Digital BW, The Print

Hello Bob,

I got some service manuals for the 1160s and 740s. The
head removal procedures for both printers are almost
identical. Using the same knowledge I was also able to
figure out how to remove heads from my C80s as well. So it
appears that the techniques are very similar between at
least desktop printers.	Still if you read on you will find
that there may not be a need to remove the head for
cleaning at all.

As to cleaning solutions Windes is the most recommended
liquid to use, however I believe the inkjet maintenance
guru (Art Entlich) has begun to recommend certain dilution
of household ammonia to handle tough cleaning jobs.

What I usually do is use an old cartridge, flush it out
pretty well and prepare a Windex solution (or something
stronger that can dissolve latex paint  :)  ) and mix in a
little amount of black ink to make your cleaning
cartridge.

I think preventative maintenance is a good thing. While I
don't exactly know what is in an MIS inkset or the
original Epson Ultrachrome ink, I believe there is
something in the so-called encapsulation of the pigment
that is the culprit behind most inkjet clogs. Also the
clotting that occurs when one switch between inksets of
different pH.

The ammonia in Windex can dissolve most of these clogs if
... and only if you can successfully get it into the
printhead. If you can get a good nozzle check pattern
using your cleaning cartridge, this is all you need to do
for routine maintenance. For the clog from hell do the
step below.

One group member suggests using a syringe to first pump
the liquid into the head, then suck it back out. Now I
think this is a great idea as it doesn't require head
removal. Do this a couples times then end with the last
stroke that leaves the liquid inside the head.

In my experience if the head was badly clogged, you'd want
to follow after an overnight soak with the same procedure
using warm distilled water. The ammonia may have softened
the clog but the piezo electric action may not be strong
enough to dislodge whatever that was sitting inside.

I was able to restore one of my 1160's after accidentally
getting some liquid latex caulk into the head. Don't ask
me how I did it but it happened during an experiment. This
was the time I needed to use a mild paint stripping
solution and it worked. Actually it worked so well that it
is now my most reliable printer despite the fact that it
is the oldest and most screwed up one I got on Ebay. Like
Jim who started this thread I was about to save this
printer for parts.

Anyway, after playing with these printers for so long I
got really good at getting them back to peak performance
again. And I can ramble on and on about things that I have
learned which sometimes are very difficult to communicate
to others who may never have gone through the same
experience to understand.

Get to know your equipments and they will serve you well,
--nick

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob
Marsolais" <bob@m...wrote:

> Nick,
> 
> Where did you learn how to change out the jet heads?  Is
> there a reference you could direct me to?  I just
> purchased a 1280 for use with both MIS UT2 and color
> pigmented inks, and am building up my reference library of
> "Recovery Data" for the day of that inevitable clog!
> 
> While I'd like to have a 1280 for B&W and a 2200 (or 1800)
> for color, this amatuer doesn't do enough printing to keep
> two printers happy. My approach is to use three sets of
> cartridges.  The sets will be filled with UT2, A color
> pigment inkset that I have not yet selected, and cleaning
> solution.  The cleaning cartridges will be used between
> every ink change to prevent mixing and also for proactive
> preventative measures.
> 
> From your experience, what would you recommend for
> cleaning solution.  I've seen several mentions of Windex,
> but there is also "cleaning solution" you can buy.  What
> is you experience?
> 
> Thanks for sharing your experience.
> 
> Bob M
>