Ink flow

I have a Aurora Ipsilon that I use daily. After a miserable
experience with cartridges, I switched to using the converter and Mont
Blanc's ink (available easily locally at the Beverly Center store).
So far so good, but, I've noticed that the pen gets successively
harder to write with unless I keep unscrewing the nib/base and forcing
ink into the tip (nib?) (don't know the terminology, sorry). If I do
that, it writes fine for half a page, before becoming hard to write
with again. I've cleaned the nib and it's fine, it just needs a
constant helping hand. I have to disassemble the pen to get to the
"plunger" screw, so, it's a PITA... Am I missing something obvious?

Thanks!

"Wendell" wrote in message
om...
If I do
that, it writes fine for half a page, before becoming hard to write
with again. I've cleaned the nib and it's fine, it just needs a
constant helping hand. I have to disassemble the pen to get to the
"plunger" screw, so, it's a PITA... Am I missing something obvious?

Thanks!

Hi Wendell,

A good nib shouldn't require this. I've heard a couple of complaints about
fussy Ipsilon nibs. Is this a new pen? I'd contact Aurora customer service
(sorry, not sure where/how.)

The nib needs replacement or adjustment. MB inks are known for being rather
stingy so that might not be helping any. But even with slow flow inks, a
decent nib should work fine - just write dry-ish. It probably has very
little to do with the cartridge or converter and instead to do with the feed
and nib contact or design.

If you bought the pen from a distributor, they should be able to provide you
with a contact for Aurora. An option would be to contact a nib guru to have
it worked on but you should probably go the official route for warranty
reasons and hope that Aurora will resolve the problem.

HTH
kcat

On 23 Sep 2004 15:06:35 -0700, (Wendell) said:

Wendell I have a Aurora Ipsilon that I use daily. After a
Wendell miserable experience with cartridges, I switched to using
Wendell the converter and Mont Blanc's ink (available easily
Wendell locally at the Beverly Center store). So far so good,
Wendell but, I've noticed that the pen gets successively harder
Wendell to write with unless I keep unscrewing the nib/base and
Wendell forcing ink into the tip (nib?) (don't know the
Wendell terminology, sorry). If I do that, it writes fine for
Wendell half a page, before becoming hard to write with again.
Wendell I've cleaned the nib and it's fine, it just needs a
Wendell constant helping hand. I have to disassemble the pen to
Wendell get to the "plunger" screw, so, it's a PITA... Am I
Wendell missing something obvious?

you've cleaned the nib (how?) but have you flushed the whole thing out
with cold tap water? flush it until the water turns clear. if that
works, there's no need to do more. maybe you already have done this.
in that case, more drastic measures are necessary.


--


Those aren't WINOS -- that's my JUGGLER, my AERIALIST, my SWORD
SWALLOWER, and my LATEX NOVELTY SUPPLIER!!

On 23 Sep 2004 15:06:35 -0700, (Wendell) wrote:

I have a Aurora Ipsilon that I use daily. After a miserable
experience with cartridges, I switched to using the converter and Mont
Blanc's ink (available easily locally at the Beverly Center store).
So far so good, but, I've noticed that the pen gets successively
harder to write with unless I keep unscrewing the nib/base and forcing
ink into the tip (nib?) (don't know the terminology, sorry). If I do
that, it writes fine for half a page, before becoming hard to write
with again. I've cleaned the nib and it's fine, it just needs a
constant helping hand. I have to disassemble the pen to get to the
"plunger" screw, so, it's a PITA... Am I missing something obvious?

MB ink does that in all my pens except the fire hoses. You might just
try a different kind of ink. Levenger's (especially!) and Private
Reserve write "wetter" in my experience. (For once I'm glad Frank's
not around to jump on that!) I expect you could find either Parker or
Sheaffer ink nearby. Either of those is likely to clear things up.
I'd try this simple switch before trying to get the nib/flow adjusted.

Pat

Email address works as is.

My Aurora had the same problem. I returned it to the US importer and
within a week it was returned with a new nib that writes great...even
with Montblac blue/black ink.

Wendell wrote:
I have a Aurora Ipsilon that I use daily. After a miserable
experience with cartridges, I switched to using the converter and Mont
Blanc's ink (available easily locally at the Beverly Center store).
So far so good, but, I've noticed that the pen gets successively
harder to write with unless I keep unscrewing the nib/base and forcing
ink into the tip (nib?) (don't know the terminology, sorry). If I do
that, it writes fine for half a page, before becoming hard to write
with again. I've cleaned the nib and it's fine, it just needs a
constant helping hand. I have to disassemble the pen to get to the
"plunger" screw, so, it's a PITA... Am I missing something obvious?

Thanks!

If you don't know who the importer is go to www.penhero.com and look it up.

