Cleaning A Feeder Blockage

[Baenlynn]

So this is my pen, a woodcraft pen kit I bought from an acquaintance in the US a couple of years back. Only, due to lack of knowledge and inadequate cleaning on my part the feeder assembly has become clogged up. I've had it soaking in ammonia for four days now, and even forced a fair amount of liquid through it using the ink cartridge but the main channel in the feed is still blocked. It hasn't discoloured the ammonia solution in two days and since yesterday it's been blotting out clear whenever I shake it. But still, the ink won't feed on its own, and when I advance the cartridge manually it just seeps everywhere.

 

 

Does anyone know if this particular style of nib/feeder assembly can be further disassembled and cleaned, or failing that, what else can I use to get at whatever is still inside the feeder assembly?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

~ Baenlynn

[mhguda]

Is that a Schmidt nib assembly? I know they do come apart, but not easily.

But before you go that way, if you have something that could force water through it with a little more force than the converter, that would help. Possibly an ear bulb (found in the baby ware part of drugstores, for example) that is used to clean baby's ears. Or one of those big syringes from ink refill kits, with the needle removed.

Fit the opening of the thing containing the water around the feeder opening where the ink is supposed to come in, and force the water through. You might use a little of the ammonia solution for that as well. After the obstruction has gone, don't forget to rinse with clean water, or your ink will gush!

It would probably also help to reassemble the front section, for easier gripping, before you do this.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

And, oh!, welcome to FPN.

[Baenlynn]

I don't believe it's a Schmidt, but it certainly resembles a schmidt. Here's a better view of the top of the nib

 

Near as I can tell it's jut a generic nib assembly that resembles a schmidt, all I know for sure is that it came with the kit and was assembled into the finished product. If worst comes to worst I can always order a schmidt as a replacement. In the meantime I'll try the syringe. . . They're gonna start thinking I'm crazy down at the local pharmacy.

 

"I need some children's ibuprofen."

"How old is your child, do you know if they're allergic?"

"It's for a rat, actually."

". . ."

 

 

"I need a syringe to flush my fountain pen."

". . ."

[Luma]

If you have a broken violin or guitar string, you can use it to gently push gunk out of the feed. Use the smallest diameter.

[TSherbs]

I don't believe it's a Schmidt, but it certainly resembles a schmidt. Here's a better view of the top of the nib

nibt.jpg

 

Near as I can tell it's jut a generic nib assembly that resembles a schmidt, all I know for sure is that it came with the kit and was assembled into the finished product. If worst comes to worst I can always order a schmidt as a replacement. In the meantime I'll try the syringe. . . They're gonna start thinking I'm crazy down at the local pharmacy.

 

"I need some children's ibuprofen."

"How old is your child, do you know if they're allergic?"

"It's for a rat, actually."

". . ."

 

 

"I need a syringe to flush my fountain pen."

". . ."

haha

 

definitely try the bulb syringe

[Baenlynn]

If you have a broken violin or guitar string, you can use it to gently push gunk out of the feed. Use the smallest diameter.

I don't have either of those, but I can get ahold of some ultra-fine stainless steel mesh from work. The threads from that would be ideal.

[ac12]

Personally, I would try forcing the water from the nib out the back of the nib assembly.

The reason is, if there is a chunk of "stuff" in the ink channel, pushing it forward will just get it stuck in the front of the ink channel. Because the ink channel ends at the nib, but in a way that liquid goes out, but not solid chunks.

Having said that, getting a bulb over the nib will be tricky.

 

What kind/brand ink were you using before?

 

You might try a technical pen cleaner.

 

Have you tried contacting Woodcraft to see if you can buy a new nib assembly?

[Baenlynn]

I was just using black Parker Quink, it was the one most readily available. I could probably get some clear plastic tubing and hook that up to a syringe to force liquid back up through the nib. Failing that I suppose I could use the converter to suck liquid through the nib assembly, it'd just take longer to work.

[mhguda]

IMO the converter does not provide enough pressure. Bulb syringe or ink filler syringe would be my option. And yes, you could work it from both ends.

[Baenlynn]

A picture is worth a thousand words (or one in this case)

 

Actually managed to get the nib assembly apart. Then I actually managed to get it back together without turning my pen into a stain dispenser. Now I just need better paper and an ink that is more me. . .

 

I was a much more practical person two days ago, what happened?

[mhguda]

Congratulations and happy hunting...

[ac12]

yay

[cattar]

Lots of ink reviews here. Perhaps something in green.

[Ron Z]

The nib and feed (note, it's called a feed, not feeder) on the Schmidt, Jowo (prounounced YoVo) and Bock nibs are a simple press fit into the collar. The Schmidt may have a brass band crimped onto the collar to hold the nib in place, but in most cases they can be coaxed out. Never try to knock one out.