UPSB v3
Approved Tutorials / Retractable Comssa tutorial
by K4S
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Date: Mon, Jun 16 2008 05:46:49
Welcome to the Retractable Comssa tutorial!
The 12th tutorial by me, K4S
I decided to make this mod after seeing how well my retractable flex MX turned out. This is the second mod of my comssa quadrilogy.
I realize there are already multiple versions of retractable comssa but this one assembled so nicely and easily that I figured it was worth making a tutorial to give people more options
. Overall, not much is changed from a regular metallic comssa mod. If made correctly the back section should not rattle at all when spun.
(I assume no responsibility if you are careless and sustain eye damage or dismember your finger/hand from trying to follow my tutorial to make this pen mod. Remember, you can’t spin pens without fingers.
)
Some basic stats/info:
-19.9cm
-COG is 0.2cm from COP, toward the front (slightly front heavy)
-slightly heavier than a metallic comssa
-double sided
-retractable
-Total cost is about $10 (give or take depending on how much grip you use and where you get your pens)
-Does not rattle when spun if made correctly.
So let us begin…
1.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg96/jt...lecomssa001.jpg
Pens you need:
1x comssa (double capped)
1x rsvp (for the inktube)
2x HGG (for the 2 metal tips, and 1 backplug)
1x Zebra F-301 pen
Grips of your choice (anyball/profile grips are used in this tutorial; not seen in picture)
2.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg96/jt...acFlexMX002.jpg
Disassemble the F-301 pen. Wrap an elastic around the body for added leverage. Grab the metal body and pull out the retractable mechanism.
***Tip: twist the whole retractable mechanism as you pull it out of the metal tube.
This is what you need from the F-301 pen:
3.
Remove the two white plastic pieces first before cutting the mechanism body!!! (the picture only has the white plastic pieces in it because I was too lazy to disassemble the entire thing.)
Cut the F-301 mechanism according to measurements in the picture. You want the “2.0cm†section, so cut 1.6cm from the back and 2.9cm from the front.
4.
5.
6.
Be sure to insert the long white plastic piece (from step 4) FIRST before adding tape to the 0.4cm section. Once you add the second portion of tape to the white plastic piece, you will not be able to remove the white plastic piece.
This is what it looks assembled. Remember to put that second small white plastic piece back into the mechanism!
7.
Empty out the comssa (remove ink, backplug and felt tip). Cut off the tip as seen in the picture and use a drill bit to widen the hole so that an rsvp inktube can slide through unobstructed.
8.
Completely hollow out one of the comssa caps (as seen on the right side). Make a hole on the other comssa cap such that an rsvp inktube and slide through unobstructed but an HGG tip can still be screwed on. (as seen on the left side).
Once the comssa caps have been modded, screw on an HGG tip to the comssa cap with the small hole and then add on the grips of your choice.
9.
The spring I used came the F-301.
10.
Put the inktube assembly into the comssa body, then push the F-301 mechanism onto the back of the comssa. It should snap into place.
What it looks like assembled
After that, put on the comssa caps on their correct side…
Final Product!
Trouble Shooting Questions:
Q: Is a dremel needed for this mod?
A: Nope, I just used an xacto/utility knife.
Q: How did you hollow out the comssa cap?
A: I used drill bits. Be careful though, good drill bits are a lot sharper than you think…I’ve had some close calls ._.
Q: Instead of using an empty rsvp inktube to extend the length (from step 9) can I just use a wooden skewer?
A: Yes.
Q: Eww, COG doesn’t equal COP
A: The COG is a measly 2mm toward the front, you won’t even notice it.
Q: Couldn’t I just grip the back slightly heavier and make COG = COP?
A: Yep, an extra ring of grip would probably balance things out just fine.
Q: Do I have to use HGG tips?
A: Yes because the tips need to screw onto the comssa cap as well as slide through a hollowed out comssa cap and very few tips can do that (with the exception of milky pen hgg tip substitutes or oldschool HGR tips)
Q: The mod rattles when I spin it T_T
A: Did you put enough tape on the white plastic clicker piece (from step 4)? You need to have just enough tape so that it can still slide through the hole easily but still have minimal side to side movement in order to eliminate rattling.
