Hi all,
I'm looking to get started making some kitless fountain pens to give as gifts for my workmates at the end of my contract. I did some research on the best writing fountain pens at the lower end of the price range ( I have a bunch to make!), and picked a couple of pens that got very good reviews in their respective price brackets. I was hoping to use the nib, feed assembly and cartridge system from those pens, and build my brass and aluminum pens around it. That way, I know the writing experience will be reasonably good.
The pens I chose were:
1) pilot metropolitan ($15)
2) platinum preppy ($5)
After confirming they wrote well enough, I measured the thread size on the feed assembly. I fully expected a metric fine thread, but the measurements I got don't match any standard size I recognize.
1) pilot metro: 9.35mm, 0.75pitch
2) platinum preppy: 10.2mm, 1.0pitch
Are these standard sizes? I have a few questions for the more experienced!
1) can taps be bought for these sizes? Or even just a bolt - I can sharpen a bolt up to be a makeshift tap
2) is it possible/easy to press the feed assembly out of the plastic enclosure (which has the weird threads) and make a new housing for it? I think this would be my first choice if possible - that way I can make the whole pen from brass or similar
3) failing all of this, can anyone suggest a good economical nib/feed assembly that's actually designed for what I'd like to do? I don't mind spending $60 on one for the wife, but that's a bit much for 10-15 workmate gifts. I like my co-workers, but not THAT much!
Thanks in advance,
Lee Alkureishi
I'm looking to get started making some kitless fountain pens to give as gifts for my workmates at the end of my contract. I did some research on the best writing fountain pens at the lower end of the price range ( I have a bunch to make!), and picked a couple of pens that got very good reviews in their respective price brackets. I was hoping to use the nib, feed assembly and cartridge system from those pens, and build my brass and aluminum pens around it. That way, I know the writing experience will be reasonably good.
The pens I chose were:
1) pilot metropolitan ($15)
2) platinum preppy ($5)
After confirming they wrote well enough, I measured the thread size on the feed assembly. I fully expected a metric fine thread, but the measurements I got don't match any standard size I recognize.
1) pilot metro: 9.35mm, 0.75pitch
2) platinum preppy: 10.2mm, 1.0pitch
Are these standard sizes? I have a few questions for the more experienced!
1) can taps be bought for these sizes? Or even just a bolt - I can sharpen a bolt up to be a makeshift tap
2) is it possible/easy to press the feed assembly out of the plastic enclosure (which has the weird threads) and make a new housing for it? I think this would be my first choice if possible - that way I can make the whole pen from brass or similar
3) failing all of this, can anyone suggest a good economical nib/feed assembly that's actually designed for what I'd like to do? I don't mind spending $60 on one for the wife, but that's a bit much for 10-15 workmate gifts. I like my co-workers, but not THAT much!
Thanks in advance,
Lee Alkureishi