Refilling printer cartridges, pro/conn - experieace

[DHatAVI]

I have been considering getting a kit to refill my Epsons ink cartridges, but before I spend the 50 to 70 dollars for a kit, I thought I would poll the participants of this board for their opinion. I understand the warranty problem, but mine has expired so that is not an issue.

David

[drdeath]

ive never used them myself, but i know people who have and they hated them. said that it was a bigger mess than it was worth to save a few bucks compared to buying new cartridges.....

[Roy]

I use Print Rite refill packages for some Canon cartridges. Very economical ~ no where near the price range you mention. It can be messy until you get the hang of it, but it's not difficult. The print quality is indistinguishable from the Canon ink. You might want to get some surgical rubber gloves for the first few times. /forum/smile.gif

[Susan]

I wasn't happy with the results when I tried it on my Epson - it clogged the print heads.

[Bill Kunert]

I've been refilling my Canon cartridges with excellent success. I use refill kits from MIS Supply (www.missupply.com). Prices are very reasonable, instrctions are good and free shipping on refill kits. Took about 3 days from order placement. A 4oz kit(1oz each color plus black is $19.95. It's enough to let you know whether or not you want to refill.
Bill

[ANTONIO E GUERRA]

I have to agree with Susan. Epson inkjet refill cartridges are very hard to find and when you use them take the change of clogging the print heads. It happened once I don't want to deal with them. I buy the regular cartridges at Sam's when they are on sale. I know that they work better on Hp and Canon printers.

[welsh wizard]

Hi
have used refill kits on Lexmark Color has refilled 9 times now black only refills 1 to 2 times before cr$$$*g out,
on our HP 660c and 880c I get about 3 refills per cartridge before they are finished through blockage.
As for use on epson I don't refill on company Epsons heads are not part of cartridge and if they block it stuff's the whole printer up almost cheaper to replace printer than just the heads,

personal choice, but for a few bucks is it worth it? it's different on printer who's head is part of cartridge.

[This message has been edited by welsh wizard (edited 09-08-99).]

[Rickee]

I have an old HP Deskjet. Here are my experiences with refilling:

1. It is indeed messy. Better do it where you're not afraid of staining something.
2. If you apply too much pressure when inserting the ball stop, it can damage the printheads on the cartridge and waste the ink you just filled.
3. It always leaked/blotted during the first few pages.
4. The print/ink quality is almost as good.

P.S. Since I do not use my printer often (I normally print at work), I do not bother with refilling the cartridges. Perhaps you are in the same boat?

[CMonster]

Sometimes the felt instide the cartridge begins to break down after a while and it clogs the print heads; also, after market ink can be corrosive to the print heads.

If you have an Epson, as I "did," the print head is very expensive to replace: as an example, a new 640 Stylus can be purchased for $149 - but a new print head for the same printer is $186 (I am not kidding!).

If your print head is built into the cartridges then refilling shouldn't do much harm since you replace the print heads when the cartridges are changed anyway.

I am now the owner of an HP812C, the cartridges are fairly large and contain more ink than the average ink jet printer. I am happy with this printer, but I just got it so only time will tell how it holds up.

My Epson 600 Color Stylus lasted 2.5 years and I refilled the cartridges about 15 times - I do not know if it was the refilling that killed the print heads, but my neighbor has had her Epson for 4 years and has always bought new cartridges.

Anyone know where I can get a NEW printhead for this Epson for under $50?