Introduction: Refill a Ballpoint or Gel Pen With Fountain Pen Ink

By My Atelier (Studio)
About: Mechanical Engineer, coder, electronics hacker. Aficionado of the little things in life.

This instructable explains how to dismantle, prepare and fill a gel or ballpoint pen with fountain pen ink. Although not efficient for everyday use, this will probably be a fun-filled activity for pen nerds everywhere.

Step 1: Materials

-1 syringe with needle (I got mine from a printer refill kit)
- A set of pliers
- Some fountain pen ink (I used Parker Quink)
- Surgical spirit
- A pen, preferably used ( I used 0.5 ballpoint and gel pens)
- Steady hands
- Several sheets of scrap paper for absorbing any spills
- Gloves
- a disposable cup (optional)

Step 2: Dismantle the Pen

Take the pen apart, pulling out the ink tube

Step 3: Take Out the Metal Point and Clean

Take out the metal point:
Grasp the metal point lightly and pull the point out while twisting slowly. In gel pens, the metal point is attached to a plastic portion which, in turn, is attached to the ink-holding tube.

Washing or flushing the tube and point:
Wash the tube and point with surgical spirit, spilling the runoff into a a disposable cup.

Step 4: Filling a Gel Tube

(The gel pen can be filled without using the syringe's needle)
Suck up some fountain pen ink into the syringe. Place the syringe opening at one end of the gel-ink tube (picture 1) and push the plunger gently. Let an ink column of about 2-3 inches form.

Remove the syringe and let the ink almost fall out and at the moment when the ink column is threatening to fall out of the tube (see picture 2), stuff the metal point back in (picture 3). Wipe off excess ink.

If you see air bubbles, try again.

Step 5: Filling a Ballpoint Tube

A ballpoint is trickier to fill than a gel tube because of the thinner tube. However, with patience, it can be done.

Suck up some fountain pen ink into the syringe. Position the syringe as shown in picture 1.
Hold the whole tube at an elevation of about 5 degrees (otherwise the ink flows onto your hand). Start pushing the plunger very very slowly.

[Read this whole paragraph first and then proceed] Allow an ink column of 2-3 inches to form. "Balance" the ink column somewhere in the middle of the tube.

Angle the tube slowly, and at the point when the ink is almost spilling out of the tube, insert the metal point into that end. Wipe off excess ink.

If you see air bubbles, try again.

Step 6: Put Everything Back Together

Take the refilled (yay!) pen tubes and put the pen/pens back together. You're done! Try out your new impractical but fun pen, and (sorry for the caps) ALWAYS STORE THE PENS HORIZONTALLY.

I have included some writing samples and pictures below.

I welcome constructive criticism and comments so feel free.