Ink proofing cap of wood pens

[Tony]

Hi all, sorry if this question has been posted before.

I am using one of my all wood fountain pens and notice that ink is being absorbed through the wood in the cap. This is an all wood pen so no metal tubing.

There’s probably not much I can do with this pen but for future builds the only option I can conceive to minimise this happening is a few coats of spray varnish in the cap (likely to affect the cut thread when spraying). How do people overcome this issue?

 

[Penpal]

Cause and effect principles apply for all to see with fountain pens. Ink is introduced using refills etc ,travelling in aircraft you need to empty your pen of ink or have it full,it is in the aeroplane taking off where the atmosphere pressure can cause leaking. Pens need regular cleaning etc etc. So much for leakage,now the subject of ink seeping into the timber would require some form of treatment or inner capping. Honestly very few people talk about this problem in my experience.

My conclusion is to have other pens other ie than fountain pens where physical forces abound and travel included.

One way I can see to assist would be a sleeve inside the cap or other than spray CA coating before the threading.Good luck with this question it is valid and necessary IMHO.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

Did the pen leak because the nib end was stored downwoods?

 

[Tony]

Thanks for the response Peter and Mark.

I'm actually not sure why the pen leaked - it's a v decent nib. My guess it will be something like residue from having recently filled the ink converter. I also recently flew back from Athens without emptying the ink which won't of helped

That being said, I would imagine that ink leaking would be an occupational hazard of sorts. I'd be really interested in whether other people have figured that into their design/ have a solution or would expect a reasonable amount of precautions to be taken.

 

[Phil Dart]

You're right Tony, it's an occupational hazard, and it would be naive to think that a fountain pen is never going to leak during it's lifetime for some reason or another. I think the only solution to the wood absorption problem you have though is to do what you've already suggested, or something along those lines. I would be tempted to construct the inside of the cap then soak it is a bath of sealant before constructing the outside. You can spruce up the inside, including the threads, once it's dry, and the outside won't be effected in regard to what ever finish you want to apply, because you still have some tooling to do.

 

[Tony]

"I would be tempted to construct the inside of the cap then soak it is a bath of sealant before constructing the outside".

Thanks Phil - nice idea.

 

[Curly]

Generally the best practice is to make the pen with a thin ebonite liner that also has the threads. The wood is then made as a sleeve glued over the ebonite. If you don't care for ebonite pick you favourite plastic. I ain't done it but will someday.

Pete