supersurgilator
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I was just wondering what you all did with your old, empty printer cartridges.
Printer Cartridges
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autowasherfreak
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Cartridges
I have mine refilled at Cartridge World, instead of buying new cartridges.
James
I have mine refilled at Cartridge World, instead of buying new cartridges.
James
sudsmaster
Well-known member
I've had bad luck with refilled cartridges, both done myself and bought at Costco (Rhinotek). I've gone back to genuine HP cartridges. And yes, I don't go through that many at home here so I'm just gonna chuck 'em in the trash when done.
We throw ours away, or at least we used to. We got tired of trying to keep an Epson R800 fed, so a few months ago we replaced it with a Brother HL-5250DN laser printer. Has Ethernet, duplexing, and uses one 7000+ page toner cartridge instead of eight ridiculously small and expensive color cartridges.
It's 10x as fast, and print quality for B&W documents is better to boot.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828113212
It's 10x as fast, and print quality for B&W documents is better to boot.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828113212
panthera
Well-known member
I refill
printer cartridges for my HPs and ancient Canons.
Toner is too scary for me, but at 20,000 pages/cartridge I am not too bothered, just return the used cartridge to Brother, postage prepaid.
Using Pelican Brilliant Schwarz 4001 fountain pen ink, I can refill a black cartridge twice and get perfect documents. After that, some of the heads seem to fail.
I've never been satisfied with the color refills, so buy the commercially refilled color cartridges which have 3x the quantity of ink.
printer cartridges for my HPs and ancient Canons.
Toner is too scary for me, but at 20,000 pages/cartridge I am not too bothered, just return the used cartridge to Brother, postage prepaid.
Using Pelican Brilliant Schwarz 4001 fountain pen ink, I can refill a black cartridge twice and get perfect documents. After that, some of the heads seem to fail.
I've never been satisfied with the color refills, so buy the commercially refilled color cartridges which have 3x the quantity of ink.
autowasherfreak
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Refilling Cartridges
At one time I was refilling my own, and one time all the ink ran back out and into the printer. Oddly enough the printer stilled worked after than. I put the printer on it's side with a bunch of newspaper, and old towels to soak up the ink. I never refilled a cartridge again, and went back to buying new cartridges.
I've been using Cartridge World for 2 or 3 years now, and I've been very happy with them. I was going to have them refilled at Walgreens the next time they needed to be refilled, but I couple friends of mine told that Walgreens doesn't fill the cartridges as full as Cartridge World, and not to bother with Walgreens.
I have two HP inkjet printers Deskjet 6122 with a duplexer and extra paper tray. I won it off of eBay for $29.95. It's been a great printer so far. My second HP is a 4-in-1 Office Jet 4215V, which I got off of our local FreeCycle group. The owner said it just quit printing one day, so she bought a new. Of course the printer stopped printing, it ran out of black ink. I put a new cartridge in in and it prints perfectly.
James
At one time I was refilling my own, and one time all the ink ran back out and into the printer. Oddly enough the printer stilled worked after than. I put the printer on it's side with a bunch of newspaper, and old towels to soak up the ink. I never refilled a cartridge again, and went back to buying new cartridges.
I've been using Cartridge World for 2 or 3 years now, and I've been very happy with them. I was going to have them refilled at Walgreens the next time they needed to be refilled, but I couple friends of mine told that Walgreens doesn't fill the cartridges as full as Cartridge World, and not to bother with Walgreens.
I have two HP inkjet printers Deskjet 6122 with a duplexer and extra paper tray. I won it off of eBay for $29.95. It's been a great printer so far. My second HP is a 4-in-1 Office Jet 4215V, which I got off of our local FreeCycle group. The owner said it just quit printing one day, so she bought a new. Of course the printer stopped printing, it ran out of black ink. I put a new cartridge in in and it prints perfectly.
