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Is there a large #FountainPens community on the fedi?

Anyhow, I have a dedicated blue #Lamy Sarafi that I used to use for my #BaystateBlue ink, because it's notorious for permanently staining everything it comes into contact with. A while ago, I accidentally let ink dry out in this pen, and I haven't been able to get the feed flowing properly since. I've cleaned the pen several times and left everything soaking in water for several hours on a few occasions. I've also tried changing the nib. Eventually, I just emptied it, cleaned it out, and left it sitting on a shelf for a while.

I recently pulled it out again, cleaned it once more, and inked it up. Same problem. I'm going to leave it sit inked for a bit to see if maybe capillary action will eventually set in, but if this doesn't resolve the issue is there anything else I can try? I can always replace the pen, but I'd rather not if it can be avoided.

#fountainpens #Lamy #BaystateBlue
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

A cool crab wearing shades
A cool crab wearing shades
• •
run the feed through an ultrasonic cleaner, gets dried ink out of a feed like a charm.
in reply to A cool crab wearing shades

Jonathan Lamothe
Jonathan Lamothe
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@A cool crab wearing shades Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like an ultrasonic cleaner may be more expensive than just buying a new Lamy Safari.

Though it may be a good long-term investment anyway. I'll have to explore that option.

@A cool crab wearing shades
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

Jim P.
Jim P.
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@neckspike You can also use the ultrasonic cleaner on other stuff. It works great on jewelry and such. And if you bought another pen it could still get clogged, and the cycle repeats.

I bought this one, and even at $40 it's a bit overkill for most things, but does a great job: amazon.com/gp/product/B087WN32…

Amazon.com: LifeBasis Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner Ultrasonic Cleaner Machine 850ml (28 Ounces) LCD Screen with 5 Digital Timer Watch Stand CD Holder for Jewelry CD DVD Watches Glasses Makeup Brush : Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com
@A cool crab wearing shades
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

Jim P.
Jim P.
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If you have an ultrasonic cleaner, that might help draw the ink out.

Some people have soaked pens for days to get stubborn stuff out, a couple hours may not be long enough.

Also might use (or make) pen flush to help. Some people have used a little dish soap or ammonia but it can be tricky getting the mix right so I use pre-made pen flush.

The way Lamy pens are made can make it tricky to clean with a bulb syringe but that's usually the most effective way to do it quickly.

in reply to Jim P.

Jonathan Lamothe
Jonathan Lamothe
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@Jim P. I've tried pen flush, but I'm told that one should not soak a pen in it, just flush it through.

I'm going to look into the ultrasonic cleaner option though.

I may also end up resorting to soaking in water for an extended period. I'm told that Baystate Blue is notoriously hard on pens, though the Safari is known for being pretty indestructible.

@Jim P.
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

Jim P.
Jim P.
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yeah, soaking is just for water, generally speaking.

Before anything else, I'd let the section+feed part (without the nib on) soak overnight in room temperature water and then see what happens.

I won't touch Noodler's inks for many reasons but one of the big ones is that they do things like you're seeing. Not worth the hassle for me when there are so many other choices out there.

in reply to Jim P.

Jonathan Lamothe
Jonathan Lamothe
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@Jim P. Yeah, I really do like BSB, but I know it's hard on pens. This is why I have a dedicated pen for it. I've got another one inked up with something else, and it's working fine.
@Jim P.
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

paradoxmo
paradoxmo
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you don’t want to soak a pen in pen flush, but you should leave the pen filled with it overnight for the best results.
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

eighthourlunch
eighthourlunch
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Lamy has been the worst for me on this. Ultimately, the only thing that got it running again for me was putting it in an ultrasonic cleaner a few times.
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

Jonathan Lamothe
Jonathan Lamothe
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UPDATE: I've let it sit inked for a bit and the flow seems to be improving. Tonight, I'll clean it and let it soak in water sans nib over night (or longer of I'm still unhappy). I'll also look into an ultrasonic cleaner.

reshared this

in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

Jonathan Lamothe
Jonathan Lamothe
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This is the progress I've made so far:
a photo of a handwritten page in Bay state Blur ink. The text starts out skipping quite a bit, bit improving toward the end. I'll do better alt text when I'm at a proper keyboard, sorry.

Please forgive my awful handwriting. I'm out of practice.

Shannon Prickett reshared this.

in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

screwlisp
screwlisp
• •
@stug is my fountain pen and sumo guru (of quite some gallery of specialists)
@Stug
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

Stug
Stug
• •
Nib cleaner and a bulb syringe should help clear the last bits. The writing is neater than mine! Best of luck with clearing the Safari yo smooth again.
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

paradoxmo
paradoxmo
• •
we’ve got the @penfount community with 1k people, ask anything you’d like
@Penfount • Pen Community
in reply to paradoxmo

Jonathan Lamothe
Jonathan Lamothe
•

@paradoxmo Yeah, they boosted this moments after I posted it. I subscribed as soon as I realized they existed.

Very happy about that.

@paradoxmo
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

paradoxmo
paradoxmo
• •

you can try pen flush. Fill your pen with it and leave it overnight. Homemade pen flush: 200 ml water, 20 ml windex, 2 drops clear dish detergent

Although this may not work for Baystate which is notoriously somewhat corrosive

This entry was edited (1 month ago)
Unknown parent

Jonathan Lamothe
Jonathan Lamothe
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@Bearking I'll keep that one in my back pocket. I know the purpose of ink is to permanently mark things, but BSB is insidious!

If it weren't such a gorgeous colour, I'd have nothing to do with it.

@Bearking
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

Jonathan Lamothe
Jonathan Lamothe
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So someone elsewhere recommended soaking in a 10:1 water:vinegar solution. I've considered this, but don't know if it'll damage the feed. Thoughts?

Shannon Prickett reshared this.

in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

paradoxmo
paradoxmo
• •
no, vinegar won’t damage the feed. But I’m not really sure it will help in this case. If you want something stronger than normal pen flush, try Rapido-eze. It’s designed for technical pens and can clean out some stubborn particles.
in reply to paradoxmo

Jonathan Lamothe
Jonathan Lamothe
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@paradoxmo I've heard mixed responses about pen flush. Many have stated not to let a pen soak in it.
@paradoxmo

Shannon Prickett reshared this.

in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

paradoxmo
paradoxmo
• •
if it’s standard ammonia-based pen flush, you should not keep the nib or the barrel submerged in it. You should fill the pen with it like you would with ink, and leave it there overnight. This is different than soaking.

Shannon Prickett reshared this.

in reply to paradoxmo

Jonathan Lamothe
Jonathan Lamothe
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@paradoxmo Ohhhh! That's the part I wasn't understanding. I was just running it through the pen.
@paradoxmo
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

Nick
Nick
• •

vinegar is pretty safe in general and you can always dilute it. I think the safari has a plastic feed, too.

if it were me I would use a little dishsoap and an old toothbrush first and try to get into the feed's nooks and crannies. if the suds turn blue, it's working

in reply to Nick

Jonathan Lamothe
Jonathan Lamothe
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@Nick Oh, there's an idea. I might give that a go if I can find an old tooth brush.
@Nick
in reply to Jonathan Lamothe

berserk du soleil
berserk du soleil
• •
idk if it's large, but will tag my fountain pen friend @coffeentacos (not sure that's your primary j.c. if not I'm sorry!)
@coffeentacos: パズルバトル

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