Dot matrix printers
Posted:
Sat Oct 04, 2014 9:36 pmby tezza
I've run out of computers so covering some peripherals.
Remembering dot-matrix printers. Educational for younger people and maybe nostalgic for the rest of us?
http://youtu.be/UWM2OZGF8v0
Re: Dot matrix printers
Posted:
Thu Oct 09, 2014 6:50 amby SpidersWeb
Great video as always. That screech is quite characteristic of many offices, it's a noise I hate but at the same time brings back a lot of memories.
I have 3 dot matrix printers that all function correctly but finding replacement ribbons has been infuriating for me (Star LC series). I'll get "new + sealed" items sent over, open them up and install and they're dry! Some luck with treating them, WD40 or similar, but ended up just getting frustrated. Using a 1989 HP Deskjet Plus now - can actually still buy the cartridges new from HP which include the nozzles, so I'm fitting a 2014 head/ink to a 1989 printer and I think that's pretty awesome.
Re: Dot matrix printers
Posted:
Thu Oct 09, 2014 12:20 pmby Gibsaw
Must be possible to find out what the correct solvent is for them?
Re: Dot matrix printers
Posted:
Thu Oct 09, 2014 12:40 pmby SpidersWeb
Gibsaw wrote:Must be possible to find out what the correct solvent is for them?
Yep. I think it's a mix of glycol + alcohol from memory (could be wrong) - WD40 does the trick but I don't think I let it saturate in to the ribbon for long enough. "Infuriating" was probably the wrong word, just a little frustrated.
Re: Dot matrix printers
Posted:
Wed Oct 15, 2014 10:57 amby Carcenomy
OKI Microline. It's the only way to go in a dottie these days, they're still available new and hell... the 391 Turbo works in DOS right through to Windows 8.1!
Ribbons are easy meal too. AFAIK the Microline has been around since back in the day too... is a brand new device using the same pattern as the 80s okay or cheating?