JP6EX JoWo #6 Feed in PenBBS Housing

Description

The JP6EX JoWo #6 feed in PenBBS non-converter housing is designed allow use of JoWo #6 nibs in PenBBS pens such as the 456 Vacuum Filler as well as the 308 cartridge converter pen set up as an eyedropper. I have conflicting reports on whether this product will fit into the 355 Bulkfiller pen. The JP6EX will not function in pens that use cartridge converters. These feeds have been tested with numerous versions of the JoWo #6 nibs, including EF, F, M, B, 1.1mm, and 1.5mm steel nibs, and also some 14k and 18k gold versions.

Caution: The JoWo #6 is larger and longer than the PenBBS #6 nib and will not fit some pens due to the length of the nib. Use caution when closing the nib with the JoWo nib as it will damage the nib if it is too long.

For the 355 Bulkfiller, a customer reported:

I noticed while shopping for another PenBBS-compatible feed and housing that you mention conflicting reports of whether your product fits the 355 Bulkfiller model. I have your black ebonite JP6EX feed and housing installed in a PenBBS 355 with a Jowo #6 steel nib, and wanted to share my experience with it:

– your housing fits perfectly in the grip section
– the 355’s cap required a slight modification to create enough clearance for the Jowo #6 nib

I resolved the clearance issue by disassembling the cap and using a file to increase the clearance for the nib. Specifically, the part of the cap finial that screws into the cap body needed to be shorter so it wouldn’t interfere with the tip of the nib while capping the pen. After several months of daily carry and use, including lots of capping/uncapping while taking notes in class, nothing has gone wrong and I’m still very happy with the whole set-up.

These replacement feeds/housings is available in two versions:

• JP6EX JoWo #6 feed in PenBBS non-converter housing, black ebonite
• JP6AX JoWo #6 feed in PenBBS non-converter housing, clear acrylic

Please note that the ebonite and acrylic feeds I make are NOT compatible with a standard PenBBS thermoplastic housings.

This design is not keyed, so the nib can be rotated into the most pleasing position in your fountain pen.

Installation Instructions

You will need to remove the stock PenBBS nib assembly from your pen. Follow the PenBBS recommendations for the removal of the nib assembly. You must provide your own JoWo #6 nib for this assembly. These nibs are available from a wide range of online vendors.

Here is how to reassemble the JoWo nib with the ebonite / acrylic replacement feed and PenBBS non-converter housing.

• Place the nib on the feed such that the ink slit in the nib is centered on the ink slot of the feed.
• Position the nib such that the tip of the feed is in contact with the bottom of the nib (about 4mm from the tip of the nib to the tip of the feed).
• Slide the nib and feed into the housing, making sure to keep your fingers away from the tines of the nib; never apply pressure to the tines of the nib, only to the base.
• Verify the feed is fully inserted into the housing so that the end of the feed and the end of the housing are aligned.
• Verify that the nib is centered on top of the feed. If not, pull it out, realign it so the slit of the nib is centered on the ink slot, and re-insert.
• Verify that the tip of the nib is no more than 4mm from the tip of the feed; 3mm is better.
• Remove the two o-rings (which look like translucent white rubber bands) from your PenBBS housing and place them in the same locations on the JP6EX.

After verifying your nib assembly, screw it back into the section of your PenBBS pen per the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not over tighten; finger tight is what you want, there is no need to use a tool to tighten the assembly into your pen.

Note: The JoWo #6 nib is larger than the PenBBS nib, so it may not fit into all PenBBS pens. Carefully check the fit before tightly closing the cap of your pen so you don’t damage the nib.

 

A note on interference (friction) fit.The JP6EX nib assembly is held together with an interference fit. This means the diameter of the inside of the housing is smaller than the combined diameter of the nib sitting on the feed. This method of fit is required so the nib and feed don’t move in the housing while you write. The initial fit may be very tight, so tight that you may have difficulty getting the nib and feed fully inserted into the housing.  If the fit is too tight for your finger strength, here are two ways to assist you getting the nib and feed fully inserted into the housing.

1. Soak the feed and housing in warm, soapy water (dish soap works well) for a few minutes, and try again. Chances are the additional lubrication will allow you to fully seat the nib and feed into the housing.
2. After you get the nib assembled into the housing, use your cartridge converter to flush the soapy water out of the nib assembly with clean water until all the soap is gone.

If the assembly is still too tight, then use this method (heat for ebonite only):

1. Soak the housing ONLY in hot water from your tap. You can use water up any temperature that your bare skin can allow, but don’t exceed 60C (140F). Allow the ebonite to soak for a few minutes. It will enlarge and soften slightly due to the hot water and make it easier to slide the nib and feed into the housing. Be careful and make sure not to burn yourself in the hot water. Insert the nib and feed into the housing and adjust as needed to align the feed and nib. Allow the assembly to cool to room temperature and it is now ready for writing.
2. Another method is to freeze the feed to make it shrink slightly. Place the feed in the freezer for 30 minutes and try fitting the nib and feed into the housing.