Where to buy Technical pens/Rapidiograph pens

Starfury · Post by **Starfury** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 12:36 am

Since I've gotten back into painting I discovered my old rapidiograph pens had died due to the ink drying in the pen. I'm looking for a good source to buy 3 pens from. Any suggestions?

I'd also like information on printing decals. I'm doing Gorn with the orange triangle logo and painting by hand is not giving the results I want.

Thx!

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:41 pm

I recently picked up a complete set of 12 radiograph pens from "Michael's". They have a complete line of drafting / mechanical drawing implements. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately), the one nearest my house lost their lease and closed. I picked up a new airbrush, the radio-graph pen set, and scads of paints / brushes for 70% off. Luckily there are still 4 other Michael's in Nashville, so I still have a source for quality paints / brushes.

Starfury · Post by **Starfury** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:27 pm

You got an incredible deal.

I did find a 7 pen set 4x0, 3x0... w/ ink for $60 (shipped) on eBay. Considering the tips online are $13 and the pens $18 this is a good deal. I'll have to spring for cleaning kit and some white ink. It'll make lettering the Gorn ships I have easier. In the past I've used them on Warhammer 40k marines and the black ink in the right spots adds a lot to the miniature.

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:46 pm

I've often wondered about the white ink. Does it work well? If so, it would be awesome for the lettering on the Gorn ships.

I originally purchased mine for use on Warhammer miniatures. The intention was to color the recessed lines in the panels of my eldar vehicles is a contrasting color... but I ended up using them for lettering on purity seals, posters, grafitti, even used them for trim work on the marine shoulder pads.

Starfury · Post by **Starfury** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:00 pm

The white ink works great on the Gorn ships. I did do a set w/ decals; the decals look great but were a pain to put on. The triangle markings using decals are best, but the rest can be done by hand just as good as the decals.

On the 40k guys, I'd outline the helmet eyes with black and use it for detail spots that ink/brush wouldn't work. On the terminators with the power gloves I'd paint it a solid color then use the larger size pen to draw on black lines. Yellow/black stripes looked really good on them.

I also found if you had a minor 'goof' in the paintjob sometimes you could hide it with the ink.

trynda1701 · Post by **trynda1701** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:53 pm

A question from a new member.

Trying to get back into wargaming, and as my preferred subject is starship combat, I want to get back into getting miniatures painted.

Although its been years since I used one, when you talk about the Rapidograph (Radiograph?) pens, are they the same thing as the technical pens I used at school (MANY moons ago! :roll), where the ink comes down a thin metal tubular nib, or are they some sort of VERY fine tipped felt pen?

Thanks for your time!

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:31 am

They are the same thing. The two brands that I am familiar with are Rapidograph and Staedtler Mars. I have several of the S-M pens from my time as an aspiring artist. I have used them forfine detail on several minis... the only caveat is this:
Once you've used the technical pen, the ink is suceptible to running. In my experience, a couple of really thin coats of clear-coat (sprayed from a decent distance) will protect the lines w/o allowign them to bleed.
But as always, YMMV.

trynda1701 · Post by **trynda1701** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:38 am

THAT was the name I couldn't remember, Staedler!

I thought that using such a pen would be difficult, as I would be trying not to scratch the paint job with the metal nib?

I take it just takes practice!

By the way, YMMV? (I'm terrible at these!

)

djdood · Post by **djdood** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:12 am

Your Mileage Might Vary

trynda1701 · Post by **trynda1701** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:21 am

djdood wrote:Your Mileage Might Vary

Ah, gotcha!

Note to self, gotta learn txt speak and urban slang!

Scoutdad · Post by **Scoutdad** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:25 am

trynda1701 wrote:THAT was the name I couldn't remember, Staedler!

I thought that using such a pen would be difficult, as I would be trying not to scratch the paint job with the metal nib?

I take it just takes practice!

By the way, YMMV? (I'm terrible at these! )

I have scratched the paint before... but then again, I have scratched the paint with a 3B drawing pencil - so again YMMV... hahahaha.

I prefer using a 20/0 script brush and acrylic paint thinned with an appropriate color ink, but I know several painters that will only use the technical pens - so it's a matter of personal choice.