Artisan Rollerball - CSUSA

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Splinter

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Aug 12, 2007
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91
Location
Wallace, NC, USA.
What are your thoughts/experiences with the Artisan Rollerball & Fountain Pen kits from CSUSA?

I made my first one of the rollerballs today. I really don't like the plastic nib cap that goes into the upper barrel that hold the upper barrel onto the lower barrel. The instructions state to use a #1 phillips screwdriver to insert/turn the nib cap onto the threaded screw of the barrel. A #1 phillips screwdriver was too small to get a grip on it so I used a #2 and that worked to a degree but wouldn't turn it far enough to make barrels fit together properly. Finally I used a 3/16" flat blade screwdriver to turn it. The barrels still seem to turn to easily compared to other pens I have made.

I realize these are not top of the line pen/fountain pen kits but is seems like a poor design to me. Or am I missing something?
 
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mrcook4570

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Mar 27, 2005
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4,098
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Mason, WV, USA.
The white plastic part that holds the cap on will ultimately fail. For seating that part, there is a tool designed specifically for that job and it makes life much easier if you continue to make this pen. It is called a nib cap adjuster tool.
 

redfishsc

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Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
2,545
Location
North Charleston , SC
You can also use a Torx screwdriver (the star-shaped screwdriver) and they work well.


I do not have good success with the snap caps. Now, I LOVE using them. I LOVE the feel and ease of the snap, and sometimes they last a long time.

From what I can tell on the handful I've made, and what I've heard on this site, I just don't consider it a reliable enough pen to make and sell for what I charge for a pen.
 

kent4Him

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Mar 23, 2006
Messages
1,654
Location
Paddock Lake, WI USA.
I have also stopped making them. The snap was just too unreliable. I do have a nib adjuster, and that helped quite a bit, but not enough to keep making them. If someone wants my nib adjuster, they can get it dirt cheap.
 

Splinter

Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
91
Location
Wallace, NC, USA.
Thanks for the replies. I feel better...I guess... knowing my problem with the kit were not unique. I have a few of the kits available fairly cheap if anyone wants them.
 

Texatdurango

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Joined
Apr 23, 2007
Messages
4,649
Location
Show Low, Arizona
I guess I'm in the minority... as usual, but I have made several of the fountain pen kits and like them.

My thinking when I ordered several dozen kits last year was that this would be a cheap pen for someone to get into trying fountain pens with.

I sold two or three for around $30, gave one to my nephew who uses it all the time in school and have one in my desktop pen rack and use it when I want red ink.

With the 25% discount, the fountain pen kit at $5.40 is little more than the price of the nib used in the kit so I have no complaints! At the very least, I have a good supply of fountain nibs!
 
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