James
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
I've been having my Lexmark carts refilled at Walgreens since they started offering the sevice. The last two times I had the black filled, they said it didn't pass the print test, so they gave it to me no charge. Both times it worked fine in my printer!
Of note, the more popular carts, HP and Lexmark, are supposedly going to be manufactured so that if you try to refill them or have them refilled, they won't work! The guy explained it to me like so:
There's a bladder that holds the ink, and normally it can be punctured in the proper spot (where the fill hole is) and it's not a problem. Once the new system is in place, there will be a little 2-piece sensor in the cart. One piece will be on the inside of the plastic cart body and the other on the bladder. They'll be perfectly aligned in the manufacturing process. When you try to puncture through the fill port, the bladder will shift ever so slightly, and the sensors will no longer be aligned. When you put the cart back in the printer, the printer won't recognize that it's there, so it won't let you print.
Has anyone else heard anything about this?
BTW, as far as recycling the carts, even if you don't have them refilled, you can turn them in for purchase credit at Staples. They used to give a free ream of paper for each one. Now you get a $3 "like cash" voucher toward a purchase. And Walgreens gives you 10 free prints for turning them in.
Chuck
Of note, the more popular carts, HP and Lexmark, are supposedly going to be manufactured so that if you try to refill them or have them refilled, they won't work! The guy explained it to me like so:
There's a bladder that holds the ink, and normally it can be punctured in the proper spot (where the fill hole is) and it's not a problem. Once the new system is in place, there will be a little 2-piece sensor in the cart. One piece will be on the inside of the plastic cart body and the other on the bladder. They'll be perfectly aligned in the manufacturing process. When you try to puncture through the fill port, the bladder will shift ever so slightly, and the sensors will no longer be aligned. When you put the cart back in the printer, the printer won't recognize that it's there, so it won't let you print.
Has anyone else heard anything about this?
BTW, as far as recycling the carts, even if you don't have them refilled, you can turn them in for purchase credit at Staples. They used to give a free ream of paper for each one. Now you get a $3 "like cash" voucher toward a purchase. And Walgreens gives you 10 free prints for turning them in.
Chuck
sudsmaster
Well-known member
I've got an old Laserjet 4 that I use for mass quantities of B&W printing. But it jams occasionally and is a power hog. Also, it has only a parallel port, and newer computers seem to lack parallel ports.
I might pop for a color laserjet the next time one rolls around to Costco again. I really don't like inkjets.
I might pop for a color laserjet the next time one rolls around to Costco again. I really don't like inkjets.
it has only a parallel port
HP made a nifty gadget called a "Jet Direct" which will expose an upstream ethernet port, and a downstream parallel port. This effectively networks your parallel port printer. You can usually find them on eBay, just need to be careful to get the parallel-port variant, because other models provide downstream connections for USB printers.
HP made a nifty gadget called a "Jet Direct" which will expose an upstream ethernet port, and a downstream parallel port. This effectively networks your parallel port printer. You can usually find them on eBay, just need to be careful to get the parallel-port variant, because other models provide downstream connections for USB printers.
autowasherfreak
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Parallel Printers
There is a cable that is USB at one end and parallel at the other. I haven't tried it yet, the price is $45 to $50 that's why I haven't tried it. The majority of my printers are older laser and dot matrix machines that are parallel only. I dread getting a new computer with only USB ports. My roommate has a new Dell, and there are no PS2 ports or USB ports on it at all. I had to get him a adapter so he could use his PS2 mouse and PS2 keyboard.
The times they are a changing I guess.
Jim
There is a cable that is USB at one end and parallel at the other. I haven't tried it yet, the price is $45 to $50 that's why I haven't tried it. The majority of my printers are older laser and dot matrix machines that are parallel only. I dread getting a new computer with only USB ports. My roommate has a new Dell, and there are no PS2 ports or USB ports on it at all. I had to get him a adapter so he could use his PS2 mouse and PS2 keyboard.
The times they are a changing I guess.
