How to Fix a Fountain Pen

by muyo19

30K412

Intro: How to Fix a Fountain Pen

If your fountain pen leaks at the nib then go to the first step.I bought a NVIZIO sunlight pen collection and when I filled it up I touched the back of the nib then I discovered the leak.

STEP 1: Take Out the Ink

Turn the knob or on some pens take out the cartridge.

STEP 2: Wash Out

Turn the knob clockwise and counter clockwise to suck in and push out water or soak it in water.

STEP 3: Let It Dry

Let it dry

STEP 4: Done!

Done! The extra ink that was left sealed it up then it didn't leak.

12 Comments

ToshaS4 7 years ago

I can't get my targa 1005 shaeffer pen to write. I have cleaned it and all. If I put the pen to paper and squeeze cartridge it comes from bottom only not through the tip. Any suggestions??

Phil B 15 years ago

I have always liked fountain pens ever since my first year of high school when Schaeffer brought out a clear plastic cartridge fountain pen that sold for one dollar. That close to 50 years ago. Flushing out the inking system as you describe cures a lot of fountain pen ills, but not all of them by a long shot. About 95% of fountain pen problems, such as poor ink flow or burping ink onto the paper, are due to a poor fit between the nib and the feeder. That allows air to get in where air should not be getting in. I have thought about doing an Instructable on how to restore nib to feeder fit, and some other things related to making a pen write well.

Viviangtzdep 7 years ago

Hi Phil, I hope you are still reachable. I have a vintage fountain pen. I wonder if it is missing pieces. If i send you pictures,would you let me know if there is something missing?

Phil B 7 years ago

I will give it a try.

corpsbum 14 years ago

Please do the instructable about restoring nib to feeder fit! Please!!!

I have two beloved pens that I suspect have an issue with that fit and I want to restore them to the rotation soon. Many would welcome your tutorial!

Phil B 14 years ago

Actually, I did it. What you want is in step 7 of this Instructable. From what I read, 95% of all fountain pen problems are due to poor fit between the nib and the feeder. Thanks.

Phil B 13 years ago

I made some changes in the Instructable linked above. Step 7 is now step 8.

muyo19 15 years ago

Thanks for the advice.

uzma.khatdija 9 years ago

I found a a really old sheaffer pen at home which isn't working now. You are actually supposed to use a cartridge for it but I don't have them so I tried filling the pen with ink after unscrewing it. Would this work? Or I have to use cartridge only? Cant I just fill ink? And its really old would soaking in water help? Should I just dip the whole pen in water?

tmboyd 15 years ago

This is an awesome tutorial in that I am now aware that the aversion to throwing away "dead" pens was just my way of waiting to find this instructional and fix those previously lost bic medium rounds i love so much!

sr1sws 15 years ago

Fountain pens rock! Everyone should be using them.