Q: Where do you buy the pens for this mod?
A: Zebra F-301 and rsvp can be found at walmart/staples. The comssa and HGG can be bought at penwish or you can just trade someone for some.
Q: The little white piece of the back clicking mechanism keeps falling out
A: Yes, after you cut the F-301 mechanism the little tabs which hold that white piece are taken off so the white little plastic piece easily falls out. Just assemble it correctly and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. And be careful not to lose it ._.
Q: I can’t push the F-301 mechanism into the back of the comssa T_T
A: Grow some muscles and try harder ._.
Q: I followed your tutorial exactly but it doesn’t work.
A: It’s likely even though you measured everything exactly the same, the actual assembly of the pen mod changed a few variables and it doesn’t fit the same as when I made it myself. The mod is simple enough you can probably figure out what went wrong and fix it yourself. If not, post your question.
Q: The mechanism won’t click forward
A: The inktube is probably too long.
Q: Do I need to add tape to the back of the comssa so that the comssa cap will stay on?
A: You shouldn’t have to since the F-301 mechanism makes the back of the comssa bulge out slightly so the comssa cap should stay on nicely.
Q: Why did these tutorial take so long to make?
A: School, work, going to the gym 5 days a week, friends, life in general….and procrastination.
Q: Release tutorials faster
A: Pay me money and I will.
Q: Why do you release your tutorials in clusters instead of doing them 1 by 1?
A:
…it’s a quadrilogy ._.
Q: Wait a sec, this Q&A looks oddly similar to your other comssa quadrilogy tutorials…
A: Yep, the 4 mods part of my quadrilogy all use the same mechanism and body, hence why I call it a comssa quadrilogy and why the Q&A are quite similar.
Q: Have you taken some sort of (p)engineering class or something to make all the pens you do?
A: No, I have no engineering background nor do I have any sort of background in electronics (…and yet I still came up with an LED pen mod haha)
Q: Why don’t you release a tutorial of your LED pen mods T_T
A: As complete as they look, every time I make a new one I improve it on a lot of small factors, so as of yet the final LED mod is not 100% complete yet…it is shaping up to be one sexy pen mod though ;D
Q: There are already tutorials for retractable comssa’s!!!
A: I already covered this in my introduction. I created this tutorial so people have options when deciding how they want to make a retractable comssa. Plus, mine is better anyway :> -
Date: Mon, Jun 16 2008 06:00:59
Yet another sweet one! Good Job!
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Date: Mon, Jun 16 2008 06:14:23
i am making this pen for sure now. The pen itself was teasing me right from when i opened the tut
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Date: Mon, Jun 16 2008 06:34:32
K4S = Pen Modding God... That is all I have to say.
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Date: Tue, Jun 17 2008 06:25:31
Someone asked what the difference was between my tutorial and Dr1v37h38u5's tutorial. My tutorial doesnt have as much of a problem with the mechanism rattling when you spin it but other than that I dont think there is much of a difference between the final result of either tutorial.
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Date: Tue, Jun 17 2008 06:32:46
I'll get the parts for urs, and compare it to Dr1v37h38u5's... I've made so many small tweaks to Dr1v37h38u5's, if ur's is silent from the start, it'll be worth it.
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Date: Tue, Jun 17 2008 06:45:48
umm...k4s-i think that was my question
...
well thanks for answering it so quickly
...i guess that they are pretty much the same-the hardest part for both of them is getting rid of those nubs 
....i am DEFINITELY going to make this when i get my comssas ...or if you release ur mp comssa i will make that 
either way, thanks for your version of the retractable comssa
now GO RELEASE SOME MORE TUTS AND PWN LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO K4S!
