German "Durchstich" refill method for the PGI-520/CLI-521 cartridges

[geezoir]

First of all, thank you for a great forum.

I have a MP640 which I have decided to start refilling, but I am a little unsure about what ink to go for.

Most people here seems to be very happy with HobbiColors, si I was thinking of going with them too. But looking at their web site it does not seem that they have a specifically formulated CLI-221 ink. Can we use the CLI-8 ink for the CLI-221 as well?

Precision Colors is selling different ink for the two types of cartridges.

 

[pharmacist]

You can use the CLI-8 ink for cartridges, but the colours might be a bit off. Hobbicolors UW-8 is a beatifull ink that does not clog your printer very easily. Image Specialists (Precisioncolors.com) is also known as an excellent refill ink too.

 

[Photofan1986]

Ok, thanks! I'm gonna wait a bit, then.
@pharmacist: No, I think I will first try to fill the tanks in a first place.

 

[15kywalker]

Hello - I am new to the forum but have been reading for hours on the German method because I wanted to refill my Canon Pixma MX860 which uses the PGI-220 and CLI-221 cartridges. I just had a few concerns:

Actually you can use the Durchstich refill method with blunt needles, but one should use a thin and long sewing needle to prepare the sponge to make it easier for the blunt needle to enter the ink compartment. Some even rapported that using a blunt but thin needle is as good as a sharp needle. Take care the needle do not exceed 18 gauge of thickness or you will risk your sponge being pressed together.

1) I was planning on buying the SquEasyFill 100 ml kit (5 bottles) and then add the 20g 2.0" blunt needles, but based on your comment about having a blunt 18g needle, I'm concerned that there will be more resistance with the 20g one. I know Howard Electronic Instruments has an 18g blunt one, but I didn't want to buy a pack of 50 needles. So, would it be ok if I used the 20g one?

2) Secondly, is it difficult to refill the PGI-520/PGI-220 or CLI-521/CLI-221 cartridges when the black tape is surrounding most of the cartridge? I guess my concern is hitting the divider separating the ink reservoir and sponge and not making it to the other side on the first try. This means that I have to take the needle out and try to re-insert it, but wouldn't this create too many holes in the sponge?

3) How would you go about flushing the ink cartridge when the time comes (i.e. wouldn't it be difficult to see if the sponge is clean?) ?


Thanks so much for all your advice!

 

[iP4XXX]

1. 20g needle is smaller than 18g so there should be less resistance.

2.On my first few attempts at refilling, I missed the opening... Backed up the needle and tried again until I got it in with no apparent harmful effects.

3. Flush it until no more ink comes out.

 

[15kywalker]

This is my first experience working with needles for projects or anything. I feel sorta stupid for not realizing that the size decreases with increasing gauge.

Thanks!

 

[The Hat]

15kywalker..

iP4XXX wrote:- 1. 20g needle is smaller than 18g so there should be less resistance.

Thats what this forum is for enjoy..

 

[Rock Slide]

Never having refilled oem carts before, I'll first try it using syringes...then work my way up to squeeze bottles being as I already have a pair of syringes that will work.

What's the best way to clean syringes between colors? Or does everyone just purchase X amount of syringes per color bottle?

Oh and how do you know when to refill your carts if you're not using a chip resetter? It's nice having the printer tell me when my carts are low, but if I'm refilling my oem carts, I no longer get the low ink warning message correct? Do you just guess when to refill or pull out each individual cart periodically and check the ink levels?

 

[ruffin]

Rockslide: Just rinse out your syringes with hot water. You should do that anyway, even if you have syringes for each color. You may find pigment ink a bit tougher to rinse.

Yes, you must visually check ink levels periodically. How often to check levels,
depends on usage. Perhaps checking once weekly to start, until you get an idea of your ink consumption, and then if need be, you could extend check periods.

The squeeze bottle refill method is KING. See them here:
http://www.octoink.co.uk/products/SquEasyFill-100ml-kit-%2d-5-bottles.html
Martin is great to deal with and shipping is very reasonable.
Hope this helps. Regards

 

[Rock Slide]

Thanks ruffin! My Hobbi colors ink just arrived in the mail, so I can't wait to start refilling my carts.

So witht the squeeze bottles, there's no cleaning after each fill as with the syringe fill method correct?

And I take it, you just attach the same needles to the squeeze bottles and you're good to go? Do I still clean the needle after each use w/ the squeeze bottles?