Jim
SmartChips
We use Epson 4800's, 4880's, 9800's and 9880's at work. They all come with the "Smart Chip" technology. They can't be refilled. (Then again, we use them for contract color proofing of printed pieces...we have to be 100% positive of the ink that's in those cartridges.)
Even their waste tanks, smart chip technology. On our old proofers, we could just empty the wast tanks and put them back in...not on the Epson's!
Jeff
We use Epson 4800's, 4880's, 9800's and 9880's at work. They all come with the "Smart Chip" technology. They can't be refilled. (Then again, we use them for contract color proofing of printed pieces...we have to be 100% positive of the ink that's in those cartridges.)
Even their waste tanks, smart chip technology. On our old proofers, we could just empty the wast tanks and put them back in...not on the Epson's!
Jeff
Inexpensive USB to Parallel
Check out MonoPrice.com for an inexpensive, high quality cable. One of the major magazines buy all the cables for their testing from them. Check about halfway down the page.
Lisa
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10311
Check out MonoPrice.com for an inexpensive, high quality cable. One of the major magazines buy all the cables for their testing from them. Check about halfway down the page.
Lisa
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10311
autowasherfreak
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Thanks Lisa!
That is a lot cheaper than the ones I've seen in OfficeMax and Office Depot. I will have to bookmark that page for if and when I get a new computer.
James
That is a lot cheaper than the ones I've seen in OfficeMax and Office Depot. I will have to bookmark that page for if and when I get a new computer.
James
JetDirect clarification
A whole lotta products are called JetDirect, and there are over 700 on eBay right now. The particular one that I have, for a parallel-interfaced printer, is model 300X (J3263A). There's 40-odd of these on eBay, $8-15.
A whole lotta products are called JetDirect, and there are over 700 on eBay right now. The particular one that I have, for a parallel-interfaced printer, is model 300X (J3263A). There's 40-odd of these on eBay, $8-15.
whitekingd
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I used to be a printer repairman.
Never, ever, refill your inkjet cartridges on your own. So many, many printers came in to the shop with customer refilled cartridges that leaked all over inside the machine. It is a horrible mess that is time consuming and expensive to clean up. I don't know about the Walgreen's refilling of cartridges. They started that after I got out of the business. I would recommend you buy the original factory cartridges, just to be safe. HP cartridges have the print head built in, so, even if you refill them, they will only last so long. Just buy new. I do!
Never, ever, refill your inkjet cartridges on your own. So many, many printers came in to the shop with customer refilled cartridges that leaked all over inside the machine. It is a horrible mess that is time consuming and expensive to clean up. I don't know about the Walgreen's refilling of cartridges. They started that after I got out of the business. I would recommend you buy the original factory cartridges, just to be safe. HP cartridges have the print head built in, so, even if you refill them, they will only last so long. Just buy new. I do!
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
HP cartridges have the print head built in, so, even if you
I'm lucky in that mine is on its 2nd refill and doing fine. Maybe it won't make another!
But, where can you get cartridges at a decent price (other than fleabay)? $30-33 for a black HP #16 cart is ridiculous! I've seen the new Kodak printers, and their claim to fame is that their carts are something like $10 and give the same number of prints (I think I have that right). Anyone try one of those yet?
Chuck
I'm lucky in that mine is on its 2nd refill and doing fine. Maybe it won't make another!
But, where can you get cartridges at a decent price (other than fleabay)? $30-33 for a black HP #16 cart is ridiculous! I've seen the new Kodak printers, and their claim to fame is that their carts are something like $10 and give the same number of prints (I think I have that right). Anyone try one of those yet?
Chuck
It was "Today's Special" so I just had to get
I just bought the Kodak EasyShare 5500 printer (and copier, and fax, and scan, and -- orgasmatron?). Kodak claims that their cartridges do not cost so much. Anybody know about this unit? I will start to use it today and let you know.
