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Area F.Hrdsft.Tech: Computer technical conference
From:    Charles Angelich
To:      Phil Marlowe
 Feb 05, 03 15:29:20
Subject: Refilling Laser Toner
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PM> Yep, some of those old dot matrix printers produced pretty
PM> good copy, especially the 24 PIN. Being a minimalist, I
PM> consider mine "good enough," considering that the
PM> print-outs probably just end up getting tossed after awhile.
 
> 24 pin dot matrix did get to be almost
> indistinguishable from laser printouts at one
> point. I think the noise was a factor in their
> demise. They can be annoying when doing a long
> print job.
 
 === Having come from the clickety-clack of the
 typewriter age, they are music to my ears [g].
 
PM> And then, these machines hold up fairly well, with very
PM> little upkeep, a major concern here.
 
> Mixed feelings on this. I've had some strange
> failures of plastic parts on dot matrix printers.
> :-\
 
 === Mine are all so ancient I think they derive from
 a time before plastic was invented (g). I don't
 think that there are many plastic parts to break
 or crumble -- all metal construction -- with the
 weight to prove it.
 
PM> Trouble is the tractor type paper is getting more and more
PM> expensive as less and less people use it. Which is why I'm
PM> now becoming interested in the lasers, which I understand
PM> uses standard xerox type paper. I hesitate making the
PM> switch because now that I'm set up with dot matrix repair
PM> manuals, and have more or less have become familiar with
PM> the dot matrix mechanisms,
 
> There were quite a few of the small carriage dot
> matrix with _traction_feed_ being included as a
> 'package deal' with home computers not many years
> ago and there are probably quite a few collecting
> dust in someone's closet right now available for
> the 'asking'.
 
 === That's my closet you're talking about [g].
 
 For my purposes, that's an advantage. It's means
 the machine are free.
 
PM> I just wonder what hassles the lasers have in store.
PM> Or maybe just I'm avoiding a new learning curve?
 
> First hassle is to have the proper drivers for
> them. If you also use legacy hardware and
> software the laser printer may be newer than your
> computer system.
 
 === Hmm. Hadn't thought of that yet. I was even
 considering setting some of them up on DOS boxes
 but I guess that's not a possibility? These are
 old HPs? Did they ever run on DOS.
 
> Second hassle for most is the cost of the toner
> cartridges
 
 === I was thinking of finessing the refill methods
 mentioned in the laser thread here. Or is that to
 hope for too much?
 
> and third (for me) getting used to the idea that
> sweaty fingers will smudge the printouts.
 
 === Do they? I thought laser printouts were as
 stable as xerox type copies. Are you thinking of
 ink/bubblejet?
 
> Inexpensive bubblejets are probably more common
> in homes and can be purchased new for just a
> little more than the cartridge will cost when the
> first one is used up.
 
 === I'm thinking of cost per page. Someone
 calculated and posted his calculations showing
 that inkjet ink cost more per weight than gold.
 
 That cost per page is:
 
 DOT-MATRIX: CHEAPEST [Less than a penny if I recall]
 
 LASER: VERY CLOSE [Equal if using refills]
 
 INKJET: 5 to 7 cents / page, ie. off the map.
 

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