*also...even though it may take longer...i think it would be a bit easier if you were to release ur other mp/retractable mods in sets by categories...just to remind you -
Date: Tue, Jun 17 2008 09:08:32
you stole my idea
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Date: Tue, Jun 17 2008 10:17:04QUOTE (Madlens @ Jun 17 2008, 04:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>you stole my idea
uh oh!!
i do it the same way...
but instead of using that mech i used a bic retr cuz its cheaper lol. -
Date: Tue, Jun 17 2008 14:57:33QUOTE (Madlens @ Jun 17 2008, 05:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>you stole my idea
Hmm, I forgot you had a retractable comssa tutorial. Either way, i used a completely different mechanism; a mechanism that can be found in abundance in north america. No one here can find "Mitsubishi SH-80 gel pen" so my tutorial is more applicable for UPSB. As well, i never claimed to be the original creator, in fact, i mentioned in the introduction that multiple retractable comssa tutorials already exist and i was simply giving modders another option to choose from.
If we want to play the "I created this first" game then Dr1v37h38u5 is the original creator and all subsequent versions of retractable comssa are therefore stolen from him.... -
Date: Tue, Jun 17 2008 15:40:22
The three designs of the retractable comssa metallic all use different parts, but the "difficult" part that makes most people not want to attempt to make it is the cutting out the center of the Comssa cap, as it is difficult. I've made Dr1v37h38u5's, I plan to make K4S's, and I wish I could make Madlens's (no Mitsubishi SH-80 gel pen, where can u get one?) and do a comparison. K4S's and Dr1v37h38u5's appeal more to people in USA, since a F-301 and Bic Click Stik are easily found in the USA, while i don't know where the Mitsubishi SH-80 gel pen (Japan?) can be found.
Back on topic: If anybody is mad about the COG not being the COP, add a little tape onto the back of the inktube. Enough tape should fix the COG offsetting. Though if u really need to do this, ur really picky. -
Date: Tue, Jun 17 2008 21:03:26
Looks great! I'd love to make one, but I don't have HGGs. :P
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Date: Wed, Jun 18 2008 02:36:08
Luckily i have all the right pens at this very moment
Great tutorial btw -
Date: Wed, Jun 18 2008 05:32:46
K4S...I love you.
I also love yourpenispens. -
Date: Wed, Jun 18 2008 16:32:01
Any ideas on how to empty the cap part?
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Date: Wed, Jun 18 2008 16:37:53QUOTE (nolan @ Jun 18 2008, 11:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Any ideas on how to empty the cap part?QUOTE (K4S @ Jun 16 2008, 12:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Q: How did you hollow out the comssa cap?
A: I used drill bits. Be careful though, good drill bits are a lot sharper than you think…I’ve had some close calls ._.
Best way i've found for a clean way of hollowing out the cap is with drill bits...i havent really tried any other way since the drill bit method works great for me. -
Date: Wed, Jun 18 2008 16:41:00QUOTE (nolan @ Jun 18 2008, 12:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Any ideas on how to empty the cap part?
i'm guessing drill bit =\ i dont' see how else you would empty it
for the partially emptied caps, i used to have tips on them that just snapped off along with that little nub....but i woulnd't suggest doing that cause then you'd lose a perfectly good tip cause the nub would be stuck in the tip -.-'' -
Date: Thu, Jun 19 2008 00:19:47QUOTE (K4S @ Jun 17 2008, 10:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hmm, I forgot you had a retractable comssa tutorial. Either way, i used a completely different mechanism; a mechanism that can be found in abundance in north america. No one here can find "Mitsubishi SH-80 gel pen" so my tutorial is more applicable for UPSB. As well, i never claimed to be the original creator, in fact, i mentioned in the introduction that multiple retractable comssa tutorials already exist and i was simply giving modders another option to choose from.
If we want to play the "I created this first" game then Dr1v37h38u5 is the original creator and all subsequent versions of retractable comssa are therefore stolen from him....
ha ha
just kidding man
yours is much more easier to make
better than mine
great job man -
Date: Mon, Jun 23 2008 15:21:18
I like your usage of the F-301 retract mechanism. I'm going to make one of these tonight, i'll post a pic. This is an instance where dremel tools are worth buying.