I just bought the Kodak EasyShare 5500 printer (and copier, and fax, and scan, and -- orgasmatron?). Kodak claims that their cartridges do not cost so much. Anybody know about this unit? I will start to use it today and let you know.
My Sad Printer Experience
I've learned a valuable lesson about printer ink: There's a big difference among ink jet brands when it comes to economy and it's better to use the brand name cartridges rather than economy brands. When I bought my Dell computer, I took the free Dell (Lexmark-made) printer with it, instead of keeping my faithful and reliable HP model. Stupid move. The Dell was slow, clogged often, ran out of ink faster than my old HP printer, and the refils were expensive. So in a fit of anger, I tossed out the Dell printer, went to (that big box store that claims you can save money and live better) and ended up with a basic Canon model for about 32 dollars.
It's far better than the old Dell/Lexmark printer; it's faster and has better print quality. Plus, it uses far less ink and the cartridges themselves are cheaper to buy.
I have concluded that refilling the cartridges is not my best option, so I now shop around to get the best price for Canon-made ink cartridges.
I've learned a valuable lesson about printer ink: There's a big difference among ink jet brands when it comes to economy and it's better to use the brand name cartridges rather than economy brands. When I bought my Dell computer, I took the free Dell (Lexmark-made) printer with it, instead of keeping my faithful and reliable HP model. Stupid move. The Dell was slow, clogged often, ran out of ink faster than my old HP printer, and the refils were expensive. So in a fit of anger, I tossed out the Dell printer, went to (that big box store that claims you can save money and live better) and ended up with a basic Canon model for about 32 dollars.
It's far better than the old Dell/Lexmark printer; it's faster and has better print quality. Plus, it uses far less ink and the cartridges themselves are cheaper to buy.
I have concluded that refilling the cartridges is not my best option, so I now shop around to get the best price for Canon-made ink cartridges.
Interesting thread. I've never refilled a printer cartridge, although I have considered it. (I'm cheap.) Plus, I have a feeling that my cartridge may be fade from production before I quit using my printer. The cartridges are now getting harder to find. (I can't really upgrade, since this is used with an older computer, and it's been years since any printer has worked with its operating system.)
I've found some new, sealed cartridges in thrift stores. The strangest time was when I found my first ink jet printer. (An exciting buy, since I'd been "making do" with a "near letter quality" dot matrix printer.) I grabbed it, and two aisles later, I stumbled across a new, sealed cartridge. A good thing, since the cartridge in the printer was almost empty.
Buying in a thrift shop does have the risk of age deterioration. I'm not sure how big a deal that is, but some companies provide expiration dates. I've never had a problem, and these days I don't use the ink jet printer for anything more ambitious than a personal letter or a draft to proof read.
For those with Epson printers, BE CAREFUL with refills. Epson has permanent print heads, and I've been told by owners that they can clog on off-brand ink.
And for those who do a lot of printing, you've probably heard this, but it's worth repeating--get a laser printer. They are the cheapest choice by far.
My roommate has two laser printers--one for fast drafts, and a good color model. Given the amount of printing--especially in color--those printers have probably paid for themselves with the ink-cost savings.
I've found some new, sealed cartridges in thrift stores. The strangest time was when I found my first ink jet printer. (An exciting buy, since I'd been "making do" with a "near letter quality" dot matrix printer.) I grabbed it, and two aisles later, I stumbled across a new, sealed cartridge. A good thing, since the cartridge in the printer was almost empty.
Buying in a thrift shop does have the risk of age deterioration. I'm not sure how big a deal that is, but some companies provide expiration dates. I've never had a problem, and these days I don't use the ink jet printer for anything more ambitious than a personal letter or a draft to proof read.
For those with Epson printers, BE CAREFUL with refills. Epson has permanent print heads, and I've been told by owners that they can clog on off-brand ink.
And for those who do a lot of printing, you've probably heard this, but it's worth repeating--get a laser printer. They are the cheapest choice by far.
