identification of pen size. These pens are avail-
able either as individual fountain pen units,
resembling a typical fountain pen, or as a set,
having a common handle and interchangeable pen
units. The pen shown in figure 2-31 is a part of
a set of technical fountain pens.
Some reservoir pens for lettering are made so
the point section will fit in a Leroy scriber. (The
Leroy letter set will be discussed in chapter 3.)
These pens may also be used for any work that
a regular technical fountain pen is used for.
Processes of Using the
Technical Fountain Pen
As shown in figure 2-32, you must hold the
technical fountain pen so that it is perpendicular
to the drawing surface at all times. If you don’t
hold the pen in the correct manner, the point will
bevel or wear unevenly and eventually form an
elliptical point. With the point in this condition,
the pen will produce lines of inconsistent widths.
To fill the reservoir of a fountain pen, use the
knob located on the barrel opposite the point.
When you turn the knob counterclockwise, a
plunger is forced down into the barrel forcing out
any ink remaining in the reservoir. Place the point
end of the pen into the ink and turn the knob
clockwise to pull the plunger up. As the plunger
is pulled up, ink is drawn through the point,
filling the reservoir.
To fill the ink cartridge type of pen shown in
figure 2-31, remove the cartridge from the body
142.327
Figure 2-32.-Drawing with a technical fountain pen.
and insert the ink bottle dropper all the way into
the reservoir cartridge. Place the dropper in
contact with the bottom of the reservoir cartridge
to prevent the ink from forming air bubbles. Fill
the cartridge to approximately three-eighths of an
inch from the top, then replace the cartridge and
clamp ring.
Care and Cleaning of the
Technical Fountain Pen
The feed tube of the pen point is threaded (fig.
2-3 1). Along this threaded portion is an inclined
channel that allows air to enter the ink reservoir.
This channel must be free of dried ink or foreign
particles to ensure correct ink flow. When
cleaning the pen, scrub the threads and channel
with a brush, such as a toothbrush, wetted with
a cleaning solution of soap and water. A cleaning
pin (a tiny weighted needle) is made so that it fits
into the feed tube and point (fig, 2-31). This
cleaning pin assures a clear passage of ink from
the reservoir to the point. Usually, a light shake
of the pen will set the cleaning pin in motion,
removing any particles that settle in the tube when
not in use. (Do not shake the pen over your
drawing board.)
If the pen is not used frequently, the ink will
dry, clogging the point and feed tube. When the
pen becomes clogged, soak the pen in pen cleaner
or ammonia water until it will unscrew with little
or no resistance. A better practice is to clean the
pen before you put it away if you know in
advance that you will not be using it for several
days.
The cleaning pin must be handled with care,
especially the smaller sizes. A bent or damaged
cleaning pin will never fit properly into the feed
tube and point.
DRAWING INK
A draftsman’s drawing ink is commonly called
INDIA INK. Drawing ink consists of a pigment
(usually powdered carbon) suspended in an
ammonia-water solution. Ink that has thickened
by age or evaporation maybe thinned slightly by
adding a few drops of solution of four parts aqua
ammonia to one part distilled water. After the ink
dries on paper, it is waterproof. Drawing ink is
available in many different colors, but for
construction and engineering drawings, black ink
is preferred for reproduction and clarity. Small
2-25
