Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Kevin" 
<imaginaryapple@i...> wrote:
> Like Andre, im having problems with a clogged 1160 head (black), 
after
> reading a number of suggestions, Ive decided to unclog it... Now, 
how do I
> expose the printhead?? the printhead will only move to the left if 
the ink
> needs to be replaced, and I dont know how to fool the printer into 
doing
> that...

It's been awhile since I've had my 1160's but it always seemed a 
simple matter to just press the "color drop" button (or was it the 
paper feed?) and it just went left and I'd unplug it.

On my 1280 which locks the head in a similar way I think(?), I first 
turn printer off then press the white plastic post on the front left 
corner of the head down and pull the head over to the left at the same 
time. When I get the head all the way over I unplug it as well because 
the MIS chips can still blow out (you thankfully don't have to worry 
about this horror).

Many moons ago, someone posted a really neat way to disengage the 1160 
head which I think involves rotating the big white plastic gear on the 
left side of printer- but since I have never done this myself, you 
should get someone else to point you to this post or repeat it as I 
can't advise you here.

 I want to move it to the left, then clean the printhead with 
a paper
> towel soaked with ammonia...

Don't use it straight<g>

I have found personally that this method works great to cure the 
symptoms of either excess ink blotting on the paper every so often 
with nozzle checks that give you all the lines, but some lines are 
displaced slightly up or down in the "musical stanza". The ink nozzle 
is being deflected you see by dirt/hairs under the head. And the 
dirt/hairs deposit blobs of ink down on your print. So I only do the 
towel trick when I see these two conditions. It may help unclog a 
nozzle, but for me I have not found it to be a major effect. Others 
feel differently.

> 
> Another method somebody suggested is to actually feed the paper 
towel, but
> then how do I make the printhead to stop moving so I can give it a 
good
> clean?

I UNPLUG the printer. It won't move then<g>. And you can move head 
freely by hand also.

btw, I use a green  50 cent "photo-wipe" from a camera store as it is 
resistant to tearing, somewhat lintless, and has the edge flattened 
with some sort of (decorative?) pattern, which all help to wedge the 
durned thing below the printhead. I lay the wipe in the bed and slowly 
move the head over it before I have wetted the towel. If I put fluid 
on the wipe first, I can't get it under the head as well due to 
tearing.

And you will have to clean up the print bed a bit afterward as some 
ink will spread to the grey rollers, etc. For this you can use another 
photo-wipe. I don't recommend q-tips though (the hairs of which will 
just wind up under your printhead again), I use foam swabs from radio 
shack, 10 for $3 (part # 44-1094) which are somewhat reuasble if you 
dab off the ink on a paper towel.
Jim H.