Pilot eyedropper problems

[IlikeInksandIcannotlie]

So, I received this old pilot eyedropper with a steel nib (stamped 4) today, and I inked it up to test it. The screw cap was very tight. The next time I uncapped the pen, I found quite a bit of ink in the cap and some on the threads of the pen. I did not jolt the pen very much, between the uncappings. Also I did not notice any ink leaking from the join between the barrel and the nib section. Is there any way to stop the ink from spilling out while uncapping, and a way to loosen up the cap? Also, can the nib and feed be pulled out (I ask because it did not budge despite the application of a lot of force)?

[hari317]

Pls post a picture of the pen. Have you applied silicone grease to the section threads? The o ring might have gotten old and hard. Even if you don’t see ink leaking from the section barrel joint, air can enter from there and ink will drip out the path of least resistance ( nib+feed). 

[IlikeInksandIcannotlie]

Sorry I couldn't get clearer pictures. The nib says "Best Quality" , then PILOT, then stamped 4, then Made in.. I can't see any more, and the nib doesn't seem to be coming out even after pulling the nib and feed with quite some force. The feed appears to be the finless 3 channel feed you showed once. A wet feed, though the tine gap makes it nearly useless.

[IlikeInksandIcannotlie]

And I didn't apply silicone grease to the threads, that might be the reason, though it doesn't leak at that join. But yes, you get 3-4 small drops of ink on tapping the back end, even somewhat lightly.

 

 

[IlikeInksandIcannotlie]

Actually you posted a thread about these pens.  fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/68113-pilot-ed-pens-from-the-1970s/?tab=comments#comment-656761

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20India%20Steel/IMG_1866.jpg

 

[hari317]

A tight nib is a very good thing. Don’t try to remove it.  Then you will have difficulty putting it back. Apply silicone grease on the section threads. If you don’t have it use pure Vaseline. No issues on this pen. The cap you mentioned is tight. The plastic could have shrunk with age causing this. Just inspect the cap breather holes to see that they are clear and clean. Let us know after you have greased the section threads. 

[IlikeInksandIcannotlie]

I greased the section threads with some vaseline, will use the pen awhile and see. The breather holes are clear. I greased the cap threads too, but it doesn't remedy the problem completely, so I guess the plastic has shrunk.

 

[IlikeInksandIcannotlie]

Problem seems to be solved. Thank you for helping. Can you suggest an alternative to a brass shim to floss the tines? The writing is a little light right now, and I cannot enjoy the feed's wet flow right now due to the narrow tine gap. Edit: No need, I used some aluminium foil for the job.

 

Edited June 15, 2021 by IlikeInksandIcannotlie

[hari317]

2 hours ago, IlikeInksandIcannotlie said:

I greased the section threads with some vaseline, will use the pen awhile and see. The breather holes are clear. I greased the cap threads too, but it doesn't remedy the problem completely, so I guess the plastic has shrunk.

 

Great! No, you can't solve the tight cap with grease.

 

Don't use foil to increase flow. Foil can only clean dirt from the nib slit. to increase flow, refer point 5 in following article:

 

https://www.nibs.com/blog/nibster-writes/smoothing-scratchy-nibs 

 

 

[IlikeInksandIcannotlie]

57 minutes ago, hari317 said:

Great! No, you can't solve the tight cap with grease.

 

Don't use foil to increase flow. Foil can only clean dirt from the nib slit. to increase flow, refer point 5 in following article:

 

https://www.nibs.com/blog/nibster-writes/smoothing-scratchy-nibs 

 

 

It seemed to work somewhat, so I guess there was some dirt I could not flush out with water. Thanks for the tuning tip.

[vijaych]

I found this video to be helpful.

 

[antarmukhee]

Is this a "Made in India" pilot pen?

 

[antarmukhee]

1 minute ago, Savit said:

Is this a "Made in India" pilot pen?

 

 

Got my answer - Just saw the link to the thread above (