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 penunits. The pen shown in figure 2-31 is a part ofa set of technical fountain pens.Some reservoir pens for lettering are made sothe point section will fit in a Leroy scriber. (TheLeroy letter set will be discussed in chapter 3.)These pens may also be used for any work thata regular technical fountain pen is used for.Processes of Using theTechnical Fountain PenAs shown in figure 2-32, you must hold thetechnical fountain pen so that it is perpendicularto the drawing surface at all times. If you don’thold the pen in the correct manner, the point willbevel or wear unevenly and eventually form anelliptical point. With the point in this condition,the pen will produce lines of inconsistent widths.To fill the reservoir of a fountain pen, use theknob located on the barrel opposite the point.When you turn the knob counterclockwise, aplunger is forced down into the barrel forcing outany ink remaining in the reservoir. Place the pointend of the pen into the ink and turn the knobclockwise to pull the plunger up. As the plungeris pulled up, ink is drawn through the point,filling the reservoir.To fill the ink cartridge type of pen shown infigure 2-31, remove the cartridge from the body142.327Figure 2-32.-Drawing with a technical fountain pen.and insert the ink bottle dropper all the way intothe reservoir cartridge. Place the dropper incontact with the bottom of the reservoir cartridgeto prevent the ink from forming air bubbles. Fillthe cartridge to approximately three-eighths of aninch from the top, then replace the cartridge andclamp ring.Care and Cleaning of theTechnical Fountain PenThe feed tube of the pen point is threaded (fig.2-3 1). Along this threaded portion is an inclinedchannel that allows air to enter the ink reservoir.This channel must be free of dried ink or foreignparticles to ensure correct ink flow. Whencleaning the pen, scrub the threads and channelwith a brush, such as a toothbrush, wetted witha cleaning solution of soap and water. A cleaningpin (a tiny weighted needle) is made so that it fitsinto the feed tube and point (fig, 2-31). Thiscleaning pin assures a clear passage of ink fromthe reservoir to the point. Usually, a light shakeof the pen will set the cleaning pin in motion,removing any particles that settle in the tube whennot in use. (Do not shake the pen over yourdrawing board.)If the pen is not used frequently, the ink willdry, clogging the point and feed tube. When thepen becomes clogged, soak the pen in pen cleaneror ammonia water until it will unscrew with littleor no resistance. A better practice is to clean thepen before you put it away if you know inadvance that you will not be using it for severaldays.The cleaning pin must be handled with care,especially the smaller sizes. A bent or damagedcleaning pin will never fit properly into the feedtube and point.DRAWING INKA draftsman’s drawing ink is commonly calledINDIA INK. Drawing ink consists of a pigment(usually powdered carbon) suspended in anammonia-water solution. Ink that has thickenedby age or evaporation maybe thinned slightly byadding a few drops of solution of four parts aquaammonia to one part distilled water. After the inkdries on paper, it is waterproof. Drawing ink isavailable in many different colors, but forconstruction and engineering drawings, black inkis preferred for reproduction and clarity. Small2-25
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