[clug] Printer supplies - advice sought

[Rodney Peters]

On Friday 08 Jan 2010 10:17:15 linux-request at lists.samba.org wrote:
> Message: 3
> Date: Fri, 08 Jan 2010 07:45:17 +1100
> From: David Tulloh <david at tulloh.id.au>
> To: Felix Karpfen <felix at spodzone.org.uk>
> Cc: linux at lists.samba.org
> Subject: Re: [clug] Printer supplies - advice sought (linux Digest,
>         Vol 85, Issue 19, message 7)
> Message-ID: <4B4647DD.60403 at tulloh.id.au>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> 
> Felix Karpfen wrote:
> > My instinct is that the problem relates to the geometry of the paper 
> > feed.  The paper feed on my Canon printer was from the top (and assisted 
> > by gravity).  On the HP printers, the papers are picked up from a 
> > horizontal wad of papers that lies at the front of the printer. So the 
> > paper feed gets no help when it has to overcome the surface friction 
> > between consecutive sheets.
> >   
> 
> The horizontal feed in the standard, particularly for larger commercial 
> models so I doubt it's a significant issue.  I currently have a (laser) 
> Samsung CLP-315 with a horizontal tray and feed it all sorts of crap, 
> mainly Office Works home brand paper but also paper I've had floating 
> around the house, (laser) transparencies etc.  I've been using lasers 
> like this for years at low volumes without paper feed issues.
> 
Two aspects here.  Firstly horizontal feed.  If the rubber pick-up rollers 
age, then they lose the ability to grab the paper.  I have a first hand report 
that lightly coating the pickup roller with a thin rubber solution, then 
allowing it to dry thoroughly, works.  It is worth a try, for a low cost 
printer.

Smoother (yet uncoated) paper may help or hinder, but does the print quality 
(inkjet) and drum life (laser) a lot of good.  In ream quantities it is not 
outrageously more expensive than supermarket grade.  A couple of brands I have 
tried include:

Reflex Platinium
Noper   
4CC

The last 2 from from Officeworks.

Secondly, I have the earlier Samsung CLP-300 and take the opposite approach, 
feeding it brand name or even smooth paper.  It has a "permanent" drum, life 
5000 pages (/4 for colour) which costs >$200.  In that context, the premium 
for smoother paper is easily outweighed, not to mention the hassle of 
replacing the "print engine" which contains the drum.

> 
> David
> 

 
Rod