Having a go at a Kitless Rollerball

[Alpha1]

Kitless rollerball.
I had conversation the other evening with a fellow wood turner, pen turner at our Local Wood turners Club. He said he was cosidering having a go at turning a kitless ball pen. He planted a seed I have been turning kitless fountain pens for approx 5 year. I have decided to have a go at turning a kitless rollerball. I have made a start on the nib section. It looks promising I am excited to see were this goes. Any one else done this any advice input is welcome.

 

[Jarod888]

It's fun. The sections require more specific drilling, especially if you want to closely match your refill. Also, not all refills are the same. You will find that you need to pick a refill and stick with it.

 

[its_virgil]

Patrick's advice is spot on. Careful measuring and drilling and turning. I took measurements and shape from a kit RB. A gentleman's rollerball if I recall.

 

[NJturner]

You can also do this by turning a rollerball section for the pen body and utilize the cartridge converter for the rollerball ink source. You get to use your favorite fountain pen ink with either writing method.

Schmidt offers a cartridge fill rollerball tip that is high quality.

Doing it this way eliminates the need to worry about the pen body being changed to accomodate a commercially made refill - just use the cartridge converter with the rollerball section. You will need a tap for the threads of the rollerball insert because of course, they are different than the standard section threads.

Here is one offered by Barry Gross - rollerball section

Kevin

 

[its_virgil]

I really like using those schmidt rollerball section/tips. They are much less expensive at exoticblanks.com

 

[Curly]

Schmidt used to make and I assume still does, a No 5 nib and feed that are interchangeable with their rollerball. Gives you the option of switching them using one section.

 

[moke]

I used an Atrax rollerball kit....I used the nib, the pocket clip, the spring and refill....it worked out great....it certainly would be more "kitless" with your own home made nib, but this is a lot quicker!