Casting Custom C Ring Tools for Obscure Fountain Pens (III)

Progress vid on the metal-epoxy-as-disposable-C-ring-tool tests. For those who prefer text to youtube clips, conclusions are:

• Red rubber grease and teflon tape have prevented the epoxy from binding to the threaded boss whilst curing in every instance.
• The epoxy made a good cast from metal and plastic boss dummy run threads, and of the suspected BHR threads of the fountain pen's boss itself.

Apologies for the less than lively audio, bit of a cold coming on!

A bespoke metal epoxy C ring tool for the eyedropper packing boss, after casting in situ.

A Suivre:

I guess there's nothing left to do but try the tool on the pen (gulp).

Casting Custom C Ring Tools for Obscure Fountain Pens (II)

Just a short update on the 'casting bespoke C rings from obscure fountain pens using metal epoxy' trials today; the epoxy has done a good job of taking an impression of the plastic football air pump adaptor, despite the shallow plastic threads, and the big ugly injection line across them. This is an encouraging development, and gives me confidence for the risky business ahead!

The plastic valve adaptor after a smear of RRG and a wrap of teflon tape.

The red rubber grease & teflon tape have prevented the epoxy from adhering in every test so far, so that aspect of these experiments is performing well enough to consider low risk. I'm comfortable with the idea of applying the epoxy to the Japanese eyedropper mentioned in the previous post, and don't think the epoxy will stick to its boss based on experience thus far.

The C ring has taken a good impression of the valve's threads.

The epoxy coped very well with the plastic valve adaptor's injection molded, indistinct threads! This is really good news, as it should do even better with the pen's well defined, die cut threads.

So where to from here? The major unanswered question is this; If the eyedropper's boss its threaded in, will it withstand the clamping pressure necessary to grip the thing and rotate it? I'm 90% sure the boss is made of BHR (black hard rubber). Who knows?


Till next time,


Flounder 

Casting Custom C Ring Tools for Obscure Fountain Pens

Lately, I've been wracking my noggin over how best to open up this vintage fountain pen, sold to me as a "1930s Japanese eyedropper". The shut-off valve shaft seal is no longer watertight, so I'd like to remove the threaded boss at the end of the barrel, preferably without breaking anything.

Left hand thread? Right hand? Glued in?

This wouldn't be a problem but for the fact that being, well, a 1930's Japanese eyedropper, the thread diameter and pitch are understandably proprietary. There are no off-the-shelf vac tools for this chap. I've been trialling metal epoxy putty as a disposable, single use C ring tool on various odds & sods, and will carry on till I feel ready to give it a go on the actual pen.

Subtitles have been provided for non-Weegies. More on this as and when it happens! If it all works out, I will blog all the details, some photographs, &c.



All the best,


Flounder

Hero 616 Flighter

Today may be the start of the new tax year, but the Shangai Hero Pen Company has raised a smile at Flounder's Mindthots this morning with news of a new limited edition fountain pen!

What a great start to the day!

 The company president, Lyk Lee Ztohree announced the brand new Hero 616 Flighter, released today.

"The original 616 was synonymous with the quality control and bold imaginative design we value so much here at Hero. As our new flagship model, the Flighter builds on the reputation of its plastic bodied predecessor, using a startling metal cap, metal barrel combination we've never seen in other manufacturers' designs", he said.

"Not even a quick peek - honest".

The new pen, available from all good retailers "and a few crap ones", will come in three standard nib sizes: Music, Hebrew, and a Left Foot Oblique Italic. The Flighter's "Chimeraculous" ink system never requires refilling, instead drawing moisture from the air to liquefy pigments impregnated in the feed.

From left to right: Hero 616 Flighter, Parker 51 Vacumatic.

The vertical lines etched into the cap are echoed in the barrel.

Cap/clip detail

The 616 Flighter alongside some old pen of no especial account.

Must dash folks!
Flounder