Ink Flows And Blobs On Paper

[gerigo]

Hey all

 

An eyedropper newbie seeking advice.

 

I recently acquired a very early Waterman eyedropper that drips ink from the nib, so much so that it blobs on paper. What does this mean about the pen? It's not a safety filler so it does not have any seals.

[terim]

Ah, the fun of eyedroppers!

 

Does the situation vary based on how full the barrel is with ink? You may see some improvement using one of the filling techniques that are described at various places here on FPN.

 

Otherwise ...

 

First make sure that the barrel threads are adequately greased and make a good seal. Before you do, say a little prayer that this is the cause, because it is the easiest thing to do aside from changing inks. Can I assume you tried different inks?

 

Next easiest is making sure the nib and feed are pushed in all the way and not letting too much air back into the barrel.

 

If that failed, I would heat set the nib and feed to see if a more cozy fit would help. Then pull the nib and feed and re-set them.

 

If none of this works, there are more complicated techniques involving modifications to the feed, but I'm only familiar with those in theory.

 

Good luck!

Teri

[gerigo]

Thanks so much for the suggestions.

 

What's the secret or the technical explanation behind the silicone grease on the threads?

 

Also I know the very basics of heat setting a feed based on experience from Noodler's pens. Is heat setting such an old pen also the same?

[terim]

If you have an imperfect seal, air gets pulled into the system and allows too much ink to be released. Silicone grease helps create a good seal.

 

Sorry, I don't know what they are recommending over at Noodlers.....

 

TERI

[Alex2014]

Usually, an eyedropper filler blobs when there is no enough ink into the barrel. If there are not ink leakings through the junction between the barrel and the section, it means that the seal is OK. Fill the barrel with ink to see if the ED still blobs. If it blobs, verify the distance between the nib and the feed. Try to introduce a piece of paper in that gap. If you can do it, maybe the feed must be re-shaped. You should heat the feed+nib at 60-65 deg. C (keeping some minutes in hot water, i.e.), and then press with your fingers the feed against the nib. This operation had to be repeated until the gap decreases.