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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! have any question try to be patient with my english.
This post has been edited by pomperopero: 01 May 2012 - 01:00 PM

If you

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#2

plumista

Near Mint

Group: Member - Silver Posts: 40 Joined: 27-November 10 Local Time: Apr 18 2013 02:35 AM Location:ESPAA 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! question try to be patient with my english.

If you have any

Muy buenas, pomperopero.

Totalmente de acuerdo con este mtodo. Yo tambin lo haba probado. Pero no tengo ni idea de cmo hacer estas estupendas fotos, as que tu mrito me parece realmente loable.

Slo 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 fbrica de impedirlo mediante ese "golpe" que tiene la funda metlica justo en la parte critica, para que encaje con el hueco inferior del alimentador), cmo 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.

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#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-

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#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
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#5

Chi Town

Group: Member - Gold Posts: 1,183 Joined: 18-December 07 Local Time: Apr 17 2013 06:35 PM Location:Albuquerque, New Mexico Flag:

Collectors Item

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's Marlen Yellow Liberty LE 113/382, Santa Fe Style Custom "51" Made by Ralph Prather Danitrio Fellowship

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#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

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#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 mtodo. Yo tambin lo haba probado. Pero no tengo ni idea de cmo hacer estas estupendas fotos, as que tu mrito me parece realmente loable.

Slo 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 fbrica de impedirlo mediante ese "golpe" que tiene la funda metlica justo en la parte critica, para que encaje con el hueco inferior del alimentador), cmo 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

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#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.
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#9

wastelanded

Group: Member - Gold Posts: 883 Joined: 13-December 11 Local Time: Apr 17 2013 08:35 PM Location:Cramahe, Ontario Flag:

Num, me vexo?

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 Poussire 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?

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#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~

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#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.
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#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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