My roommate has two laser printers--one for fast drafts, and a good color model. Given the amount of printing--especially in color--those printers have probably paid for themselves with the ink-cost savings.
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
Kodak claims that their cartridges do not cost so much.
Bob,
I was referring to the Kodak ESP 3 and ESP 5 multi-function orgasmatrons when I posted. However, after looking on the Best Buy website, I see that the cart that goes into these two, the #10, is compatible with the 5000 series EasyShare multi-function 'trons, like your 5500!
Black - $10
Color - $15
Combo pack (one of each) - $23!
I'm wondering if anyone has used these printers yet?
Chuck
Bob,
I was referring to the Kodak ESP 3 and ESP 5 multi-function orgasmatrons when I posted. However, after looking on the Best Buy website, I see that the cart that goes into these two, the #10, is compatible with the 5000 series EasyShare multi-function 'trons, like your 5500!
Black - $10
Color - $15
Combo pack (one of each) - $23!
I'm wondering if anyone has used these printers yet?
Chuck
rolls_rapide
Well-known member
Epson Printers & cheap ink
I would tend to agree.
The Epson inkjet models use piezo-crystal technology to mechanically deposit ink upon the paper. Other manufacturers use heater elements to boil the ink, which spurts onto the page.
The Epson models print heads are permanently attached to the printer; only the ink section is renewed when replacing a cartridge.
Others, such as HP, have the heads in the cartridge itself, so a brand new genuine HP cartridge gives a new print head, too.
I had an Epson that worked fine on Epson cartridges, but was hopeless on refilled (by me) ones. It also didn't like third-party brands. The shops stopped stocking the genuine cartridges, so I threw the damned thing in the bin!.
It can actually work out cheaper to buy a new printer when the ink runs out, than buying genuine replacement cartridges.
What a sad state of affairs.
I would tend to agree.
The Epson inkjet models use piezo-crystal technology to mechanically deposit ink upon the paper. Other manufacturers use heater elements to boil the ink, which spurts onto the page.
The Epson models print heads are permanently attached to the printer; only the ink section is renewed when replacing a cartridge.
Others, such as HP, have the heads in the cartridge itself, so a brand new genuine HP cartridge gives a new print head, too.
I had an Epson that worked fine on Epson cartridges, but was hopeless on refilled (by me) ones. It also didn't like third-party brands. The shops stopped stocking the genuine cartridges, so I threw the damned thing in the bin!.
It can actually work out cheaper to buy a new printer when the ink runs out, than buying genuine replacement cartridges.
What a sad state of affairs.
Perc-O-Prince Chuck I will unpack Today's Special tonight and let you know how it works tomorrow (Saturday). Now, don't you wish you had not missed "Today's Special"?
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
Well, maybe and maybe not. The BB reviews on the ESP series printers say they're a bit on the loud side, and there was some trouble with them initially. A few said they were GREAT, however.
I'll hold off buying one until I hear, firsthand, from someone who's used one.
Chuck
BTW- both models I mentioned are currently under $120 on sale, and come with a free 2MB flash drive.
I'll hold off buying one until I hear, firsthand, from someone who's used one.
Chuck
BTW- both models I mentioned are currently under $120 on sale, and come with a free 2MB flash drive.
dirtybuck
Well-known member
Epson Printers Here...
Epson C86 and CX-9400 Fax All In One. So when I run out of ink, the cartridge goes into the trash. I'm NOT EVEN going to take a chance in refilling it...and don't know if it can be done.
Epson C86 and CX-9400 Fax All In One. So when I run out of ink, the cartridge goes into the trash. I'm NOT EVEN going to take a chance in refilling it...and don't know if it can be done.
Oh, oh, the news is not good....