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Date: Mon, Jun 23 2008 18:16:18
@cudofcow- if you have a genuine exacto knife or a blade that is reasonably sharp, you can cut out all the nubs in the comssa cap in about 5 mins cause the nubs r pretty thin.
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Date: Mon, Jun 23 2008 18:58:41QUOTE (writenamehere @ Jun 23 2008, 02:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>@cudofcow- if you have a genuine exacto knife or a blade that is reasonably sharp, you can cut out all the nubs in the comssa cap in about 5 mins cause the nubs r pretty thin.
Oh i know. Lucky for me i already have that previously mentioned dremel so i am fortunate enough to be able to drill the hole in about 3 seconds flat. -
Date: Mon, Jun 23 2008 19:44:43
3 SECONDS! I wish I had a dremel... Anyways how long did it take you to make the tuts for the quadrilogy K4S? All of them are extremely clear and easy to understand
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Date: Tue, Jun 24 2008 03:55:25QUOTE (writenamehere @ Jun 23 2008, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Anyways how long did it take you to make the tuts for the quadrilogy K4S? All of them are extremely clear and easy to understand
Thanks. Uh, in total probably only 3-4 days (about a day per tutorial) but that was spread over a month or so because i was really really busy with class/work/life at the time. -
Date: Tue, Jun 24 2008 13:05:41
I just finished this mod last night. I think this is now one of my favorites. This pen looks so damn slick! I have different grippage on mine.
I had a little trouble with the placement of the spring and spring tape, but after a little tinkering around i think its nicely placed. Make sure to get the drilled holes for the ink tube cut big enough so there is no resistance on the ink or the retractable mechanism is going to have trouble clicking.
I like. 6 stars! -
Date: Wed, Jun 25 2008 00:34:32
agh, i'm trying to empty the comssa cap with an x-acto, and it's a pain in the ass
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Date: Wed, Jun 25 2008 00:58:16QUOTE (Aiyah @ Jun 24 2008, 07:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>agh, i'm trying to empty the comssa cap with an x-acto, and it's a pain in the ass
It get's easier eventually... I've done it I believe atleast 6 times and the last two times it was really easy. -
Date: Wed, Jun 25 2008 21:33:38
wow you guys suck
i ask drivethebus and other people to help me make his mod and no one helps me and jump on this mod...
anyway gj on mod, bandwagon jumping bastards
i use scissors and then i rub the sharp edge against the inside top edge of the cap and it will start shaving it down
i cut it down to the length that i need it to
cheap man's method *thumbs up*
anyway, no offense jerks. woo -
Date: Thu, Jun 26 2008 17:05:41QUOTE (Aiyah @ Jun 24 2008, 08:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>agh, i'm trying to empty the comssa cap with an x-acto, and it's a pain in the ass
Dont cut off your fingers. It sucks. -
Date: Thu, Jun 26 2008 19:35:33
too late...
k4s, all your fault
jk -
Date: Tue, Jul 8 2008 05:18:14
How do you get out the Zerba pen mechanism?
I already ruined one... -
Date: Tue, Jul 8 2008 07:04:59QUOTEDisassemble the F-301 pen. Wrap an elastic around the body for added leverage. Grab the metal body and pull out the retractable mechanism.
***Tip: twist the whole retractable mechanism as you pull it out of the metal tube. -
Date: Tue, Jul 8 2008 07:34:09
YEah and that didn't work. w/e I have it by ~now.
I used a Bell Color Body + Caps but the pen won't retract...
I mean it doesn't even click..
What can I do? -
Date: Sun, Jul 13 2008 07:19:49
NOICE!
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Date: Wed, Jul 16 2008 05:44:35
Is there a mechanical pencil version of this?
I tried looking it up but cant find
link plz -
Date: Wed, Jul 16 2008 05:50:44
no tut for mp metallic comssa yet...
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Date: Wed, Jul 16 2008 05:56:18
Check the sigs on the first page.
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Date: Wed, Jul 16 2008 06:00:35
TRoc, have u looked at the parts for that? It's really hard to get the parts for that in the US...
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Date: Wed, Jul 16 2008 06:24:48
Yeah, I guess...
