Digital BW, The Print

I was recently given an old Epson 1270 printer on freecycle and was thinking of using it for a dedicated b&w printer. It's pretty dirty but a good cleaning got all the jets working. 

First, is it possible to set this up as a b&w printer, preferably with pigment inks? 
If so, is it desirable or should I forget it and look for a newer printer to work with?

"Robert Batey" <rbatey@...> wrote:
>
> I was recently given an old Epson 1270 printer on freecycle and was thinking of using it for a dedicated b&w printer. It's pretty dirty but a good cleaning got all the jets working. 
> 
> First, is it possible to set this up as a b&w printer, preferably with pigment inks? 

Yes, the MIS UT(1)and UT2 were variable tone inksets designed for the 1280 that work on the 1270.  See http://www.inksupply.com/inkjet_cartridges.cfm?search_getmodel=37


> If so, is it desirable or should I forget it and look for a newer printer to work with?

Those old printers are capable of very good results -- until they clog.  The 1280 was the most clog prone printer I ever used.  That said, some had good luck with them for years.  Be sure to rinse all the old dye off the parking pad before using with pigments.  Eboni did not mix well with the old dye.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Many thanks Paul for the helpful information!
I had a look at the link you provided. Those inksets seem like a great way to test out this printer without spending a lot of money. 

I'm mostly interested in making matt prints in neutral tones. Would you advise the UT2 inks over the UT1?
Before using, do I need to use a set of cleaning cartridges?
What is the parking pad and where can I get more info on cleaning it.


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul" <roark.paul@...> wrote:

>
> "Robert Batey" <rbatey@> wrote:
> >
> > I was recently given an old Epson 1270 printer on freecycle and was thinking of using it for a dedicated b&w printer. It's pretty dirty but a good cleaning got all the jets working. 
> > 
> > First, is it possible to set this up as a b&w printer, preferably with pigment inks? 
> 
> Yes, the MIS UT(1)and UT2 were variable tone inksets designed for the 1280 that work on the 1270.  See http://www.inksupply.com/inkjet_cartridges.cfm?search_getmodel=37
> 
> 
> > If so, is it desirable or should I forget it and look for a newer printer to work with?
> 
> Those old printers are capable of very good results -- until they clog.  The 1280 was the most clog prone printer I ever used.  That said, some had good luck with them for years.  Be sure to rinse all the old dye off the parking pad before using with pigments.  Eboni did not mix well with the old dye.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>

"Robert Batey" <rbatey@...> wrote:

> ...
> I'm mostly interested in making matt prints in neutral tones. Would you advise the UT2 inks over the UT1?


I've never used UT1 in a hextone printer.  So, I can't evaluate it.  It's been a long time since I used either inkset, but I suspect there are more profiles for UT2.  I made them on a 1280, but if you use the Photoshop curves in an ICC made with Create ICC-RGB, you might be able to profile the newer papers reasonably well.  See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Embedding_Photoshop_Curves_in_ICCs.pdf with respect to using the Photoshop curves with Create ICC-RGB.


> Before using, do I need to use a set of cleaning cartridges?

Yes.  Eboni was not compatible with the old dyes.


> What is the parking pad and where can I get more info on cleaning it.

Move the carriage to the left either by, with the printer off, moving the large gear at the left inside the printer toward you to unlock the carriage, or pressing the ink loading button and pulling the plug.  The pad is fairly obvious then.  You'll find syringes very useful.  Even just distilled water will rinse the pad rather well.  The idea is to rinse the dye off before it and Eboni combine to make little balls of pigment that then stick to the head when it parks.

Good luck with the system.  If you don't get good results quickly, beware of spending more on ink than a new 1400 costs.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com