Why is my new fountain pen not working?
If you think your fountain pen dried out because of clogging, the first step is to try flushing it with warm water. The best way to do this is by unscrewing the pen, removing the cartridge and pouring warm water into the feed and through the nib to flush out any hardened ink or sediment.
What do you do when your fountain pen doesn’t work?
Insert a fresh cartridge into the pen and squeeze it gently until the ink flows through the end of the pen. If the pen will still not write, disassemble it again and leave the nib to soak for several hours in a light detergent-and-water mix before reassembly.
How long do fountain pen converters last?
I have used converters of several makes, and they usually last about ten years before the piston starts to accumulate enough wear that it doesn’t seal and the converter won’t pull in ink. “Don’t hurry, don’t worry. It’s better to be late at the Golden Gate than to arrive in Hell on time.”
Why does my fountain pen keep stopping?
This occurs when the feed cannot supply enough ink to the tip of the nib or if the tines on the nib are misaligned. A fountain pen can skip if there is debris in the feed channel or the ink has dried. Some new pens may have left over debris from manufacturing and it never hurts to flush the pen before its first use.
How do you fix a ballpoint pen that skips?
Dip the tip of your pen in rubbing alcohol to dissolve any dried ink that may prevent the ball from moving freely. Place the tip of your pen into the flame of a match or lighter for a few seconds to free up the ball and get it rolling smoothly again.
Why do pens stop working on certain paper?
Paper is fibrous material with a porous structure – without that and the capillary effects coming with it, fountain pens wouldn’t be able to write on it.
How do you fix a gel pen that skips?
One way to solve this problem is by soaking the nib of the gel pen in the hot water. Let the tip of the gel pen soak for 20-30 seconds. This should dislodge the blocking hardened ink.
Does ink expire fountain pen?
Fountain pen ink rarely expires. Some manufacturers do give an expire date, which is a best before guarantee. You can recognize bad ink from slime, mould, or a bad smell. There is a trend, however, that might result in your new inks not lasting as long as bottles that are decades old already.
How long does 50ml ink last?
If you’re writing 10 to 20 pages a week, then I’d say you will probably need to refill every 1 to 2 weeks.
How do I stop my fountain pen from skipping?
A fix is to just flush the fountain pen with water until it is clear then take a cup orglass with water and some dishsoap (preferably the lemon one) and then put only the grip section in and let it soak for about 12 hours. Then clean the pen until all the soap is gone and fill it up and it should not skip.
How do I stop my gel pen from skipping?
One of the reasons why a gel pen tends to skip is the dried ink that blocks the ink flow down to the nib. The result is an inconsistent mark on the paper. One way to solve this problem is by soaking the nib of the gel pen in the hot water. Let the tip of the gel pen soak for 20-30 seconds.
Why does the ink look fuzzy on a fountain pen?
You may also wish to be aware that if the paper content is high in pulp, the ink may bleed across the paper, which will make your writing look fuzzy. Many expensive pens use piston-style fillers, which may take the form of a fountain converter.
What should I do if my fountain pen is not working?
Pressing harder against the paper will not help, but ensuring that you cap the pen between uses, wet the tip, crank the piston or simply get used to the pen; all these solutions may well serve to help get it writing properly. And importantly a using a quality fountain pen.
What to do if your fountain pen blots?
Sometimes, a fountain pen can blot and expel ink at inappropriate times, and to get rid of this, you could simply try using a thicker ink. Otherwise, the pen may not be full enough, so getting a full ‘tank’ is also a good technique to avoid blotting.
What’s the best way to write with a fountain pen?
One common tip is to visualise yourself painting onto the paper than pushing into it, as writing with a fountain pen needs to be a deliberate and smooth process to achieve the eloquence that you desire; though it may take a couple of weeks to get the hang of it.