Wendell wrote:

I have a Aurora Ipsilon that I use daily. After a miserable
experience with cartridges, I switched to using the converter and Mont
Blanc's ink (available easily locally at the Beverly Center store).
So far so good, but, I've noticed that the pen gets successively
harder to write with unless I keep unscrewing the nib/base and forcing
ink into the tip (nib?) (don't know the terminology, sorry). If I do
that, it writes fine for half a page, before becoming hard to write
with again. I've cleaned the nib and it's fine, it just needs a
constant helping hand. I have to disassemble the pen to get to the
"plunger" screw, so, it's a PITA... Am I missing something obvious?

Thanks!

(Wendell) writes:

I have a Aurora Ipsilon that I use daily. After a miserable
experience with cartridges, I switched to using the converter and
Mont Blanc's ink (available easily locally at the Beverly Center
store). So far so good, but, I've noticed that the pen gets
successively harder to write with unless I keep unscrewing the
nib/base and forcing ink into the tip (nib?) (don't know the
terminology, sorry). If I do that, it writes fine for half a page,
before becoming hard to write with again. I've cleaned the nib and
it's fine, it just needs a constant helping hand. I have to
disassemble the pen to get to the "plunger" screw, so, it's a
PITA... Am I missing something obvious?

The basic problem is that ink is not flowing properly to the nib.
There are several potential reasons for this, some of which include:

First, Montblanc black ink is IME poor ink which doesn't flow well. A
better flowing black might solve your problem. I had a MB convertor
pen (Noblese) which showed the same behavior until I switched to
Quink.

Second, IIRC MB black ink contains iron gall which might conceivably
build up and clog. Flush the pen by rinsing it under water and
blowing through the section, or using the bulb off a baby's ear
syringe.

Third, I have several pens with convertors where the ink seems to
"stick" to the walls of the convertor instead of flowing down towards
the nib. My Aurora is not one of those, but I have a couple of
Waterman pens with this problem. I don't have a solution other than
finding a better convertor.

On Fri, 24 Sep 2004 17:25:06 -0500, Tim McNamara
said:


Tim Second, IIRC MB black ink contains iron gall which might
Tim conceivably build up and clog. Flush the pen by rinsing it
Tim under water and blowing through the section, or using the
Tim bulb off a baby's ear syringe.


the black is fine. in my opinion, it's one of the safer inks.
(colour is another thing). the blueblack is the one with the iron
gall. it will clog pens if they're not flushed out regularly.

Tim Third, I have several pens with convertors where the ink
Tim seems to "stick" to the walls of the convertor instead of
Tim flowing down towards the nib. My Aurora is not one of those,
Tim but I have a couple of Waterman pens with this problem. I
Tim don't have a solution other than finding a better convertor.

people suggest putting a very small amount of soap in the ink.


--


I had a lease on an OEDIPUS COMPLEX back in '81 ...

"Garglemonster" wrote in message
...

people suggest putting a very small amount of soap in the ink.

if using a converter - i'd suggest rinsing the converter with mild soapy
water (use something like Palmolive dishwashing liquid for washing dishes by
hand), then rinse again with clear. this should leave enough soap in the
converter to improve ink flow.

but i still think going with less stingy ink is the best first choice. if
you're really fond of the MB ink - try the detergent thing. if you must do
so, it takes a very tiny amount. you could put a few mls of the ink in a
separate container, dip a toothpick into the detergent just enough to have a
thin sheen on the toothpick the dip it into the ink. you don't want a drop
or even half a drop (whatever that is) or you will have ink that can't be
slowed down.

and i still feel that a good nib shouldn't care what ink it uses... but
sometimes you make do.

Have to make this comment here...
I so often read of flow problems or issues that are "solved" by using
Quink.
True, using a watery ink will allow it to flow thru the feed better, but
I'd look for the cause of the poor flow issue first. The joys of writing
with a nice rich ink are missed when there's a feed flow problem. Inks
like Aurora Black, and Pelikan Brilliant black give a nice added
smoothness to the nib.
Adjust the nib and feed, and enjoy a nice deep rich ink

(I hear Frank getting ****ed....miss ya Frank)

Regards,
Pelikanyo Paul
"AL" wrote in message
...
My Aurora had the same problem. I returned it to the US importer and
within a week it was returned with a new nib that writes great...even
with Montblac blue/black ink.

Wendell wrote:
I have a Aurora Ipsilon that I use daily. After a miserable
experience with cartridges, I switched to using the converter and
Mont
Blanc's ink (available easily locally at the Beverly Center store).
So far so good, but, I've noticed that the pen gets successively
harder to write with unless I keep unscrewing the nib/base and
forcing
ink into the tip (nib?) (don't know the terminology, sorry). If I
do
that, it writes fine for half a page, before becoming hard to write
with again. I've cleaned the nib and it's fine, it just needs a
constant helping hand. I have to disassemble the pen to get to the
"plunger" screw, so, it's a PITA... Am I missing something obvious?

Thanks!