The Basic FP Toolkit

[syngent]

So we have lots of new guys coming in, I thought we would share the little things we keep around that make life a lot easier for use with FPs. please let us know what you keep in your toolkits, how you use them, where you got them, and what they do for you

For me two things you will certainly love to have are a blunt syringe

Which you can grab usually at a drug store, or add them to a goulet order (i nabbed the photo from them)
They are used for me, when a bottle is getting to low to dunk a whole nib to fill, I use the syringe to suck up the ink and inject it directly into a converter, of course you can not do this with any sac or sealed filler type, but any cart converter pen will love this guy

You can even fill old used carts with other ink types if you dont own a converter for a particular type of pen

and second is the bulb Syringe for flushing



rather then explain how to use it, the goulets have a great video on the matter ill add below
but you can grab these at almost any drug store

 

[the_edski]

They are used for me, when a bottle is getting to low to dunk a whole nib to fill, I use the syringe to suck up the ink and inject it directly into a converter, of course you can not do this with any sac or sealed filler type, but any cart converter pen will love this guy

You forgot about the feed saturation method for using a syringe to fill non C/C pens!

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

All of those are invaluable, especially the bulb syringe. They make flushing a pen a breeze. They're best on just the nib/feed section, but can also be used on a converter or cartridge. Syringes also work well to clean out c/c pens.

I'll add:

Jeweler's loupe - atleast 10-15x. For examining nibs to make sure everything's in order should you run into any flow issues, etc.

Silicon grease - for preventing leaks, especially if you decide to eyedropper a pen.

Pieces of thin brass shim, but any thin metal will work - At some point, small bits of paper, dust, etc. will undoubtedly get stuck between the tines of the nib. The thin metal (or any other thin, sturdy object) works very well for getting rid of that.

Needlenose pliars - For making small adjustments to the tines of the nib. Beginners should only do this on cheaper pens. Anything beyond that is better left to more knowledgeable folks!

pen flushing solution - you can use JBs; works great, but pricey. A weak solution of 10% ammonia, water and a few drops of dishwashing detergent works just as well and is much cheaper.

Lots of paper towels!

 

[syngent]

Lol the pelikan was probably not the best of examples, since you can just unthread the nib and fill directly into the body, but for my conklin crescent this would work to fill it with samples, ive never seen that one Ed good Video

 

[syngent]

All of those are invaluable, especially the bulb syringe. They make flushing a pen a breeze. They're best on just the nib/feed section, but can also be used on a converter or cartridge. Syringes also work well to clean out c/c pens.

I'll add:

Jeweler's loupe - atleast 10-15x

Silicon grease

Pieces of thin brass shim, but any thin metal will work

Needlenose pliars

Why these OldSchool ( I know why, just want to make asure a new guy knows what you do with them), If its to much typing just let me know lol and ill type it all out

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

Why these OldSchool ( I know why, just want to make asure a new guy knows what you do with them), If its to much typing just let me know lol and ill type it all out

Edited

 

[celestino]

James, you never seem to stop helping out! Great on you!

 

[syngent]

Edited

Awesome, thanks, those are some great things to have. After Brian once answered a question for me I found a small set of plastic needle nose pliars to make sure i dont mark up my nibs when fussing with them

James, you never seem to stop helping out! Great on you!

Thanks Celestino, Just try to do my best, sometimes i even get it right lol

 

[jiminyshiznit]

This answers all of the questions I was just about to ask.. thanks for this thread!

 

[syngent]

Great to hear Jiminy

 

[redbike]

Richard Binder sells a "Twicks" tool kit - tweezers and picks, that is very useful.

 

[Doc4]

... don't forget that little tub of silicone grease to eyedropper pens!

 

[andrew98]

Pieces of thin brass shim, but any thin metal will work - At some point, small bits of paper, dust, etc. will undoubtedly get stuck between the tines of the nib. The thin metal (or any other thin, sturdy object) works very well for getting rid of that.

Just do not use a razor blade. You can accidentally cut the feed slit deeper or damage the tipping material with one, so stick with the brass shim, a feeler gauge, or some other comparatively dull piece of metal if you intend to floss a nib.

-Andy

 

[chumlee]

If any of you guys have old SLR (or new DSLR*) equipment around, you can use a lens as a loupe. I use an old Minolta MD 50/1.7. I'm not sure about the magnification, I'm sure I can figure it out, but it's perfect for checking nib tine alignment.