How to get a pen to flow smoothly

longshadowfarms · #1 03/05/08, 09:34 AM

Seems a silly thing but I homeschool and the red pen is handy for marking papers. The last batch of pens I bought doesn't want to flow smoothly. Crazy things stop flowing all the time. I haven't found a solution that works more than a second or two.

Common Tator · #2 03/05/08, 09:47 AM

Good luck on that! Last batch of pens I had that wouldn't flow smoothly straight from the package were all defective.

AngieM2 · #3 03/05/08, 10:03 AM

light a match, hold the tip of a ball point pen (might work with gel) into the flame for a few seconds, then write to clear the burnt off ink and gunk.

Usually will work.

Angie

TNHermit · #4 03/05/08, 10:22 AM

I've had two packages of pens that were DOA. Only time I get mad enough to throw things

How about felt tip markers? Anybody know how to get them to work if you leave the cap off a few minutes

Aintlifegrand · #5 03/05/08, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngieM2

light a match, hold the tip of a ball point pen (might work with gel) into the flame for a few seconds, then write to clear the burnt off ink and gunk.

Usually will work.

Angie

Yes it works for me.

EDDIE BUCK · #6 03/05/08, 10:32 AM

Heating the tip will work as others mentioned but what I do is heat a cup of water in micro take cup out and stand pens in cup for a couple of minutes seems to last longer that way. Eddie

longshadowfarms · #7 03/05/08, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDDIE BUCK

Heating the tip will work as others mentioned but what I do is heat a cup of water in micro take cup out and stand pens in cup for a couple of minutes seems to last longer that way. Eddie

I've already melted the tips of a few in the flame

I confess I haven't started any of them on fire though! That's a good one! Pushing the tip on the hot woodstove works best so far so I'm liking this water idea! I'll definitely give it a shot!

Rocky Fields · #8 03/05/08, 12:37 PM

Hey.

Get an "astronaut pen"...writes upside down;-)

RF

MaineFarmMom · #9 03/05/08, 01:19 PM

I shake them like a thermometer to force the ink to the ball. It works sometimes.

Quint · #10 03/06/08, 01:18 AM

Pilot V Ball pens. Cheap and they work incredibly well. I'm obsessive about these pens and I rarely write with anything else.

TexasArtist · #11 03/06/08, 11:27 AM

In some of my artwork I use the old style dipping pens. Sometimes if the ink dries up in the container I'll add a little bit of distilled water. I'm wondering if you could put a little D.W. in a cap dip your ink pen then scribble on some paper to start a good flow.

longshadowfarms · #12 03/06/08, 12:44 PM

Well, I discovered that if you heat up a pen in hot water and then press too hard on the tip you can break the tip right off! I'll keep an eye out for those Pilot pens next time I purchase. The most recent one out of the pack actually works fine - a first out of this pack.

Quint · #13 03/06/08, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longshadowfarms

I'll keep an eye out for those Pilot pens next time I purchase.

Seriously you will love them. Any time I'm around anyone with a pen problem I'm pimping those Pilot V Ball pens. "Pen isn't working? Oh you have to try this one!"

I prefer the extra fine point. They come in all colors...blue, black, red, green etc.

I will admit to using an old fashioned fountain pen occasionally. They're nice to write with but hard to keep running right.

blufford · #14 03/06/08, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quint

Pilot V Ball pens. Cheap and they work incredibly well. I'm obsessive about these pens and I rarely write with anything else.

Sams Club sells the Pilot Gs in large packages. I bought mine quite a few years ago. They use up every bit of their ink.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/sea...mpleitemtype=0