Refilling A Ball Point Pen with InkJet Ink... 2 BIG QUESTIONS!

[Nifty]

DISCLAIMER: This is one of those refill-a-holic type things that is done for FUN more than to save money!!!

Friends,

I've been using my inkjet printer ink to refill my rolling ball pens for a while and have had mixed success, but for the most part I've been successful and have been having a bit of fun. Here is my pen of choice to refill, a Pilot Precise "V series" pen

I started to write the rest here in the forum but decided to just create a page here:
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/refill-pen-inkjet-ink.php

The main questions are posted on that page, but here is the nutshell:

1) How do I fill the pen with the tip down and preventing the ink from running out?
2) How do I seal the refill hole?

I look forward to your thoughts, comments, and suggestions!

 

[Grandad35]

Rob,

This site sell syringes that have 3.5" long needles (http://216.219.159.185/tools.html#anchor26067). As long as you refill before the ink drops to that level, you could refill from the top. You could also use something like a catheter (http://www.allegromedical.com/urologicals_catheters/intermittent_catheters/personal_catheter.P191767) to reach all the way to the bottom, but these cost more than a new pen and won't be able to penetrate any filler material that might be in the pen. My local hardware sells small diameter thin wall tubing if you could adapt it to your syringe.

To seal the tip, try sticking the pen into some modelling clay that is flattened onto your work surface - this would also serve as a holder for the pen while you refill it.

When do you plan on forming the first chapter of IAA (InkAholics Anonymous)?

 

[BlasterQ]

I'm using Staedtler Technical Pens. They are designed to be refillable, and uses pigment based ink. Been using these pens since I was a kid. Used by architects, draftsment, and engineers.

 

[Nifty]

Thanks for the replies guys! Grandad, I've not used modeling clay for many years, do I need to worry about clay getting into the rolling ball parts?

 

[Grandad35]

Rob,

Since wax doesn't mess up the tip, I figured that clay wouldn't be any worse.

 

[fotofreek]

How about food grade silicone putty? Check out Mack's ear plugs at the pharmacy. knead it a bit and stick your pen in it. Non clogging and non-reactive. That will leave you with a set and a half of earplugs for noisy flights, snoring spouse, the neighbor's lawn mower or leaf blower, etc.

 

[Nifty]

Oh yeah... I know that stuff! Do you think it will provide a good enough seal? If so, I think I'll give it a try.

 

[fotofreek]

It certainly "seals" my wife's ears well enough that she sleeps through my snoring and doesn't hear her alarm clock ring in the morning!

 

[Emulator]

The things they used to talk about in 2005.

 

[SuperareTech]

10 years later, I was thinking of making a set of four pens with cyan, magenta, and yellow ink. The black pen would be larger, of course.