New Here

[WillN]

Hi all,

I'm a long long time fountain pen-ista.

I've been using fountains pens for almost 50 years, with some gaps.

For the longest time I thought I had to spend at least $80 (and this was over 20 years ago).

I like messing about with Nemosines, I think they have the most useful calligraphy nib for non-calligraphers.

I used to use Pelikans, but found they were too easy to lose with their soft weak clips. The cheap ones leak, the expensive ones jump out of your pocket.

Lately I've been using TWSBI, my current go to is the Eco EF nib,

Platinum Preppys and Varsitys are great pens.

After the Preppy nibs I don't think anyone makes a better nibs right out of the box than Pilot, but they don't hold much ink.

I'm both addicted to and often flummoxed by Noodlers Ink.

 

What I can offer:

1. I'm working on a Preppy eye-dropper conversion. (All conversions to eye-droppers end up leaky. I've decided to see if I can solve this.)

2. Cleaning. Well, my quick field fix for a clogged and skipping pen is to use a Plackers flossing stick. Lay it on paper, press the nib on top, don't floss too aggressively.

3. Notebooks. Here I might actually have something. I write a lot. What I've come up with is a letter sized (A4) notebook, 100 sheets, 200 numbered pages. The way the notebook works is I'm always writing on the right page. When I reach page 100 I flip it over re-insert it into the folder cover and continue writing page 101--200. (So as you look at a filled notebook opened up. The writing on the left side is upside down. )

I've designed page lines and dots in Illustrator, added the image to Filemaker Pro for page numbering, and can share it as a pdf, print two sides... (If you have an idea for a line or dot design pattern, spacing... I can probably make you a pdf likety-split. If you live in the civilized world I can make it A4)

I've got a bootleg method of using hot glue sticks and manilla file folders to create glue binding that works pretty good. (I rough up the edge of the paper, squiggle on some hot glue, put a file folder on top and then iron it flat with a standard clothes iron). Works pretty good. (I've made and used at least ten now)

If you take a lot notes, write a lot, I don't think there's a more useful cheaper option. The only thing commercial notebooks do better is slicker thinner pages.

If my messages are too long, I'm not a troll, just procrastinating doing something else.

Will

[jar]

Welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell.

[ThomasB]

Hello and welcome from Baton Rouge, Louisiana...Enjoy your time here

[AmandaW]

If my messages are too long, I'm not a troll, just procrastinating doing something else.

 

Uh oh.

[OCArt]

Welcome to our little corner of the universe from a pen user in San Diego. I like your notebook idea!

[fjoly79]

I love your intro! especially notebooks. I'm curious about eye-droppers: would be great to see you succeed, although to be honest since I like changing ink colours often, I wouldn't use one...

Welcome to FPN, and please continue to share your experience with the rest of us!

Francois

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! Glad to have you as a member!!

[mitto]

Greetings and welcome to FPN.

[Wahl]

Hi Will

[Sasha Royale]

Welcome, Will !

 

I think we are from the same epoc . (I am University of Maryland -- class of '71.) My first fountain pen was the Sheaffer cartridge pen -- clear barrel, with two cartridges, on a blister card @ 79¢ .

Inexpensive is not the same as "cheap". Visit Ebay. Risk $1 on one of these.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cheap-Medium-Nib-Fountain-Pen-Black-Body-For-School-Teacher-Student/182641507679?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

 

Your narrative was exactly the correct length. I, too, am a procrastinator . . . . , but we'll talk about that later.

Write with joy.

[PenChalet]

Welcome to the Fountain Pen Network! We're glad to have you with us!

[WillN]

Thanks all, U of M? me too. Michigan 79,

Sheaffer! I'd completely forgotten. That was my starter pen too! It's funny I remember the cartridges more than the pen. Of course I refilled them.

 

First report on my eye dropper experiment: Flexible caulking seems to work pretty good. I'm using GE 100% Silicone 30 year.... (they all say the same stuff). IT's in a 2.8 fl oz (82.8 mL) plastic tube. Cost about $7. I think anything like this will work the same. What I like about this 'toothpaste' tube is that I opened it more than a few years ago, but it hasn't drie up.

The first Preppy barrel had two hairline cracks, none near the ink. I cleaned it, caulked it, screwed it together, let it sit for 20 hours. Caulking didn't matter, still seeped ink. I swapped out barrels with another Preppy, but didn't change the caulk. Seems to be sealed after 20 more hours, including 3 hours of writing with it. The caulking stays flexible, and is probably forming a thread length seal.

The caulking I used is clear so I can't see much. When I used the Teflon tape I could see the ink slowly working it's way through the white tape. If I have some white silicone caulking like this I'll try that. I don't consider this a solved problem until I can refill a pen multiple times without having to replace the caulking. The caulking didn't keep the barrel from screwing on and off. (which is good, but also begs the question why did it stick to the base and not the barrel?)

This may also indicate that this type of caulking may be more useful than grease as a general sealant.

 

 

 

Welcome, Will !

 

I think we are from the same epoc . (I am University of Maryland -- class of '71.) My first fountain pen was the Sheaffer cartridge pen -- clear barrel, with two cartridges, on a blister card @ 79¢ .

Inexpensive is not the same as "cheap". Visit Ebay. Risk $1 on one of these.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cheap-Medium-Nib-Fountain-Pen-Black-Body-For-School-Teacher-Student/182641507679?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

 

Your narrative was exactly the correct length. I, too, am a procrastinator . . . . , but we'll talk about that later.

Write with joy.

[Chrissy]

Hello Will and welcome to FPN.

[JWil]

Welcome from CA

[Henricum_Tropen]

Hello and welcome to FPN, from Cape Town, South Africa.