Cut Canon printer to install CISS?? (to avoid leaving lid open?)

troy14

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Hello everyone, I have done tons of research on the topic I am about to discuss but cannot seem to find a solid answer.

First off, I know Canon CIS is not the optimal choice. A CIS is a must, I am a university student with 3 others and we print LOTS of powerpoints. A laser printer would be ideal but we like the idea of printing digital photos everyone once in a while as well.. so the printer is mainly business with a little pleasure.


We are looking at two printers, the Canon MX892 (which is not out yet but nearly equivalent to the MX882) and the Epson Artisan 837. My first choice is the Canon, we love the layout, aesthetics, Canon printers we've used in the past, everything about it.

I have watched so many youtube videos on canon CIS, looked up so many topics.. but cannot seem to get a clear answer or nobody has mentioned this...


EVERYONE leaves the lid about an inch open.. this is unacceptable for us! Is it not possible to cut the side of the printer slightly to allow the tube to escape freely? It seems like such a simple idea but no one does it.. If you install the CIS like everyone does, and then just cut the plastic and run the lines through, it should be able to close 100% with no interference?


Our other choice is the Epson Artisan 837 but that is only if we cannot get the Canon printer. We REALLY don't want the Epson.

Thanks for your reply in advance
 

The Hat

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troy14
I have done tons of research on the topic I am about to discuss but cannot seem to find a solid answer.
I have used a CISS on quite a few of my Canon printers, they did work very well but they take a lot of looking after.

Now if you and your mates are singing from the same hymen sheet then everything will be fine,
and now for the second but, if one of you makes any silly mistakes with the CISS then
youll all have a big mess in your hands and the printer will be out of action till its fixed.

CISS does work so does its owners, would you not give the refilling route a try, it costs about the same as a CISS
but is much more controllable when there are multi expert printer users involved.

Two sets of cartridges a resetter, good quality inks and with a small learning curve
for you and your mates without the need for a lecturer, what could be easier.

Just think of the fun youll have refilling and then explaining how you all got the same coloured hands,
you could make your own video of it for even more laughs.

Dont rush into your decision to quickly and look at both options first or for a cheaper way
just buy prefilled aftermarket cartridges if you think the refilling is not you guys.

Either way happy printing.. :)
 

troy14

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Thanks for the reply TheHat. I mean this with no disrespect, but this is kind of what I was talking about! I know the option of refilling, and I know that running a CISS with a Canon is not the best solution as well.

We are willing to take the risk of the CIS, we understand this. I was just trying to get some information on running the ink lines out the side of the printer without having to keep the top half open.

So, has anyone cut, or heard of anyone trying to cut their printer so it can shut properly? Or is there something else in the way preventing this from happening?

I suppose I could go pick up the printer and try it myself, but I wanted to see if anyone had any information before I waste time buying/returning a printer and buying a CIS system I can't use.
 

The Hat

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troy14 said:
Thanks for the reply TheHat. I mean this with no disrespect, but this is kind of what I was talking about! I know the option of refilling, and I know that running a CISS with a Canon is not the best solution as well.

We are willing to take the risk of the CIS, we understand this. I was just trying to get some information on running the ink lines out the side of the printer without having to keep the top half open.

So, has anyone cut, or heard of anyone trying to cut their printer so it can shut properly? Or is there something else in the way preventing this from happening?

I suppose I could go pick up the printer and try it myself, but I wanted to see if anyone had any information before I waste time buying/returning a printer and buying a CIS system I can't use.
Well congratulations on your choice and I hope it continues to works very well for you
for a long long time and if Youve installed properly then it should.

On the subject of cutting a hole in the printer yes that works as well
just as long as you cut it in the right place.

The lid is a different matter when its closed completely the tubing tends to hit the lid
when moving back and forth and can cause a wobble in the tracking of the print head.

You wont notice it with most normal prints but on photos it shows up like part of the pictures are out of focus.

Please take into consideration that the newer Canon printers after the 4300 have being altered in such a way
as to make CISS fitting very difficult and hard to operate properly, but they still work despite this.
Happy Printing.. :)
 

qwertydude

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If you haven't bought the printer yet, what's your hesitation with the Epson? Epson's piezo heads are the only choice if you want a trouble free CISS. I currently have a Workforce 30 converted to CISS dye inks. Even without a profile the colors were darn near spot on, and the CISS actually costs less than a full OEM inkset. Plus a dye converted Workforce prints excellent quality photos, especially once you can get a profile, I use Profile Prism, and you do have to use the matte photo paper setting so that black ink is used in photos, but other than that, all my prints come out as good looking as any photo lab.

If you can get the Workforce 40, color prints print out even faster with it. But the reason to get Epson is, invariably you'll get a clog or air bubble in the printhead. It comes with CISS territory. Thermal printheads when run dry run the risk of burning out individual nozzles. Once that happens photo quality will suffer and you have to buy a new printhead to get perfect photos. I've gotten clogs and air bubbles in my Epson on occasion and after a couple cleanings or at most a repriming of the cartridges, every nozzle always comes back online.
 

troy14

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I like the Canon printer a whole lot more than an Epson. I like how the Canon's paper catcher automatically flips down and catches the pages (might not seem like a big deal but when the printer is in another room it is!) and the Epson's paper catcher is just awful and flimsy. Feels like it is going to break every time you touch it.

We need an all-in-one so it would be the Canon MX892, Artisan 837, or Workforce 645/845 (although the 845 is too big, I don't like the 645 button layout).
 

GLO

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hi Troy14,

I have a Canon MP780 and CISS for many years now.

I used a dremel to cut a line into the side of the MP780 so that the line does not crimp anywhere.

Its been working great!

Only recently I have had aproblem with the CISS (not related to the cutting of the case though).

Im going to have to reseal the silicon tubing that plugs into the cartidge as they have become loose!

If im unsuccessful in creating a good seal, I am considering an EPSON 837 with CISS as many indicate a longer lasting printer head.

If you want some photos, just let me know!
 

troy14

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If you don't midn taking pictures that would be awesome.. I would be interested as I really, really love this MX892 printer. thanks!
 

OutOFtheinkwell

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I've run the tubing before and also now, the refillable dampers with the flip top. If it is a concern for you about cutting and chopping the printer go with the refillable dampers. You will refill more often but it is fast and simple and works well as long as you all refill before running dry. My Epson has run dry at times when I wasn't watching but the Piezo ( non thermal) head forgave me and kept right on working. I buy my inks in 240 mil bottles. Times the 6 colors I run the cost is $63.00 plus shipping.
the same amount of ink in OEM cartridges would cost $2160.00. ( 120 cartridges times an average of $18.00 per cartridge). So I save over $2000.00 for each set of 240 mil bottles. two grand would pay for a lot of beer, or more printers, or a wonderful donation to the "Outoftheinkwell foundation", Happy printing!
 

jtoolman

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OutOFtheinkwell, those favorite fliptop dampers of yours are not available for the canon. Only Epsons.
 

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