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The Fountain Pen Network: How To Increase The Flow In Lamy Fountain Pens. - The Fountain Pen Network
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How To Increase The Flow In Lamy Fountain Pens.
#1 pomperopero
Mint
Group: Member - Gold Posts: 57 Joined: 17-January 11 Local Time: Apr 18 2013 02:35 AM
Posted 30 April 2012 - 08:36 PM Lamys are well know for being quality wirting instruments, smooth and reliable, yet sometimes stingy in
ink flow. This is the method I've developed to increase the flow in the Safari, All-Star and Nexx models.
Hopefully it will be helpful to others.
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 599) - Click image to enlarge
The following are a couple of writing samples made with Diamine Ancient Copper. The first one is made
with a newly purchased, unmodified pen and as it can be seen, the flow is poor while in the second one
yields a more saturared and darker line. After the procedure, the pens delivers an adequate amount of ink
no matter how fast you write and there is no ink starvation.
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 432) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 449) - Click image to enlarge
Please beware this is a non reversible method. Before proceeding, consider these two other options:
1. Soaking and rinsing. Soak the section and nib in a pH neutral dishwasher soap for some hours, rising
with tepid water and repeating it several times usually solves many issues due to factory oils. Always try
this before anything else.
2. Tine spreading. A calibrated gouge set available at car spare and/or industrial supplies shops helps
taking a small amount of the metal in the inner side of the tines, increasing the gap among them and thus
boosting up the flow. Introduce the thinnest gouge in a back and forward movement, gently and without
forcing them. A few passes should be enough. Be conservative, trial and error works best, and test the
nib until it is a very small gap in the front part of the tines.
If after these previous tweakings the pen still does not deliver an adequate flow or skips, then go on and
modify the feed at your own risk. The photos illustrate the whole step-by-step proceeding.
Materials: a piece of rubber and an X-acto knife to pull out feed and nib from section and then to widen
the channels of the feed.
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 599) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 600) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 600) - Click image to enlarge
Wrap rubber around feed and nib and holding firmly, pulling it out away from the section. The nib can be
extracted first by the same method, then the feed alone.
Although the picture shows the converter inside, remove it before taking out the feed.
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 449) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 449) - Click image to enlarge
This is the feed. It has two parts, the main body and a top thingy that can be removed by sliding it out as
shown in the photo.
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 449) - Click image to enlarge
Take notice of the two top channels through which the ink flows by capillarity.
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Once the top thingy has been remove, insert the X-acto knife gently but firmly into the channel and slided
all the way down to the end of it. The finality is to widen up them up.
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 449) - Click image to enlarge
Repeat this in the other channel.
Resized to 5% (was 3907 x 2196) - Click image to enlarge
It is advisable to re-ensemble the pen at this point and test the ink delivery before repeating the maneuver
once more. Flow should have increased, when you test the pen for a little while you will notice if the
delivered amount is enough for your purposes or if even more is needed for your particular way of writing.
The following step is optional and can be skipped in most cases. Very carefully scrape with the X-acto
knife, the end "tail" of the upper feed piece in order to reduce the section thus further increasing the ink
flow. The pictures show the before and after.
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 600) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 600) - Click image to enlarge
Side by side, two feeds, one as it comes out of the factory and the second after having widened the feed
channels.
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 451) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 598) - Click image to enlarge
Then, insert the feed into the section ( it has one position only) and then re-install the nib. Happy writing.
Resized to 22% (was 800 x 438) - Click image to enlarge
Pd. Due my poor english ondina has helped me with the translation. Thank you very much! If you
have any question try to be patient with my english.
This post has been edited by pomperopero: 01 May 2012 - 01:00 PM
Back to top of the page up there ^
#2 plumista
Near Mint
Group: Member - Silver Posts: 40 Joined: 27-November 10 Local Time: Apr 18 2013 02:35 AM Location:ESPAÑA Flag:
Posted 01 May 2012 - 09:58 PM
pomperopero, on 30 April 2012 - 08:36 PM, said:
Lamys are well know for being quality wirting instruments, smooth and reliable, yet sometimes stingy in ink flow. This
is the method I've developed to increase the flow in the Safari, All-Star and Nexx models. Hopefully it will be helpful to
others.
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 599) - Click image to enlarge
The following are a couple of writing samples made with Diamine Ancient Copper. The first one is made with a newly
purchased, unmodified pen and as it can be seen, the flow is poor while in the second one yields a more saturared
and darker line. After the procedure, the pens delivers an adequate amount of ink no matter how fast you write and
there is no ink starvation.
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 432) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 449) - Click image to enlarge
Please beware this is a non reversible method. Before proceeding, consider these two other options:
1. Soaking and rinsing. Soak the section and nib in a pH neutral dishwasher soap for some hours, rising with tepid
water and repeating it several times usually solves many issues due to factory oils. Always try this before anything
else.
2. Tine spreading. A calibrated gouge set available at car spare and/or industrial supplies shops helps taking a small
amount of the metal in the inner side of the tines, increasing the gap among them and thus boosting up the flow.
Introduce the thinnest gouge in a back and forward movement, gently and without forcing them. A few passes should
be enough. Be conservative, trial and error works best, and test the nib until it is a very small gap in the front part of
the tines.
If after these previous tweakings the pen still does not deliver an adequate flow or skips, then go on and modify the
feed at your own risk. The photos illustrate the whole step-by-step proceeding.
Materials: a piece of rubber and an X-acto knife to pull out feed and nib from section and then to widen the channels
of the feed.
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 599) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 600) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 600) - Click image to enlarge
Wrap rubber around feed and nib and holding firmly, pulling it out away from the section. The nib can be extracted
first by the same method, then the feed alone.
Although the picture shows the converter inside, remove it before taking out the feed.
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 449) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 449) - Click image to enlarge
This is the feed. It has two parts, the main body and a top thingy that can be removed by sliding it out as shown in the
photo.
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 449) - Click image to enlarge
Take notice of the two top channels through which the ink flows by capillarity.
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Once the top thingy has been remove, insert the X-acto knife gently but firmly into the channel and slided all the way
down to the end of it. The finality is to widen up them up.
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 450) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 449) - Click image to enlarge
Repeat this in the other channel.
Resized to 4% (was 3907 x 2196) - Click image to enlarge
It is advisable to re-ensemble the pen at this point and test the ink delivery before repeating the maneuver once
more. Flow should have increased, when you test the pen for a little while you will notice if the delivered amount is
enough for your purposes or if even more is needed for your particular way of writing.
The following step is optional and can be skipped in most cases. Very carefully scrape with the X-acto knife, the end
"tail" of the upper feed piece in order to reduce the section thus further increasing the ink flow. The pictures show the
before and after.
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 600) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 600) - Click image to enlarge
Side by side, two feeds, one as it comes out of the factory and the second after having widened the feed channels.
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 451) - Click image to enlarge
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 598) - Click image to enlarge
Then, insert the feed into the section ( it has one position only) and then re-install the nib. Happy writing.
Resized to 18% (was 800 x 438) - Click image to enlarge
Pd. Due my poor english ondina has helped me with the translation. Thank you very much! If you have any
question try to be patient with my english.
Muy buenas, pomperopero.
Totalmente de acuerdo con este método. Yo también lo había probado. Pero no tengo ni idea de cómo
hacer estas estupendas fotos, así que tu mérito me parece realmente loable.
Sólo una pregunta, para sacar nota: en el caso de la Dialog 3, cuyo alimentador no se puede extraer
(porque ya se han ocupado en la fábrica de impedirlo mediante ese "golpe" que tiene la funda metálica
justo en la parte critica, para que encaje con el hueco inferior del alimentador), ¿cómo se te ocurre que
se pueda manipular dicho alimentador para obtener tan buenos resultados como los que has ilustrado?
Gracias por tu trabajo y esfuerzo, y enhorabuena.
Plumista. Back to top of the page up there ^
#3 Ondina
Donor Pen
Group: Member - Gold Posts: 4,920 Joined: 17-January 08 Local Time: Apr 18 2013 02:35 AM
Posted 02 May 2012 - 09:11 AM Thanks to you for the thread, the technique, pictures, and for taking the time to share it with everybody. I
have tested in person Lamy pens modified this way and there write just wonderfully.
"Germania delenda est".
-Europe- Back to top of the page up there ^
#4 nilling
Dipped Only
Group: Member - Silver Posts: 3 Joined: 02-May 12 Local Time: Apr 18 2013 12:35 AM Flag:
Posted 02 May 2012 - 01:25 PM
My second Al-Star suffers from this, so will try fixing. Many thanks for the great pics Back to top of the page up there ^
#5 Chi Town
Collectors Item
Group: Member - Gold Posts: 1,183 Joined: 18-December 07 Local Time: Apr 17 2013 06:35 PM Location:Albuquerque, New Mexico Flag:
Posted 02 May 2012 - 02:00 PM Very nice review of step by step analysis of how to increase the ink flow, Thank You!
Mike
Stipula Yellow Da Vinci Carbon Fiber T, Stipula Model T, Vintage Fountain Pens, Delta Amerigo Vespucci LE F/P, Pelikan Special Edition Sahara F/P, TWSBI Micarta, Danitrio Mikado,Genkai, Nakaya Decapod Cigar, Watley in Woodgrain!, Vintage Fountain Pen'sMarlen Yellow Liberty LE 113/382, Santa Fe Style Custom "51" Made by Ralph Prather
Danitrio Fellowship Back to top of the page up there ^
#6 pomperopero
Mint
Group: Member - Gold Posts: 57 Joined: 17-January 11 Local Time: Apr 18 2013 02:35 AM
Posted 02 May 2012 - 02:57 PM
Ondina, on 02 May 2012 - 09:11 AM, said:
Thanks to you for the thread, the technique, pictures, and for taking the time to share it with everybody. I have tested
in person Lamy pens modified this way and there write just wonderfully.
Thanks to you, you encouraged me to create this thread, the translation is your merit
Back to top of the page up there ^
#7 pomperopero
Mint
Group: Member - Gold Posts: 57 Joined: 17-January 11 Local Time: Apr 18 2013 02:35 AM
Posted 02 May 2012 - 03:12 PM
plumista, on 01 May 2012 - 09:58 PM, said:
Muy buenas, pomperopero.
Totalmente de acuerdo con este método. Yo también lo había probado. Pero no tengo ni idea de cómo hacer estas
estupendas fotos, así que tu mérito me parece realmente loable.
Sólo una pregunta, para sacar nota: en el caso de la Dialog 3, cuyo alimentador no se puede extraer (porque ya se
han ocupado en la fábrica de impedirlo mediante ese "golpe" que tiene la funda metálica justo en la parte critica,
para que encaje con el hueco inferior del alimentador), ¿cómo se te ocurre que se pueda manipular dicho
alimentador para obtener tan buenos resultados como los que has ilustrado?
Gracias por tu trabajo y esfuerzo, y enhorabuena.
Plumista.
Hello Plumista.
I own a Lamy Dialog 3 and I have done the same operation as showed on this thread. The feed is just
exactly the same, you just need a piece of rubber to hold the front part of the feed firmly, pulling it out
away from the section is harder than other models but possible.
This post has been edited by pomperopero: 02 May 2012 - 05:57 PM
Back to top of the page up there ^
#8 torstar
Antique
Group: Member - Gold Posts: 1,989 Joined: 01-April 10 Local Time: Apr 17 2013 07:35 PM Location:Toronto Flag:
Posted 02 May 2012 - 03:30 PM Excellent presentation, thanks!!!
My simple solution is to only use saturated inks with my 2000.
PR and Noodler's flows great, while the name brand ink causes frustration. Back to top of the page up there ^
#9 wastelanded
Num, me vexo?
Group: Member - Gold Posts: 883 Joined: 13-December 11 Local Time: Apr 17 2013 08:35 PM Location:Cramahe, Ontario Flag:
Posted 02 May 2012 - 04:55 PM Many thanks for this!
FWIW, ink does indeed make a difference. In the last few days in my ALstar:
J. Herbin Poussière de Lune - balanced flow
Diamine Damson - firehose
Skrip Black - skips and jumps
I am glad to know (and see) this technique, thanks again
"I was cut off from the world. There was no one to confuse or torment me, and I was forced to become original." - Franz Joseph Haydn 1732 - 1809
Back to top of the page up there ^
#10 MME
Rare
Group: Member - Gold Posts: 142 Joined: 05-September 11 Local Time: Apr 18 2013 02:35 AM
Posted 18 May 2012 - 03:31 PM Hi,if i understood well,this method is only for Lamy pens,isn't it?
Back to top of the page up there ^
#11 pen2paper
Donor Pen
Group: Member - Gold Posts: 4,202 Joined: 21-July 07 Local Time: Apr 17 2013 08:35 PM
Posted 18 May 2012 - 04:32 PM Thank you for the tutorial, ( Ondina too: )
It's very clear. I like that it includes advice to attempt cleaning 1st.
And also to consider which inks you are, and will use.
An example of this is when I used Black Swan in my medium nib, it emptied quickly, blob after blob.
Now that ink go in in fine nib.
MME, this specific tutorial is for Lamy.
Other pen feeds may be similarly adjusted, but the actual feed removal, and adjustment points may be
different.
For specifics, search the forum, or inquire about that brand.
Also, consider whether your new pen warranty might be affected by home tinkering. Some brands,
encourage such adjustments, others might void warranty.
~Hi! fountain pen enthusiast here~ Back to top of the page up there ^
#12 SteveE
Rare
Group: Member - Gold Posts: 136
Joined: 11-November 04 Local Time: Apr 17 2013 05:35 PM Location:Chicago Area Flag:
Posted 18 May 2012 - 07:48 PM I've done similar modifications to numerous feeds on cartridge/converter pens. Instead of the Exacto
knife, though, I use a surplus dental pick that I got at American Science and Surplus. The picks designed
for dental "scaling" are sharpened so that you can carve away material from the sides of the channel with
less chance of hurting yourself if your tool slips. Some of the web vendors who sell pen parts and tools
sell the picks. Back to top of the page up there ^
#13 Mike 59
Vintage
Group: Member - Gold Posts: 530 Joined: 30-April 11 Local Time: Apr 18 2013 12:35 AM Location:40m north of London Flag:
Posted 21 May 2012 - 12:05 PM Hi, Yes can only agree with the mods shown above. Have found much the same with two Safari's and
one Nexx, in that the tine gap is too small.
A little work with 3 thou feeler gauges, and working under 8x magnification and the nibs were 'sorted'.
I would add that this sort of work really has to done under magnifier and I have found the 'Third hand'
hobby device, is good for holding my x8 magnifier, giving me my two hands back for the work.
The 'Third hand' is a heavy metal base with several croc clips that can be moved around on a bar to help
with fine hobby type work.
They are sold in many hobby type shops and on outdoor markets, they do have a glass magnifier
included normally, but it's only about x2 power.
I paid about GB£ 5 ($US 8).
This post has been edited by Mike 59: 21 May 2012 - 12:08 PM
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