anonymous_please

While I do not have direct experience with that model, I have spent a lot of time, (more than I want to really ;-) trying to unclog Epson printheads.

First I would suggest downloading purge.zip from http://inksupply.com/purging.cfm

Unzip the file and find the tiff's that are specifically for only the color(s) that have clogged nozzle check pattern(s).

Open the tiff(s) in Photoshop or a similar program and crop down the size (they start out as usually a full page 8.5x11) to a small rectangle like 3x5 or 4x6.

Then print just that rectangle.

It will fire ink only through the color that appears clogged. If it is air bubbles it will definitely clear it. If it is a bona fide clot it may take a few tries to melt it.

If that does not do it and if you really want to keep the printer, get an empty refillable for the clogged color(s) and the refill syringe and a bottle of cleaning solution from inksupply.com or another company.

Fill the empty cartridge(s) with cleaning solution. A small amount should work if it is not a horrendous clot. Put the cleaning cartridge in place and print the cropped or full purge image. It is like using pressurized clot buster. If that does not work, consider buying another brand of printer. That is what I am currently considering, because it is just too much work for my low print frequency.

Hope this helps. Please report success or failure to help the next victim :-)

Sorry, I was called away unexpectedly. Didn't mean to leave things hanging.

This is very interesting what you experienced with the two different brands ink. Which models of printers were they ? How long ago did you do your comparison ? Were they both dye based or were either a pigment type ?

I got some interesting info with regard to repairs. I was told that HP does not stock parts for its printers for more than 2 to 3 years. I was told they just give you some discount off a new or refurbished printer. Canon I was told stocks parts for as long as 5 to 10 years for its printers. That is a big difference and seems to incline the buyer to limit HP purchases to only the lesser expensive printers to avoid a potential financial hit if you cannot get parts for an expensive unit.

Thank you for your replies, TM and Mike.

TM, when you write "6-8 at a stretch", do you mean days, weeks, or months?

No problem on the salutation. It was funny. Here's another. "My father was Mr. Please and my mother was Mrs. Please. You can call me AP." <rim shot :-) >

Mike, what was it about the Canon that you liked better than the HP ?

Thanks for the info.

AP

Thank you for your reply, Roger. I wish that I did have more free time to print more often, and not just for the sake of my printheads :-) .

I had considered buying empty cartridges and filling them with the solvent / cleaning solution. I thought if I could get my Epson 870 unclogged, I would do my printing and then run the solvent again before I put it away. However, the cost of buying the cartridges and cleaning solution are significant compared to the cost of a new printer. Also my 870 sometimes won't power up and the driver is flaky with Windows 2000. It just seems a bit too dicey now.

Two of of my other Epsons are older and did not produce as nice a print as the 870 even when they were new. The other two are much newer than the 870. One never printed as nicely as the 870. The other is a pigment printer type and in addition to being clogged, it also periodically has a "nervous breakdown". It was replaced twice by Epson with refurbs. I have given up on the last refurb.

I have tried soaking the park pad and gently dropping liquid onto the spikes. I have tried Windex, 91% Alcohol, and Distilled Water. All separately. Just cannot get some of the printer test pattern segments to reappear. Prints come out with noticeable banding. Argh !

I'll look at the 8450. Are you saying that it's heads are replaceable or is it one of the type where the head is in the cartridge ?

Thanks again.

Like many other low utilization amateur photographers, I have several

permanently clogged Epson inkjet printers. While I have enjoyed the good

quality prints that I have made with them, I cannot bear the thought of buying

and then junking yet another irretrievably clogged Epson.

I print pictures maybe 3 or 4 times a year, < pause for laughter :-) > and so I

think that it would be best if I restricted my purchase to printers that have

the printheads built into the ink cartridge itself.

Q1. Is Hewlett Packard ( HP ) the only manufacturer that uses this configuration ?

Q2. Since not all models have the printhead built into the cartridge, how do I

tell which ones to consider ?

I do not have budget for more than $300. I do not need to print larger than 8.5

X 11 though I would not object to larger if it was an available feature. I do

not need nor do I want an "All-in-one". Just a good photo quality inkjet

printer that will not clog to death. My subject matter is generally portraits,

pets, and wildlife. I use Windows 2000.

Q3. Could the forum participants please share their thoughts and recommendations

on Brands and Models of printers currently available for sale that would be

suitable for my purposes ?

I thank you in advance for any information and insight you wish to share.

[ If anyone is wondering about my name, my family has been the victims of

Identity Theft and also Stalking. None of us will post our names on the

Internet. While I could simply have made something up, I thought it courteous

to the other users of the forum, who seem to be very sincere, to simply be

upfront about wishing anonymity. I am here to learn from you. I will offer no

critique. You need not fear "hit and run." If this offends anyone, I offer my

apologies. ]