*** We only officially accept Eureka ultem ink cartridge as main ink storage device for our pens.
We no longer officially recognize Con-70 / Con-40 as converter for Eureka fountain pen models.
Although they are still compatible, you must read con-70 related manuals / tips before using them.
It is tricky to get it right, although if you are skilled / experienced with the system, it should be fine.
For those having difficulties getting it to work properly, we recommend the machined ultem cartridge instead.
also, because of the way Con-70 was produced, external surface is not consistently accurate between batches / not perfectly round.
So some of them may require "taming" by wearing the external surface down to match eureka grip part.
This is only problematic for fitting into eureka grip section, which uses external surface to seal (as opposed to internal surface).
Using Con-70 is a bit different from usual, for Eureka pens.
this is inevitable, because i wanted to maximize the durability of the grip and feeder components.
thanks to this design, the grip section is practically indestructible. also the ebonite feeder is very robust.
knowing below facts will help you use the Con-70 conveniently for your Eureka pens.
◆ ◆ ◆ installing the con-70 ◆ ◆ ◆
*all currently produced pens have an additional O-ring installed onto the tail of the ebonite feeder.
O-ring is not absolutely necessary, but if you want secondary protection, O-ring can be purchased @ "Shop(Parts)" category.
the O-ring can be added to all products that use the 5th gen. ebonite feeder.
If your pen is installed with an O-ring, then there is no point of using silicone grease, unless you need tertiary(3rd) protection.
*for ebonite grip sections, it is not necessary to insert the con-70 all the way.
ebonite is more flexible and made from natural rubber,
so it will seal better than peek / ultem material.
--- Make sure there's no ink on the outside of the Con-70 converter (clean with tissue)
--- Make sure there's no ink on the inside wall of the grip section (clean with tissue)
--- apply a thin layer of silicone grease, on the outside of the Con-70
use as little as possible,
never apply too much silicone grease, it could enter the feed and clog the ink pathway.
(below brand is what i use, which is a high quality silicone grease. you can use cheaper ones if you want to, there's shouldn't be any problem)
--- You will notice, it will be much easier to insert the con-70 all the way, thanks to the silicone grease.
if there's some grease seeping out at the end of the grip section, remove with tissue.
this method will ensure 100% seal, practically forever.
I do recommend users to not remove the converter, unless absolutely necessary.
however, it is up for you to decide how you are going to use the converter.
if you frequently install / remove the converter, you may have to repeat the above steps.
if for some reason, thread area becomes contaminated with ink,
use soap, detergent, diluted alcohol, or diluted bleach to clean the area. use a tooth brush if needed.
also make sure to flush the pen by using the converter with clean water afterwards, especially with bleach.
because it may rust the stainless steel nib, if left in there for a prolonged period of time.
◆ ◆ ◆ how to fill the Con-70 ◆ ◆ ◆
1) there are two ways to fill the con-70 converter, without removing the converter:
--- (Full dip fill)
if the feeder is completely dry, you should insert into the ink, all the way to the start of the grip section
--- (Tip dip fill)
if the feeder is already wet, you can immerse above heart hole of the nib, to fill the converter.
this is possible because, if the feeder is wet, sealing is achieved at the opening of the grip section.
so the only unsealed pathway is the heart hole. so you can fill through the heart hole partially.
tip dip fill will be cleaner method to fill the converter, because you don't have to wipe the ink from the grip section.
2) submerge the nib into the ink bottle.
after submerging, push down the button fast (This mostly pushes out air from the Con-70),
3) then release the button very slowly (if you release the button too fast, little or no ink will be sucked up into the Con-70)
releasing button very slowly is the key, to properly draw the ink up.
otherwise, air will be sucked in as well.
4) repeat 2, 3 steps, until you get full ink fill.
5) at the Last button release, remove the nib from the ink bottle.
then release the buttron very slowly to draw up residual ink from the nib / feeder (outside the grip section).
this will help you achieve a cleaner ink fill.
◆ ◆ ◆ Removing ink from the Con-70 ◆ ◆ ◆
1) remove the barrel (body) from the grip section.
This is how to properly hold the converter (for ink filling, removing, flushing, etc.)
use your left hand to securely hold the grip section or the converter.
use your right hand to hold the converter.
when pushing the button, use your right hand index finger or thumb.
thumb is stronger than index finger, so button control may be easier.
2) press the button slowly, to mostly remove ink.
then release the button fast (this will suck up mostly air)
3) after you release the button, adequately shake the pen with downward force, to drop the ink down.
when shaking, make sure you don't lose grip of the pen, or slam the nib into the bottle (which will possibly result in damage). do not shake the pen too hard.
4) then repeat the above process until most of the ink is gone.
if you want to, you can remove residual ink,
by dabbing the bottom of the nib @ the Lip(opening) of the ink bottle.
◆ ◆ ◆ Flushing the con-70 ◆ ◆ ◆
1) left photo is what the conver looks like, after removing most of the ink.
turn on the water, and position your pen like the right photo below.
aim the water directly to the bottom of the feed, at the opening of the grip section.
2) if you find the sweet spot, you do not have to immerse the grip section in water to flush the converter.
by aiming at the sweet spot, you can use flowing water the flush the converter.
3) repeatedly push and release the button, until it is clean.
4) similar to removing the ink, remove remaining water by shaking the pen with downward force, to drop the water down. then press the button to remove water. repeat if necessary.
◆◆◆ additional info regarding the con-70 ◆ ◆ ◆
1. there has been a feedback regarding high-viscosity inks.
one of such ink is Montblanc midnight blue.
such ink has high surface tension due to its high-viscosity.
this ink sometimes stick to the internal converter wall,
and sometimes have trouble transfering to the feeder, leading to weaker ink flow.
for this, a small plastic or stainless ball, sized 2mm, can be placed into the converter.
i suggest using 1~2 balls, but there's insufficient research regarding this.
so, 2 or more balls could be placed, but this requires more testing.
just make sure the balls don't interfere with the ink filling process.
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It may be hard at first, using the con-70 for your eureka pens.
but once you get used to it, and acquire the necessary skills, it will be easy to use / maintain.
This system is quite bulletproof, and will last indefinitely until the con-70 mechanism breaks down.
replace the con-70 , if it gets broken.