QTR-Quadtone RIP

Perhaps, I have unrealistic expectations of my cartridges. When I set my R2000 up for use with Piezography inks, I bought IJM carts. These have proven to be unreliable with leaks and clogs. I recently abandoned the IJM carts and bought a set from an Australian distributor. These arrived with flat batteries and one dud chip. After this inauspicious start, I have them loaded and in my R2000. Today, I printed an A4 and lo and behold, I have three ink blobs just like the IJM carts used to produce. I'm just about ready to abandon the world of refillable cartridges and just use QTR with K3 Epson carts.

I'm hoping that someone may have found reliable carts, and can pass on the name of the supplier.

Jeff,
So far I haven't had any trouble with IJM carts in my R2000. Are you able to take and post pictures of the exit ports of these carts?  

Larry

On Feb 8, 2017, 20:30, at 20:30, "jeff.grant@... [QuadtoneRIP]" <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>Perhaps, I have unrealistic expectations of my cartridges. When I set
>my R2000 up for use with Piezography inks, I bought IJM carts. These
>have proven to be unreliable with leaks and clogs. I recently abandoned
>the IJM carts and bought a set from an Australian distributor. These
>arrived with flat batteries and one dud chip. After this inauspicious
>start, I have them loaded and in my R2000. Today, I printed an A4 and
>lo and behold, I have three ink blobs just like the IJM carts used to
>produce. I'm just about ready to abandon the world of refillable
>cartridges and just use QTR with K3 Epson carts. 
> 
>
>I'm hoping that someone may have found reliable carts, and can pass on
>the name of the supplier.
>

Hmmmm.   I've watched this thread with growing interest.

I have used a mix of OEM and refillable cartridges for Epson printers on and off for years:  C88, R1800, 3880, 4880.

Inks come from MIS (InkSupply.com).

Clogs are always a problem if I am not doing much printing, but I have never associated this with the cartridge used. Clogs have always been resolved by some level of cleaning.

I have used the inner-bag type of cartridge from MIS without cartridge-related problems, although I am now using only the translucent, open "chamber" type of cartridge.  It is possible that I had leaks with *one* of the cartridges I bought, but it has not been a common occurrence.  Most of the refillables came from various eBay sources. 

The only thing I do that might be slightly unusual (and perhaps unnecessary), is put a drop of clear ink base (form MIS)  in the cartridge-connecting nipple (making sure there is no air bubble) just before re-installing it in the printer.

Occasionally I clean the "parking pad" with paper towels and some kind of cleaning solution, and then clean the head by running it back and forth over a folded paper towel soaked with cleaning solution.  This certainly does not aim for perfection!  It just knocks down the slop and excess that can build up.

When/if clogging becomes too frequent or (very rarely) does not respond to software-driven cleaning cycles, I use a set of cartridges filled with cleaning solution, running cleaning and test-print cycles until almost all of the pigment has gone.  I then let it sit overnight, followed one final cleaning cycle in the morning. I have only done this with the 4880, but I assume it would work equally well with other printers if the need arose.   

Myron

PS I am currently using the type of 3880 cartridge sold by "EasyBuyCanada" on eBay:  http://www.ebay.ca/itm/131145360145

I'm pretty sure my 4880 cartridges came from the same source. I use EasyBuyCanada largely because I am in Canada and it makes shipping easier. By looking at the pictures you can probably find the same cartridges from other retailers.

Sorry Jeff, I'm not meaning to pester!  I'm interested in the results because I use the same model that I got specifically for piezography.  I've left another reply on the IJM forum because I'm also asking a question for Jon in the same reply.  Basically, I'm wondering if the IJM R2880 cart is designed physically better, and you could just swap an R2000 chip onto an R2880 cart.  I'm guessing not, but I'm asking anyway.

Larry
--------------------------------------------
On Thu, 2/9/17, jeff.grant@... [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 Subject: Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Looking for reliable carts
 To: QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com
 Received: Thursday, February 9, 2017, 12:07 AM
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
     
       
       
       Larry,
 I’ve been
 there and done that. The IJM carts have had your cleanup
 done on them. I bought the other carts a while back but
 hadn’t used them until Jon suggested that it would be a
 worthwhile experiment. They are different internally to the
 IJM ones but aren’t behaving much better. I find it
 difficult to believe that reliable carts can’t be
 had.
 
     
      
 
     
     
 
 
 
 #yiv6372552645 #yiv6372552645 --

Just so you know, I wouldn't recommend InkOwl's R2000 carts for piezography.  I couldn't get complete nozzle checks with piezoflush, nor with piezography ink.

Larry
--------------------------------------------
On Thu, 2/9/17, jeff.grant@... [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 Subject: [QuadtoneRIP] Re: Looking for reliable carts
 To: QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com
 Received: Thursday, February 9, 2017, 5:19 PM
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
     
       
       
       Thanks Don. I've ordered a set from them. They
 must be a non-battery set judging by the price. I would be
 delighted if they worked.
 
     
      
 
     
     
 
 
 
 #yiv4671435379 #yiv4671435379 --

Jeff,

Have you tried OEM colour carts in your R2000 recently?  

Larry
--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 2/8/17, jeff.grant@pobox.com [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 Subject: [QuadtoneRIP] Looking for reliable carts
 To: QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com
 Received: Wednesday, February 8, 2017, 8:30 PM
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
     
       
       
       Perhaps, I have unrealistic
 expectations of my cartridges. When I set my R2000 up for
 use with Piezography inks, I bought IJM carts. These have
 proven to be unreliable with leaks and clogs. I recently
 abandoned the IJM carts and bought a set from an Australian
 distributor. These arrived with flat batteries and one dud
 chip. After this inauspicious start, I have them loaded and
 in my R2000. Today, I printed an A4 and lo and behold, I
 have three ink blobs just like the IJM carts used to
 produce. I'm just about ready to abandon the world of
 refillable cartridges and just use QTR with K3 Epson
 carts. 
 I'm hoping that someone
 may have found reliable carts, and can pass on the name of
 the supplier.
 
 
     
      
 
     
     
 
 
 
 #yiv3469707084 #yiv3469707084 --