Last night I set up Today's Special - The Kodak 5500 Easy Share all in one printer, and found that it refuses to print in color. I am all ready to ship it back to HSN, but I emailed Kodak and "Eduwardo" sent me a polite email apologising and giving me some things to do to try to make it work. None of it worked, so I am going to call them tomorrow, maybe they will send me a new print head? I'll let you know what happens. By the way, it is a bit noisy, like it is in a little bit of distress.
This is first time I had a problem with HSN: My cell phone and Wolfgang Puck cookwear were Today's Specials and I almost bought Todd English's Green Pans, but I already have the WP pans.
Last night I set up Today's Special - The Kodak 5500 Easy Share all in one printer, and found that it refuses to print in color. I am all ready to ship it back to HSN, but I emailed Kodak and "Eduwardo" sent me a polite email apologising and giving me some things to do to try to make it work. None of it worked, so I am going to call them tomorrow, maybe they will send me a new print head? I'll let you know what happens. By the way, it is a bit noisy, like it is in a little bit of distress.
This is first time I had a problem with HSN: My cell phone and Wolfgang Puck cookwear were Today's Specials and I almost bought Todd English's Green Pans, but I already have the WP pans.
Kodak EasyShare
Funny you should mention...
I purchased an EasyShare 5500 for the Fax/Copier/color photo printer part of it. It's not networked (which we have at the house) so I hooked it up to my PC via USB. I could never get the software installed to recognize the printer. I then hooked it up to Jason's PC (both IBM Desktop Units) and his computer installed/recognized the software almost immediately. I then was able to "share" the printer and I can print to it flawlessly. It's an amazing printer. Fast, Quiet and CHEAP, Kodak figures that the cost of supplies for a 4 X 6 photo (in about 45 seconds) is right at 14 cents on the heavyweight paper and 12 cents on the lighter paper.
It does have a built in duplexer (on the special that I got) which does a good job. The only thing that I did notice, however, was that you can't duplex a 2 sided original (copy job), you can only duplex a print job.
Other than that, it's great. And yes, you can get the combo pack with a color and a black cartridge and usually 100 sheets of photo paper for around $23.00.
If you're not interested in the paper, check out sites such as www.lasermonks.com or www.inkgrabber.com. I'm using LaserMonk's toner in my OptraT616, HP5si and my Oki color 5200.
Jeff
Funny you should mention...
I purchased an EasyShare 5500 for the Fax/Copier/color photo printer part of it. It's not networked (which we have at the house) so I hooked it up to my PC via USB. I could never get the software installed to recognize the printer. I then hooked it up to Jason's PC (both IBM Desktop Units) and his computer installed/recognized the software almost immediately. I then was able to "share" the printer and I can print to it flawlessly. It's an amazing printer. Fast, Quiet and CHEAP, Kodak figures that the cost of supplies for a 4 X 6 photo (in about 45 seconds) is right at 14 cents on the heavyweight paper and 12 cents on the lighter paper.
It does have a built in duplexer (on the special that I got) which does a good job. The only thing that I did notice, however, was that you can't duplex a 2 sided original (copy job), you can only duplex a print job.
Other than that, it's great. And yes, you can get the combo pack with a color and a black cartridge and usually 100 sheets of photo paper for around $23.00.
If you're not interested in the paper, check out sites such as www.lasermonks.com or www.inkgrabber.com. I'm using LaserMonk's toner in my OptraT616, HP5si and my Oki color 5200.
Jeff
Well, the new print head came today and I installed it and now the printer is working! I'm glad Kodak came through on this one, they apologized and sent me another set of ink cartridges.
Here is what I printed with the color cartridge, which has a lot of color; the colors are a little dull than on the screen but maybe that becuase of the paper? and it is a lot of color?
http://www.sallycorp.com/Darkrides/Nights In White Satin.htm
Here is what I printed with the color cartridge, which has a lot of color; the colors are a little dull than on the screen but maybe that becuase of the paper? and it is a lot of color?
http://www.sallycorp.com/Darkrides/Nights In White Satin.htm
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