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Date: Sat, Jul 19 2008 04:05:31
Can i use a namae comssa cause i wanna make a full white one but namae comssa is 1.5 cm shorter would i have to shorten the extra rsvp ink tube and would the namae body work in the first place??? any suggestions for full white?
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Date: Sat, Jul 19 2008 07:04:40QUOTE (Kuma @ Jul 19 2008, 12:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Can i use a namae comssa cause i wanna make a full white one but namae comssa is 1.5 cm shorter would i have to shorten the extra rsvp ink tube and would the namae body work in the first place??? any suggestions for full white?
How about using a cartoon comssa, those are white
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Date: Sun, Jul 20 2008 06:06:55QUOTE (K4S @ Jul 19 2008, 03:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>How about using a cartoon comssa, those are white
But cartoon comssas body is thinner and caps are different from the original comssa, rite? So its still possible to make a rectractable comssa out of it? Or did i bought the wrong cartoon comssas... -
Date: Sun, Jul 20 2008 06:08:50
U might have bought different cartoon comssa's... I have a retractable comssa using cartoon comssa's, and it works fine...
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Date: Sat, Aug 30 2008 20:44:32
this is probably too late to post a tip, but i guess if you use a hybrid technica tip the back would even out.
They fit in the cap like regular hgg tips, but are heavier. Unfortunatly they look sorta gay. I found a whole bunch in taiwan for like almost a buck each.
the bottom is rectagular so there is a place to hold the tip if you want to take it out. -
Date: Sun, Aug 31 2008 02:41:49
I tried to make this mod...it was a failure.
Didn't look pretty, I wouldn't be surprised if I messed up so bad it blew up in my face. -
Date: Sat, Dec 6 2008 14:05:15
Looks nice
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Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 03:26:28
In the final product, what is that red/blue ring looking things on the ends? And how do I make those? (Might be a really dumb question, but don't wanna risk messing up comssas)
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Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 05:05:06QUOTE (Mak1302 @ Dec 23 2008, 10:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>In the final product, what is that red/blue ring looking things on the ends? And how do I make those? (Might be a really dumb question, but don't wanna risk messing up comssas)
It's just profile grips + dr.grip grip
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Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 10:12:09
Thanks, just finished making it. Took me 6 hrs, but it got made =)
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Date: Sun, Dec 28 2008 16:15:45
Sexy mod! so it is a difficult mod to make?
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Date: Fri, Jan 16 2009 19:23:19
This is my favorite mod to spin
except the tutorial looks a bit complicated.
i made it a bit differently using Bic Clic pens.
same concept
easier materials to get
and i think my way was a bit easier.
but still, great tutorial, great mod.
1 question
how and what did u use to make the rear end comssa cap to be hollowed out so cleanly?
i mean mine is all scratched up and crappy from trying it drill it out with a small drill....
any advice? -
Date: Sun, Jan 18 2009 04:03:28
it's so cool =]
but it can mod by SUPER GRIP
it's more easy xD -
Date: Wed, May 20 2009 02:06:58
ugh, i have run into so many problems trying to make this mod
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Date: Mon, Nov 9 2009 22:18:15
This tutorial looks great, but I already have my hgg tips in, and recently decided I might make it retractable. How can I get them out without destroying the caps? I can, for example, push them sideways, and when they hit the ground they sometimes become off-center, but I can't manage to get them out.
Also, since I don't have availability to HGGs besides penwish, and I already have the tips, do I HAVE to buy a whole pen+shipping for the backplug, or is there some way I can substitute something else for it? -
Date: Thu, Dec 10 2009 21:48:50QUOTE (TEK @ Jun 17 2008, 04:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>uh oh!!
i do it the same way...
but instead of using that mech i used a bic retr cuz its cheaper lol.
...but it rattles. D: -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 17:08:03QUOTE (Penz is cool @ Nov 9 2009, 06:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>This tutorial looks great, but I already have my hgg tips in, and recently decided I might make it retractable. How can I get them out without destroying the caps? I can, for example, push them sideways, and when they hit the ground they sometimes become off-center, but I can't manage to get them out.
