these with rubber padded jaws from pentooling.com might help:

 

http://www.pentooling.com/Images/NF%20B.JPG

[rtrinkner]

Does anybody have experience with the pentooling nib pliers pictured above? Since I usually end up using a fair amount of force for the stubborn nibs, I fear that with one slip I'd smash the pliers into the section. Maybe using them on a nib/feed to insert into a section that is sitting atop a knock-out block would be a good idea.

[3rdlakerobert]

Maybe the pliers are a good method but off the top of my head I'd be reluctant to give up the feel I have with my fingers to gain more pressing force. Intuition tells me reducing the girth of the feed a little by sanding or scraping is safer. I've yet to note a problem from this technique. I can see that lubrication would be very helpful but I'd be concerned about the lubricant's effect on the ink flow, if any. I'd like to hear from the dish soap people about how much experience they've had with this.

 

Oh, and I agree that heat and marking the section are important.

Edited February 26, 2015 by Robert111

[mhosea]

Since I usually end up using a fair amount of force for the stubborn nibs, I fear that with one slip I'd smash the pliers into the section. Maybe using them on a nib/feed to insert into a section that is sitting atop a knock-out block would be a good idea.

I have not used any tools for this, and I'm here to listen, anyway.

 

I'm not a fan of using dish soap in pens. Too much extra junk in it, and I've seen residue come from that which was not easy to clean out.

Edited February 27, 2015 by mhosea

[Chrissy]

Maybe the pliers are a good method but off the top of my head I'd be reluctant to give up the feel I have with my fingers to gain more pressing force. Intuition tells me reducing the girth of the feed a little by sanding or scraping is safer. I've yet to note a problem from this technique. I can see that lubrication would be very helpful but I'd be concerned about the lubricant's effect on the ink flow, if any. I'd like to hear from the dish soap people about how much experience they've had with this.

 

Once you have the nib and feed back in, a good soak in water gets rid of all traces of the dish soap.

 

I would never resort to sanding or scraping the girth of a feed no matter how hard it was to get back in

[Flounder]

I take big macro shots of the nib & feed positions before removal, as the mind can play tricks (was it further in, etc)! Other than that, just the usual, heat and matching them to the cavity shape they set in the section over the preceeding years.

[peterg]

I use my hands and use a twisting motion to find where the feed and nib fit best in the section before pushing home. The feed rarely needs sanding but I do (now) if it is very tight. I split a gold nib trying to get them in recently, so sanding is definitely the cheaper option!

[3rdlakerobert]

Once you have the nib and feed back in, a good soak in water gets rid of all traces of the dish soap.

 

I would never resort to sanding or scraping the girth of a feed no matter how hard it was to get back in

 

You must have reasons.

[Cepasaccus]

I insert nibs+feeds into the section with my fingers (thumb for feed and index for nib) and a piece of bike rubber tube on the nib to improve the grib there. Never sanded a feed.

Edited February 27, 2015 by Cepasaccus

[kirchh]

I've never sanded a feed to fit it back into the section from which it came (if it was the correct feed, of course, and the same nib). I've just not had that much difficulty reinserting one.

 

--Daniel

[FarmBoy]

I've found that it is easier to push a nib and feed into the section from the front than it is to pull them in from the back.

[kirchh]

I've found that it is easier to push a nib and feed into the section from the front than it is to pull them in from the back.

 

Ah, but the secret is that when you pull them, the feed stretches a little and gets smaller in diameter, and it just slips right in.

 

--Daniel

[3rdlakerobert]

Ah, so that expalins why my sections turn in their barrels.

 

So! You didn't tell us you're pushing out the sections, eh Daniel?

[kirchh]

Ah, so that expalins why my sections turn in their barrels.

 

No, silly -- the stretching is elastic, so after you let go, the feed returns to its normal size, and it's nice and snug!

 

So! You didn't tell us you're pushing out the sections, eh Daniel?

 

Well, I actually do sometimes push to remove sections, in two different ways...

 

--Daniel

[FarmBoy]

D-

 

Shhh Trade Secrets...

 

-T

[balson]

Once you have the nib and feed back in, a good soak in water gets rid of all traces of the dish soap.

 

 

 

dish soap is great for many things but it can definitely leave a residue. i often use it to clean paintbrushes and you can really feel it when you clean a brush.