Need help with All-in-one

[maxse]

Need some help...

I need to get an All-In-One that is able to send and receive an occasional fax...
It has to be full-duplex so I wont have to turn the page.

Also the most important feature is that I need to get one that has hacked chips released so that I will be able to use aftermarket ink...

I would like to get a refillable cartridge and some nice quality ink bottles and just refill with a syringe when I need to... Im really not up to speed on the latest news with the chips because from what I understand certain manufacturers updated their chips. I want to make sure I get something that has these cartridges available. Thank in advance.

Someone suggested an mp830/530 to me but I am clueless as if these are good choices in terms of quality of inks available and difficulty to obtain chips etc... I really appreciate your help.

 

[maxse]

Wow, what a great forum!

I have just been reading for hours lol. Decided on the MP530, hopefully the right decision. Got it for $137 on Amazon...

Now what do you guys think about the Hobbicolors ink on ebay? Are those needles/syringes that it comes with sufficient for the german method? (I plan to use a thumb-tack for the hole_. Or will I need a longer needle?

 

[stratman]

Wow, what a great forum!

I have just been reading for hours lol. Decided on the MP530, hopefully the right decision. Got it for $137 on Amazon...

Now what do you guys think about the Hobbicolors ink on ebay? Are those needles/syringes that it comes with sufficient for the german method? (I plan to use a thumb-tack for the hole_. Or will I need a longer needle?

There are many people on this forum that use Hobbicolor ink and love it. I have been using Image Specialist ink with great results from www.PrecisionColor.com, which is sold by fellow forum poster Mikling out of Canada. He sells from eBay too.

If you are going to refill using the Geman Durchstich method, then you will need a longer needle. A two inch may do the job but I'd get 2.5" or 3" needles. Your syringe should be at least 10cc, with 20cc maybe being easier to maneuver for some. I purchased 18 guage 2.5 " needles and 10cc/12cc syringes, both which are Luer Lock, from www.alotofthings.com. The push pin idea works nice to make the refill hole. A 2mm drilled hole works well too.

The German method works perfectly. I have not made a mess. It takes ~2 minutes or less to refill a cartridge after your first time or two. Having a "spare" set means swapping in a refilled cartridge will take only a few seconds.

Refilling is fun, saves money and gives one a sense of DIY satisfaction.

 

[maxse]

wow thanks for the tip.

Now in order to have a spare set. Doesn't that mean that I would have to buy expensive Canon OEM cartridges which is precisely what I am trying to avoid?

 

[fish]

Yes, but well worth it. Without the ink level monitor I have been periodically checking visually and changing out the cartridge when a little low with a prefilled spare with no down time.

Also, I have been using IV needles to fill. Initially I had used a wire gage drill bit but changed to a 1/16" bit. The IV needles are long enough but are a little too small in diameter making drawing of the ink from the bottle a chore because of the restriction.

I have the MP830 because of the batch scanning capability.

 

[maxse]

I see. Do you know if there is a place to buy empty OEM cartridges? Since I won't actually be need the ink in the new ones?

Also do I need to buy 5 different syringes and needles (1 for each cartridge)? Or 1 needle and 5 syringes?

 

[fish]

I got my syringes and needles from a nurse friend. I use two - not all of the cartridges go empty all at once. Don't know if the needles that stratman got are sharp or blunt. I have not tried blunt needles but the IV needles insert smoothly and have not been a problem.

Don't know where you can get empty chipped cartridges, maybe ebay?

 

[stratman]

The 18 guage 2.5" needles from www.alotofthings.com are blunt. They work perfectly. A few states in the USA have laws about shipping long sharp needles - DUMB! I have heard that in some European countries you can buy the needles at the local pharmacy. I can't find them that long in my state in the USA.

I have a needle and syringe combo for each color. If you have plenty of money you could throw them out after using once. Otherwise, the dye-based inks rinse completely out. I do mark the syringe and needle for the color of ink used, but that's probably overkill if you rinse well.

You could try eBay for empty OEM Canon cartridges. Or you could look into refilled/reset cartridge from http://www.atlanticinkjet.com/recycled-cartridge-canon.asp (make sure they are OEM Canon cartridges and not an aftermarket manufactured).

If you get some old empty, dried up sponged cartridges then flush them out before filling to remove gunk and potential bacteria/fungus. For more info on flushing cartridges see Grandad35's famous thread at http://www.nifty-stuff.com/canon-BCI-6-cartridges.php . Also, make sure to read the thread at http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=311&p=9.

My own flush kit is as follows:

Purging unit parts from Hope Depot.

1) 3/8" inner diameter clear vinyl tubing (outer diameter 1/2"), 3
feet ~$1.00 worth.

2) One Sweeper Nozzle, Model 56171 at Home Depot, $2.97 (similar to
but with some plastic: http://lawn-garden.gillroys. com/Hoses_ &_Sprinklers/ Hose_Nozzles/ BRASS_SWEEPER_ NOZZLE-s761223.html) . This screws onto my utility sink's threaded fawcet
like a typical garden hose would.

3) One Hose Clamp 7/32" to 5/8" to secure #1 to #2.

4) 2mm hole drilled into the top of the spongeless area next to the edge of the decal (near where the ball is located) to let the purge water out.

Instead of #4, Precision Colors on eBay sells silicon plugs that he claims fit perfectly in place of the ball on the top of the cartridge. This may be a more elegant solution than sealing the top purge hole with hot wax, tap or betal screw. For more info ask Mikling or check out his eBay page at http://cgi.ebay.ca/Plugs-for-refill...photoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262)

The flexible tubing easily fit around the exit port of the cartridge. Warm water washed the sponge clean in well under one minute and I have no ink on my hands. I held onto the cartridge and directed the purge stream down the drain hole, but any ink in the sink washed completely out without staining.