Also, since I don't have availability to HGGs besides penwish, and I already have the tips, do I HAVE to buy a whole pen+shipping for the backplug, or is there some way I can substitute something else for it?
Waiting for reponse.
I also have 2 tips, but no backplug. Could the clicker of a G2 be a sub? -
Date: Sat, Dec 12 2009 20:53:57QUOTE (Penz is cool @ Nov 9 2009, 04:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>This tutorial looks great, but I already have my hgg tips in, and recently decided I might make it retractable. How can I get them out without destroying the caps? I can, for example, push them sideways, and when they hit the ground they sometimes become off-center, but I can't manage to get them out.
Also, since I don't have availability to HGGs besides penwish, and I already have the tips, do I HAVE to buy a whole pen+shipping for the backplug, or is there some way I can substitute something else for it?
First off, take a rubber band (or any grippy grip) and put it around the tip. Then twist counterclockwise, and it should come off.
Test some stuff, or try a HUGE amount of tape?QUOTE (Nation @ Dec 10 2009, 03:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>...but it rattles. D:
You didn't make it right, then... -
Date: Fri, Dec 18 2009 21:12:34QUOTE (CPM8 @ Dec 12 2009, 02:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>First off, take a rubber band (or any grippy grip) and put it around the tip. Then twist counterclockwise, and it should come off.
Test some stuff, or try a HUGE amount of tape?
You didn't make it right, then...
Bic RT mech rattles, at least in my RT mx
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Date: Sat, Jan 9 2010 16:54:59
EPIC FAIL. I ordered RSVP, x2 HGG and Zebra M-301 instead of F-301!
I was really mad. So I sat up the whole night and tried out other mechanisms. After some intense hours I found the Pilot Super Grip restractable mechanism. I nook some wire cutters and a knife and cut off the whole fat part and used that instead.
Then I used the Pilot Super Grip inktube to make my first RSVP.
EPIC FAIL? Not so much. Thanks for the tutorial. Nice FAQ -
Date: Mon, Jan 11 2010 20:48:50QUOTE (bi a op @ Jan 9 2010, 10:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>EPIC FAIL. I ordered RSVP, x2 HGG and Zebra M-301 instead of F-301!
I was really mad. So I sat up the whole night and tried out other mechanisms. After some intense hours I found the Pilot Super Grip restractable mechanism. I nook some wire cutters and a knife and cut off the whole fat part and used that instead.
Then I used the Pilot Super Grip inktube to make my first RSVP.
EPIC FAIL? Not so much. Thanks for the tutorial. Nice FAQ
You can use a bic mech. that's what TEK did. -
Date: Mon, Jan 11 2010 23:01:22QUOTE (Nation @ Jan 11 2010, 02:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>You can use a bic mech. that's what TEK did.
Bitch please, that method was around before TEK even started spinning: http://z15.invisionfree.com/UCPSB/index.ph...=0#entry1422480 -
Date: Wed, Jan 13 2010 16:14:11QUOTE (o.0dsrp @ Dec 12 2009, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Waiting for reponse.
I also have 2 tips, but no backplug. Could the clicker of a G2 be a sub?
I used a g2 backplug and it was ok, just maybe a little more rattly/movement. i wrapped tape around it after to prevent more rattling. -
Date: Thu, Apr 1 2010 22:37:33
Help, what did I do wrong. The f301 mechanism doesnt click into back and the back hgg tip with its attached parts slips out the back comssa cap. I followed all the directions, so what happened?
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Date: Fri, Apr 2 2010 02:14:31QUOTE (Anderfreeb @ Apr 1 2010, 05:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Help, what did I do wrong. The f301 mechanism doesnt click into back and the back hgg tip with its attached parts slips out the back comssa cap. I followed all the directions, so what happened?
Does the mech not move at all, and when you try to click, you feel like it's stuck? Then the inktube is probably too long, or you didn't cut a hole in the front comssa cap.
As for the back HGG tip, you need to add more tape under the HGG back cap, for it to stay on the mech.