Platinum Preppy as an eyedropper

[ukpenman]

Hi folks. I've used a Preppy for a while but am about to convert it to an eyedropper for the first time. Just wondered what other geeks experience of this was and what inks people use in their Preppy's?

[Mags]

I believe most inks work well. Avoid the Registrar's permanent ink and use silicone grease on the threads.

I have used an Ahab, an Edison, a Kaweco etc all as eye dropper fill pens with no issues.

Mags sent from my blackberry playbook using tapatalks

[AndyT]

Hi there!

In my experience the Preppy works very nicely as an eyedropper because the feed is exceedingly good - I've had no flow problems at all. Also, the thing seems to thrive on neglect to the point that you can leave it to one side for months (with the cap on!) and it'll start first time. Mine has an "o" ring at the section joint, but if I were doing this again I wouldn't bother and just settle for a little silicone grease. Another good inexpensive eyedropper candidate is the Pilot Penmanship / Plumix, by the way.

As for ink, if you're going to be sensible and wash the pen out regularly I'd say anything you fancy. Unsurprisingly, mine contains Waterman Blue Black, which might explain why I get away with mistreating it. Probably best to keep the barrel topped up to avoid too much of an air space.

Hope that helps.

[ukpenman]

It's interesting that you feel the pen will function well as an eyedropper without the o ring. I've ordered some from Goulet Pens rather than take the chance but I've got several Preppy's and might well use an o ring in one and not on another by way of a comparison.

Thanks for the tip on the Pilot Penmanship/Plumix........I might well give them a go!!!

[Feardorcha]

I have two Preppys I converted: one with MB Irish Green and the other with Diamine Blue Black. They were meant as fallback pens if my main pen ran dry but I ended up using them regularly.

I've heard some people have had a lot of success without an o-ring but sadly I was not one of them. I'd test with water first before you decide whether to fit the o-ring or not.

[Laura N]

I used o-rings. Leaking eyedroppers are the kind of thing that can wreck your day.

[jde]

I'm with Laura and Feardorcha about the o-rings on the Preppy. These were the only pens of mine that didn't work well with only silicon grease. (I use them exclusively with Noodler's Waterase.)

Take care not to over tighten when you use o-rings, though, or else you can either split the o-ring or crack your Preppy. I did that more than once!

[AndyT]

Okay, I've just filled up another one without an "o" ring - that's me putting my money where my mouth is to the tune of a possible 3.5ml of ink in my pocket. And I used Diamine Jet Black, an ink so excessively wet that if anything is going to make it's way through the threads, that'll be it. Am I confident? No!

Either way I'll report back - somebody remind me if I forget.

[Feardorcha]

Okay, I've just filled up another one without an "o" ring - that's me putting my money where my mouth is to the tune of a possible 3.5ml of ink in my pocket. And I used Diamine Jet Black, an ink so excessively wet that if anything is going to make it's way through the threads, that'll be it. Am I confident? No!

Either way I'll report back - somebody remind me if I forget.

That's dedication. I've never seen anyone with such a blatant disregard for a shirt pocket before

[tannie]

Instead of o-rings I have used leftover bits from rubber sacs I used to re-sac vintage pens. Works great too.

I have five now with the following inks:
- Noodler's Fox Red
- Platinum Pigmented Rose Red
- ESS Registrar's ink
- Roher & Klingner Salix
- Sailor Sei-boku Nano blue-black

I have them stored nib down in a cup at my desk to see how long it takes before they leak. One week and counting.

[manoeuver]

I have a preppy ED, it's pretty great. I sealed the threads with Superglue and teflon tape.

DANGER DANGER DANGER with the Plumix- some (mine, for instance) have a hole in the end. I found out the hard way when Bad Green Gator poured out the butt of my Plumix on to my desk and items. Not recommended for ED conversion.

[Feardorcha]

I have a preppy ED, it's pretty great. I sealed the threads with Superglue and teflon tape

How do you refill it?

[manoeuver]

I have a preppy ED, it's pretty great. I sealed the threads with Superglue and teflon tape

How do you refill it?

I filled it a year ago at least. it's 3/4 empty. I'll throw it out when it's done.

[AndyT]

That's dedication. I've never seen anyone with such a blatant disregard for a shirt pocket before

DANGER DANGER DANGER with the Plumix- some (mine, for instance) have a hole in the end. I found out the hard way when Bad Green Gator poured out the butt of my Plumix on to my desk and items. Not recommended for ED conversion.

You didn't check?!

The Penmanship as supplied in the UK (by Cult Pens for instance) doesn't have a vent hole; the Plumix isn't readily available here as far as I know, so maybe it does. Blocking the hole with a blob of gap filling super glue is straightforward though, and if you clean it up nicely it's virtually invisible.

[ukpenman]

Keep us posted Andy!!!!

[ukpenman]

Instead of o-rings I have used leftover bits from rubber sacs I used to re-sac vintage pens. Works great too.

I have five now with the following inks:
- Noodler's Fox Red
- Platinum Pigmented Rose Red
- ESS Registrar's ink
- Roher & Klingner Salix
- Sailor Sei-boku Nano blue-black

I have them stored nib down in a cup at my desk to see how long it takes before they leak. One week and counting.

Now that's what I call improvisation!!!

[cedargirl]

Mine works well with the O-ring. It came that way with a bottle of Noodler's Kung Te-cheng.
I'm not sure I'd risk it without the O-ring - I can see ink all through the threaded area, even with silicone.
(I do use other pens converted to EDs without O-rings.)

I truly hope you don't ruin a shirt AndyT.

[AndyT]

Keep us posted Andy!!!!

All was well until I forgot that it's not a screw on cap.






Nope, just kidding. Nothing to report so far.

[ukpenman]

[QUOTE=cedargirl;46225]Mine works well with the O-ring. It came that way with a bottle of Noodler's Kung Te-cheng.
I'm not sure I'd risk it without the O-ring - I can see ink all through the threaded area, even with silicone.
(I do use other pens converted to EDs without O-rings.)

Which other pens do you use without O rings?

[fncll]

I never use an O-ring and haven't had a problem. This is what I carry in the pen slot in my wallet so it sees a lot of shaking (not to mention being sat on constantly) . I like the idea of just sealing them up and tossing them...they hold plenty of ink to last a good long time.