Electronics > Mechanical & Automation Engineering
Very High Grit Sandpaper Application Question
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SteveThackery:
Another use I have for lapping films is for tuning fountain pen nibs. I use 5, 3, 1 and 0.3 micron films. Obviously the initial shaping is done with 5 micron, then progressively finer to polish the nib until it gives the desired amount of "tooth" (resistance as it moves over the paper). For a toothy nib I usually stop after using the 5 and 3 micron films. Applying the 1 micron film makes the nib noticeably smoother, and the 0.3 micron film lets the nib feel like it's almost floating across the paper.

Although a floaty nib would seem desirable, many people (including me) find that their handwriting is neater when the nib has some drag on the paper.

PS: toothiness is not the same as scratchiness. A scratchy nib tears the paper fibres and drags them along with the nib, causing blotches and other unwanted marks.
jpanhalt:
Do you  polish differently for lefties and righties to correct for the angle and strokes?
SteveThackery:

--- Quote from: jpanhalt on Yesterday at 08:12:21 pm ---Do you  polish differently for lefties and righties to correct for the angle and strokes?

--- End quote ---

The experts - "nibmeisters" - do, yes. I don't because I'm just a hobbyist doing my own pens.
jpanhalt:
Esterbrook didn't (circa 1950's).  Was it not an expert?  I'm glad you know the difference.  I would return to ink in an instant if I could find a decent pen at a reasonable price for a leftie.  Otherwise, I am stuck with Pilot ballpoints.   ;D
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