-> I'm told you can purchase what look like hypodermic needles to
-> inject new ink into old cartridges? I'm also told it can be
-> destructive if you don't seal the puncture and ink leaks into
-> the machine from over-filling the tanks with ink.

TW>  Refilling Ink Cartridges is related to Vodoo. It works for some and
TW> and not for others. I see the kits at the swap meet al lthe time. Some
TW> have Fantastic sucess and others give up in disgust. But you are right,
TW> One of the Key Factors in the NOT overfill the cartridge. Which with
TW> most being foam filled is difficult.
TW> The most sucess is with Non HP casrtridges. In the HP cartridge teh Ink
TW> Jest themselves are in the Cartridge. They are picky about ink
TW> composition. And being disposable are not designed for repeated use.
TW> Flow Erostin damages them over time. Some I know suggest filling a HP
TW> cartridge only 2 times and them disposing of it. That will still reduce
TW> your ink costs significanty if one is one of the lucky ones in the
TW> refilling game.

 My experiences have been that you have to buy
a quality refill kit with the correct ink for
your particular cartridge(s).

 I have refilled my own HP cartridges 3 times
without a problem and my Lexmark twice. We
frequently refill HP cartridges at work, too.

 I have had to soak the cartridges when I let
them sit too long without ink. Never let them
sit without ink! Refill early.

 The ink is not just for marking the paper; it
also keeps the ink jets cool. They operate by
super-heating the ink so that it "explodes"
onto the paper. Without ink, they can quickly
die.

 Lexmark and HP take very different inks. I'm
surprised that people are selling "universal"
refill kits because I ruined an HP cartridge
by putting Lexmark ink into it. I bought a new
HP cartridge and have been refilling it ever
since.

 TTYL.

 Robert

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