A Poor Man's "Mini Space Pen"?

M

maury

Joined
Sep 24, 2000
Messages
606
According to the "pen guy" at my local art supply store, all Fisher Space Pens use the same ink cartridge. The only differences in the line are the outer cases, or whatever the proper term for the pen's "outside" might be. The pressurized ink supply, the writing system, et al is all contained in that cartridge. I found this out today and this got me thinking it seems logical that a good little pen could be put together by inserting one of the Fisher refills into a piece of brass or aluminum tubing, one with an ID that's just large enough to accommodate it, and maybe making a cover for the tip with another slightly larger length of tubing. Maybe whittle a wooden plug for the other end. And a bit of epoxy putty packed around the thinner tip end just to support the writing ball.

Sitting here, looking at one of the Fisher cartridges, it seems like this would make for a practical little pen to carry in my wallet or tucked into a pocket notebook. I know this pen would not be comfortable in my big mitts for any serious writing, but it would be handy to have one right where I need it for that occasional emergency bit of scribbling. So, dose this sound like a good idea to anyone else or have I just been sitting home alone too long? Any other suggestions on my "design"?
 
why dont you just buy a fisher pen? its not like they are expensive or anything. I picked mine up for $13.
 
Maybe "poor man's" was misleading: my real point was a Fisher pen that was smaller and easier to carry. The Bullet pen is just a bit too large around for my wallet and also makes too much of a bulge in the notebook I usually carry. Ok, I realise this is all my personal taste; have also seen some cheap pens from China on the counter of my stationary store that look like the right size, but are really cheaply made. This just seemed like a better alternative.

And, yeah, I got a "real" Fisher too!
 
Fisher even makes a very compact model (the "Stowaway") that is little more than the refill itsself with a cap. It's about $10. Very handy.
 
maury,

Zebra made a nice stainless ball point pen that was very small (about 3" long) some years back. I still have it and some refills. Write extremely well, but it is small. I'm not sure if it's still being manufactured.

Regards,
JB
 
Originally posted by Lurker
Fisher even makes a very compact model (the "Stowaway") that is little more than the refill itsself with a cap. It's about $10. Very handy.
Click to expand...
That's probably the model I used to pick up from time to time. I had about a half a dozen of them, and just found one, tucked into a pocket notepad. The pen is by Fisher. It has a lightweight matte black aluminum body, 1/4" x 3 & 3/4" and a gold clip 1 & 3/4" long. It still writes. I've been retired for ten years, so it is at least that old.

So, maury, you had a great idea. But Fisher had the same idea first. Anyway, you cna browse the Fisher website but I doubt you'll find it there anymore.

By the way, Fisher uses the same refiill for all their pens, but they also make different refills for other companies' pens, as well.
 
found it there after reading this thread the other day, it's under
products -> economy -> scroll down. seems like a pretty good deal at 6 bucks.

- Pete
 
Great find, Pete! It is a good buy at $6 since the refill alone goes for $5. It's under products -> economy -> economy pens -> scroll down.
 
Thanks for the info on the "Stowaway" - looks like I won't get to putter around on this one. Of course there is the conundrum of Fisher charging only $6 for the pen - and another $5 for shipping..... ah, so it goes.......
 
Originally posted by maury
Of course there is the conundrum of Fisher charging only $6 for the pen - and another $5 for shipping.
Click to expand...
And so it goes :eek: I was thinking about stocking up, since looking through the website I remembered there are a few pens I had meant to buy. That should spread shipping and handling over a better ratio to products purchased! :D
 
Originally posted by maury
Of course there is the conundrum of Fisher charging only $6 for the pen - and another $5 for shipping..... ah, so it goes.......
Click to expand...

Sort of reminds me of a "warranty" I saw on the back of a cheap indoors thermometer. It says on the back of the blister pack, if unit is found to be defective within one year, return it to xxx company with $3.00 for return shipping, and a new one will be sent to you." They only cost $1.99 in the store. What a great warranty!

Mike
 
This whole "shipping cost" thing is something I want to organize a movement to protest!! OK, fair is fair: I will pay postage - or whatever - for the weight of the item, and a bit more for the cost of packing - Fine!

But why should a light weight item, say a $200 folder, cost me 3 or 4 times more for shipping (not insurance, that's extra) than a $20 folder that weighs the same?

I once had to pay a $5.00 "minimum shipping charge" for a small part that arrived in a an envelope with a single first class stamp on it.

Enough! Man the Baricades! Let's Revolt! Or something......
 
The ones that irritate me the most are the companies that not only calculate the shipping & handling by the cost of the item, but then go ahead and add extra shipping charges for extra heavy items!

By the time you're through, they've got you for more added cost than buying locally and paying tax instead of shipping.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top