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fountain pen kits

Phil Dart

Moderator
Executive Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Posts
5,455
Location
Colebrooke, Devon
First Name
Phil
Making a fountain pen is no more complicated than a ballpoint, other than you will definitely have two tubes to deal with, whereas ballpoints often only have one. At the end of the day though you are still turning blanks to predetermined sizes then pressing components into the tubes. Where you do have to exercise a bit more care is in lining up the grain on both parts, as it's quite a nice touch to have the smartest part of the blanks in line with the upper side of the nib when the cap's off, when the cap's on closed, and if the cap fits on the blunt end (if the cap posts) when it's fitted "posted" too.

I know a lot of people get apprehensive when faced with their first fountain pen, and I understand why, but if you just look at it as a sort of fat slimline, then the process is just the same. And if it all goes wrong you can always part the blanks off the tubes and start again.
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Choose a quality kit,top nib. Find out the choice of nib width ie fine ,medium, or broad remembering if there is a choice not to take it its suitability for others. Enjoy the journey mate.

Peter.
 

paul1020

Full Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2015
Posts
13
Location
birmingham
First Name
paul
Thank you for reply it was mainly the quality of kit with so many differential fountain kits out there.
Kind regardsPaul
 

AllenN

Fellow
Joined
May 20, 2013
Posts
2,242
Location
Lancaster, UK
First Name
Allen
Paul, if you look at Dan’s kits at Taylors Mirfield and Phil’s kits at Beaufort Ink you will not go far wrong. It depends a little on which style you prefer and price of course. The Mistral that Phil sells is a real beauty and nice to write with. If you scan through this forum you will find plenty of pictures showing how they all look made up. There is also the Shakespeare that Dan has which is I believe UK made too. Enjoy it they are all great fun to make. Oh and by the way get decent ink, again the same suppliers can help you there.
 

Pastor of Muppets

Full Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2017
Posts
279
Location
Oxford (ish)
First Name
Andy
I cant recommend Phil's Mistrals highly enough they write beautifully and are a pleasure to hold. Also his bushings are beautiful!
They aren't postable which I have to say I prefer as there are no exposed threads when the pen is closed (a pet peeve of mine).
I've just recieved the kit for making your own centre bands which I am really keen to try out but shop time has been hard to come by :sob:
 
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