Ink - BCI 6 and 3eBK - best source for bulk inks - no clog

[optimizer]

Hi
I've seen messages on sources for bulk inks (not carts). Time has moved on and we're approaching 2010.
There should now be more experience with bulk ink sources.

Which source seems to be one of the best for no clog 3eBK pigment ink.
Which source seems to be one of the best sources for the BCI 6 colors (I think they are all dye based).

If you happen to know who the "manufacturer" of these inks is too, please also list them.

Thanks

 

[tyamada]

I've used Hobbiecolors for years and had no problems. I used to have problems with the OEM 3eBK pigmented ink cartridge, the ink wouldn't flow properly after a couple of fillings. The Hobby Color cartridge has been refilled about 5 times without ink starvation.
Here is a link to ink page: http://shop.ebay.com/kbay2002/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25

 

[ghwellsjr]

Different inks are available in different countries. Where are you located?

 

[optimizer]

Yes ghwellsjr, it's an international site isn't it, thanks. I'm in the US. I'm looking forward to hear what you and some of the other main helpers suggest.

Thanks

 

[ghwellsjr]

I recommend Inktec dye ink. I have also used their pigment black ink but have experienced clogs in the purge units on three MP780 printers (all recently) that I service. I had already decided to switch because that ink smears when you use a highlighter on it. I'm still looking for a good replacement so maybe I'll learn something on this thread.

If you are interested in going with Inktec inks, the only way I know to get it in the USA is at this website:

http://www.inkjetcartridge.com/bki8050cybot.html

They only sell it in the small syringes that are good for about two refills so it is probably twice as expensive as other inks available in larger containers. By the way, don't buy their prefilled cartridges, they are not Inktec.

I like the needles available (with syringes) at the bottom of this website:

http://inkjet.cfriends.com/accessories.htm

They come with rubber plugs you can fit on the end of the needles. You can put these needles on the ink-filled syringes described above and you don't have to pour or transfer any ink. These needles work great with the German method of refilling. It is so quick and easy, you don't even need an extra set of cartridges. As soon as one gets low, just pop it out of the printer, stick the needle through the refill hole (that you have previously made), inject some ink, cover the hole with a small piece of tape, put it back in the printer and away you go. If you want, you could top off all the other dye ink cartridges at the same time to minimize wasted ink due to the automatic cleaning cycle that will happen when you refill a cartridge that is low on ink. If you have a separate needle and cap for each color syringe, it will be especially quick and easy.

EDIT: Computer Friends no longer supplies the rubber plugs with the needles and syringes so I now recommend buying these items from Howard Electronics.

See this link for details on refilling using the German method:

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/the-german-durchstich-refill-method.php

Just make sure you put refill hole as close to the bottom of the cartridge as possible, you want the needle to slide between the bottom of the sponge and the bottom of the cartridge. I also recommend that you cover the refill hole with a small piece of tape after you're done to prevent air from leaking into the cartridge and potentially causing problems.

 

[optimizer]

I think I'm going to go with what I used last time, after all. Image Specialists, Repeat-o-type (I think that might be Inktec?) based place.
The inks seemed good and produced good color.
I think I got the clog problems because of 1/ not enough printing (leaving it sit), and 2/ I installed Microcenter's generic cartridges one time, and the machine almost instantly began failing. That one mistake might have been the death of the i960's print head.
Anyway, I think the last inks were good. I hope my thinking is correct.

I've noticed some posts mentioning putting windex on the purge pad to clear a clog.
Would that be a good regular routine to do anyway, to keep the head unclogged.
What would be the recommended number of days between doing that windex preventative measure?

Thanks

 

[ghwellsjr]

Yes, I highly recommend putting Windex on both purge pads as preventative maintenance for the purge unit, not the print head. The nice thing is it doesn't get counted by the printer as contributing to the "waste ink full" warning so you can do it as often as you like. It only takes a minute to do this. At a minimum, you should do it whenever you change any cartridge but I like to do at least once a week.

The process I use is:
1) Open the printer cover.
2) Using a flashlight, squirt some Windex on the purge pads using a syringe, eye dropper or straw. Don't worry if a little Windex overflows the purge pad trays.
3) Wait a few seconds and make sure the Windex remains on the pads.
4) Hold down the button that senses when the cover is closed or simply close the cover.
5) Wait until all the activity stops (about 5 seconds).
6) Release the button or open the cover.
7) Observe that the Windex has been sucked away from both purge pads.
8) Close the cover and you're done.

NOTE: if you don't have Windex or some other window cleaner liquid, just use plain water.
If you see that the Windex either drains away in step 3 before you close the cover or it doesn't get sucked away in step 7, then you may have a problem with the purge unit which should be fixed before it gets worse. The best first step in fixing the purge unit is to remove the offending purge pad and clean it. Note its orientation when you remove it so that you can replace it correctly.

And remember, this is preventative maintenance for the purge unit, not the print head. The best preventative maintenance for the print head is to do a nozzle check once a week or whenever you do the above procedure.

 

[leo8088]

I have used Hobbicolors for many years. Their latest UW8 ink is probably the one you can trust the most. It never clogged my print head. The ink works so reliably that I almost never bother to run nozzle check. I only run a nozzle check after refilling a cartridge. I have used my ip4300 for at least two years and I used it just about everyday except weekends. If you are in the states you can find Hobbicolors easily on eBay.

It seems that you had some problems with whatever ink you used, judging from the list of printers with problems you have. When you buy a new printer you should avoid things you did in the past, including the ink you used before.

 

[optimizer]

It's really only the i960 that is "MY" problem, out of my printers, and as I said, I think it clogged early on through lack of use and certainly the Microcenter cheepo generic carts they sold a few years ago that "instantly" eliminated some of the colors - I took them all back for a refund.
The Image Specialists (or Repeat-o-type) ink seems to halt the clog problems to what was already created before they came onto the scene.
If I expereince problems in the future, sure, I'll be trying something else (and another printer/head no doubt), very possibly your Hobbiecolors as it seems to be getting a good response here.

I welcome more input regarding people's experience with inks that don't seem to clog!!!! especially people with a lot of experience testing inks.

 

[optimizer]

Thanks for your response ghwellsjr. Since I found this i860 and hearing about the pigment ink cart problems I've been running the nozzle check every day. Maybe I can reduce that based on what you say?

I have another question related to clogging.

What do you recommend doing to mothball a printer, if you're not going to use it for a while. I'm initially thinking about the printhead, but I suppose there may be other components like purge tubes that may also need to be flushed? I would just seal up the carts.

Thanks big_smile