On Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11:43:47 AM UTC-4, wrote:
"Unless you have a heavy duty printer, it is often better just to get a
new one."

1. I got time on my hands.

Idle hands are the Devil's workshop.


2. I am sick of this "You can buy" ****, all of which sends our borrowed money overseas. And if you think YOU don't use credit, the dollars are on credit. Anytime I can keep money from foreigners I think that is good.

At one level, true. At another, the more of our dollars that are in foreign hands, the more interest those foreigners have in our continued survival. If our dollars become useless, theirs are no more than fire-starters.


I do have a LASER printer, but this one avoids a trip to the basement. It's also the only FAX machine in the house and while it would send it wouldn't print so... Also could not print the confirmation of a sent FAX.

Cleaning a printer-head is, typically, not a huge job unless that printer has been sitting for a very long time, or in extreme conditions. Keeping in mind that the alternative is landfill, using unusual means and methods is fair game. Back when we did have an HP inkjet device - one that clogged every couple-of-days, 99% alcohol was my go-to cleaner. Get an old ink cartridge, fill it with alcohol - off you go. Got tired of that and went to the Epsom. No regrets so far.


I am also going through stuff to work on, I got time. I haven't been able to work for awhile so I need to get my legs back so to speak. Next is a microwave bought in 1992. When they were $ 89 this one was $ 150 wholesale. A new one will not outlast it. It has a burned out light, a bad connection, I think to the gate of the triac, and I am going to trow a capacitor in it whether it is good or not. (seems like it used to have more power.

With all due respect, a little research is mandated on this one. "New" microwaves from legitimate manufacturers are lighter, more powerful, and far more refined that those from the Amana Radarange days. Our present three units are 12, 8 and 6 years old respectively. The oldest gets the heaviest use. But the newest one knows the difference between three different kinds of popcorn, knows how to actually 'bake' a potato, or even three of them, and will also defrost without parboiling.


New and improved means improved profits for the manufacturer, cheaper to produce and as a result harder to work on usually.

There is that. But it is entirely possible to purchase a good, serviceable, well-made and well designed product in about every category. Won't be the cheapest, however. I keep speakers made in Minnesota over 40 years ago. The company is still in business, and still sells parts for every speaker they have ever made. I can't even write that about my AR speakers.


"For what they pay for that conract, they could probalby buy everyone a new printer every year. "

Well, a local grocery store has 8 oz. cans of sauce or 20 cents or a 15.5 ox can of he same thing for 69 cents. A bag boy didn't set those prices. Don't expect brains from anyone.

Same thing (same manufacturer, same ingredients list), or generic same thing? Just curious.


And now, if this printer ever needs cleaning agian it will be a 15 minute job.

Sure,and as it should be.

BTW, as most of what we do requires color, and what business printing I do at home requires heavy color-coding, a color laser printer would be prohibitively expensive, not to mention supplies and service.

The issue on water reminds me of my college days. Penn and Princeton are huge Ivy League rivals, usually alternating at each other's location for Homecoming. Public restroom - Penn student walks in, uses the urinal and walks out. Princeton student says: "At Princeton, we are taught to wash our hands after using the urinal.". Penn Student: "At Penn, we are taught not to **** on our fingers."

About covers it.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA