Pen Modification - Convert into eyedropper fill
The Kaweco Sport fountain pen is brilliantly designed and reasonably priced. When it's capped, it is compact enough to fit in any purse or pocket, and when it's posted, it is the perfect size for writing. However, one downfall of the pen is that it can only be used with short standard cartridges, wasting the space 1/3 of the barrel. Also, it cannot be used with a converter so writers cannot use their favorite bottled inks with it. To resolve these issues I converted the Kaweco Sport fountain pen into an eyedropper fill system, where the barrel is used as the ink reservoir. To prevent ink leakage I used 100% silicone grease (petroleum free) to seal the threads. Hopefully, this explanation will help other writers maximize their Kaweco's potential.
Comments
Wow, that's very interesting. I have a couple of Petit 1 and Preppy. I will find out if I can convert them into eyedropper.
Posted by: Andy Leo | August 20, 2008 05:52 PM
As long as the body of the fountain pen does not have any holes in it, it can probably be converted into eyedropper fill. We have been able to successfully convert fountain pens into eyedropper fill simply by using a little bit of silicone grease on the threads each time the pen is refilled with ink.
Posted by: Cheryl | September 5, 2008 01:32 PM
Wow, thank you for the visual instructions. I have collected a ridiculous number of Kaweco Sport fountain pens and have thought about making one or two an eyedropper. This helps!
Posted by: Sheryl | October 7, 2008 03:47 PM
Brilliant! I love this website. I think it is my heaven on the internet.
Posted by: Savannah | November 17, 2008 07:12 AM
this opens up so many possibilities! the magic of modification...
Posted by: Juniper | June 2, 2009 11:01 AM
Just wanted to throw out here, anyone wanting to try this, do yourself a favor and get the grease! The threads are quite tight, and the body length beyond them a good buffer area that fits tight... Twas fine at first with out sealing, But not tight enough! it took 3 days to leak far enough to get inky fingers, but without sealing, it does leak none the less.
suffice to say, I will be ordering some silicone grease shortly... ;-)
G.
Posted by: AlaskanWriter | July 30, 2009 07:50 AM
A #5 rubber O-ring (from the plumbing aisle in your local hardware store), touched with a small amount of silicone grease, works wonders. You'll have to stretch it slightly to get it onto the pen, so put it on first and THEN add the silicone.
Posted by: Cactus Wren | September 23, 2009 12:58 PM
Has anyone tried Teflon tape instead of grease? That's how I would seal something like this in the lab (or for plumbing purposes). Maybe the clearance inside the body isn't enough, but it's a thought.
Posted by: Dave | March 19, 2010 02:29 PM
Dave - we haven't tried Teflon tape ourselves. If you or anyone else tries it and it works please let us know. Thanks!
Posted by: Cheryl | March 23, 2010 10:06 AM
I tried the Teflon tape experiment using a transparent Kaweco Sport rollerball. After about 2 hours of grading papers I have no leaks, but I can see the ink slowly migrating down the threads so I'm sure a leak will soon develop. The problem is the clearance inside the body is quite small; too small to adequately wrap the threads with enough Teflon tape to do the job. The small amount of tape I did manage to get on the threads just isn't enough.
Posted by: Dave | March 26, 2010 01:45 PM
Hi Dave,
Thanks for sharing the results of your experiment! I'm not very skilled at using Teflon tape while doing plumbing so I'm not so sure I could even come close to using it on a pen. :)
Posted by: Cheryl | March 26, 2010 04:41 PM
i did this and it's been a pain to carry. it's exploding all inside the cap, but i think it might be the ink i'm using--noodler's heart of darkness.
Posted by: kenneth | September 5, 2010 07:11 AM