Printing uneven, but nozzle checks are negative

[PenguinLust]

That's just what I told my drill sergeant, right before I shot him in the leg. They said it was the company's quickest discharge.

 

[jtoolman]

Ah....... ok, the warning isn't just a sign of things to come, that's when you need to change carts. Yes, I have been printing w/carts at 1/4 until the printer wouldn't do it anymore. Mine is a personality that wants to get every lick of ink out before I begin the cycle again. but I guess that doesn't make sense when the ink is dirt cheap and the problems of refilling are expensive.

Yes, I know there are a lot of top-filling believers, but I hear the problem is sealing the fill hole, which if bungled, causes a big mess and the bungling sounds easy to do. I've already suffered the agonies of cross-contamination (from a bad print head) and don't look forward to a repeat.

That's why instead of drilling a hole which you can screw up if you are not careful, you instead remove the factory sealing ball which leaves you with a PERFECT hole which with a regular Canon Refiller's plug, seals PERFECTLY!!!!!!!

So you see, there is nothing nightmarish about the process.

Joe

 

[PeterBJ]

Hi PenguinLust

It looks like you are having a lot of problems with the German refill method, so I strongly suggest you give top filling a try. You need not fear cartridges leaking if you use the silicone plugs known as "Zero Clearance Plugs" from Precision Colors or the "Low Profile Plugs" from Octoinkjet UK. These plugs should be secured with aluminium tape.

Here is a thread with good instructions for top filling: http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6264&p=1 . Note the difference in the methods used by The Hat in post #1 and the method used by mikling in post #4. Also note The Hat's comments in post #12. The use of either the method from post #1 or from post #4 is necessary to avoid overfilling the sponge, possibly causing a vent blockage that will lead to ink starvation.

Follow the advice by The Hat to change or refill your cartridges when you get the low ink warning. Thermal print heads as used by Canon are fragile, and need a steady supply of ink to cool the nozzle heaters. Attempting to run the cartridges completely dry before refilling could easily do permanent damage to your print head by burning out some nozzle heaters.

So my advice is to start all over with your refilling with one or more sets of ready to refill cartridges from Precision Colors, with the plugs I recommended, and use the topfill method. I guess you are already using ink from Image Specialists and a resetter? If not, you can also get these items from Precision Colors. Without a resetter there is a high risk of running the cartridges dry and damage the print head.

See this tip for a method of handling the recommended plugs: http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=56693#p56693

 

[thanhhuy123]

I use hot glue gun to seal my hole. Just drill the hole small, just enough for the needle to easily come through. Hot glue works well for small (and dry!!) hole, big hole like the OEM one with the ball doesn't like hot glue!

 

[jtoolman]

If you simply remove the ball, you can re-plug the hole perfectly well.
No leaks no muss no fuss! Why use invasive ( Drilling ) methods when the solution so simple? When you drill you have a rough walled hole that has a thin cross section. Difficult to seal. The ball seats in a factory molded opening, when you plug that you are working against a very smooth walled surface. Plugs will seal perfectly well.
I been doing this for ages. Not a single problem. But you guys go ahead and drill, glue and continue taping. If it works for you then it's ok. As long as it is 100% consistent for you.

Joe