So, I was trying to find an actual vintage version of the Conklin Crescent Filler (aka, the "profanity saver," according to Samuel Clemens) pen that was restored and in decent condition... But, I only found two, and they were well above where I wanted to be price-wise. So, I settled for the reproduction instead.
I have to say, even though it has a JoWo Omniflex Stainless Steel nib, it's a good writer. In fact, so good, that when it started acting up on me the other day it took me a few minutes before I realized the issue was that it was actually out of ink... I had actually written enough with it to go through a complete fill.
That's gorgeous. I have a Jaxon Self-Filling, which is basically a crescent filler with a button instead of a loop. I was on a mission for a while to design and 3d print my own pen. It looked very promising for a bit. I modeled it after the crescent filler.
I designed and printed a couple sizes, even.
But ultimately, I was defeated by the very thing that makes them function. Capillary action. Literally all of the ink got sucked out of the sac and into my print. Permeating through the grip section and into the cap.
That's pretty cool.
Did you design a feed to go with your pen, or were you trying to use it more like a drip-style pen? I see the Kaweco Sport in the photo above, did you use the nib and feed from it?
I could toss the models onto Thingiverse or something, maybe somebody would be interested to pick up where I left off.
Maybe Dooblebud would be interested -- he's been messing around with 3D printing his own pen.
I have precisely zero knowledge of anything 3D printed, so something like this would be lost on me.
I designed it for a Jinhao feed, those are cheap and plentiful. The big one took a #6 nib, small a #5. Big one had a black latex sac, small had a clear silicone.
Yeah, a Jinhao nib / feed makes sense. (Although I'd personally probably go for an Asvine or Hongdian nib / feed combo.)
I wonder how you'd go about figuring out how to slow down the capillary action... That's really the most technical part of designing a fountain pen...that's really the most critical part of the pen - or at least it is the "magic"of fountain pens.
The issue is stopping the capillary action where you dont want it! I was chasing layer heights, trying to seal between the layers more. But I think that's a fools errand. I think I need to seal the prints somehow. Maybe reduce my fits and leave room for an acrylic clear coat?
I was not familiar with Hongdian when I made this. Now, I use my M2 more than my Kaweco Sport! A Hongdian feed and nib would be good.
I had no idea Doodlebud has been tinkering with that, maybe he would be interested!
He did a whole video about it a month ago: The 3D Printed Fountain Pen Project Has Begun!.
I just emailed him a table from my ink collection which I put together per-unit pricing. There were a couple of surprising things I found. Given his recent video about inks I thought he might find it interesting.