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CHARLESRSCAFF
Joined: 30 Aug 2008
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 3:01 am Post subject: HP DESIGN JET 650C |
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CHECK PEN PATH ERROR MESSAGE APPEARS AND ALL SEEMS TO BE CLEAR
PEN HEAD HESITATES WHEN TRAVELING FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND RETURNS WITH MESSAGE TO CHECK PEN PATH |
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raleighross
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 368
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:40 am Post subject: |
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Aside from the fact that you might have the last working 650C....
The print head carriage rides on 2 shiny metal bars called rails. The carriage itself has some felt like pads that rest on the rail.
These rails need to be oiled periodically. HP will sell a small bottle of oil for a lot of money. In a pinch on a unit this old I'd be comfortable using sewing machine oil or some other light weigh machine oil.
The problem is that if you'd gone too long without oil the pads can become worn/compressed and even after oiling the print heads will catch on the paper. Then the repair is more than the value of a 650C. Hopefully you're not at that stage.
To oil the rails get the print heads out in the middle, turn the machine off, put a few drops on each rail on each side of the print head and gently move the head back and forth.
I tell my clients to oil the rails about once a month.
Oh, yeah, if you've gone so long that you have build up on the rails you'll need to clean them off. Gently. And watch for the very thin metal comb ribbon behind the rails. Mess this up and you have a large interesting looking device that doesn't do much useful.
David |
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John Cruet
Joined: 30 Apr 2004
Posts: 291
Location: Guilford, CT
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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Time for a new printer? 
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John Cruet
G4/733 w/1028 mb RAM & OS 10.4.10, Classic-free, skuzzy-free (runs PC7)
MacBook Pro 2G Intel core duo 2 gig RAM & OS 10.5.4.
PowerCadd 8, WT 9
Canon iP710 printer
www.johncruet.com |
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raleighross
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 368
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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| John Cruet wrote: | | Time for a new printer? |
I've found people get mad if that's my opening line. So I just gave him enough information so in theory he'd come to that conclusion. 
David |
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poolvibe
Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 348
Location: My Lair
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| Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 8:35 am Post subject: |
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Did he say "Pen Head" 
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www.shouldbefree.net |
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MikeCharek
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 164
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| Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Oh, yeah, if you've gone so long that you have build up on the rails you'll need to clean them off. Gently. And watch for the very thin metal comb ribbon behind the rails. Mess this up and you have a large interesting looking device that doesn't do much useful. |
Plus you might amputate a digit or two if you're not careful... |
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raleighross
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 368
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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| MikeCharek wrote: | | Quote: | | Oh, yeah, if you've gone so long that you have build up on the rails you'll need to clean them off. Gently. And watch for the very thin metal comb ribbon behind the rails. Mess this up and you have a large interesting looking device that doesn't do much useful. |
Plus you might amputate a digit or two if you're not careful... |
For anyone not up on USA slang, this comb ribbon is very thin and can slice your skin open like a - scam rip-off - blade.
David |
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Peter Severin Carlsen
Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 83
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:03 am Post subject: |
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I would suggest using the synthetic oil such as Triflow. Spray a little on a cloth and wipe the rails. You will probably have to take off some of the covers to properly reach the rails. At some point you are going to have to replace the belt, so you might want to take a look at it and see if you are beginninng to find pieces dropping away.
I'm all for using your equipment if it still is working for you. There seem to be a number of new car salesmen who feel you have to trade in what you're driving every three years. More power to them if they've got the cash. Many of us keep driving what we have because it gets us where we're going just fine.
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Peter Carlsen |
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raleighross
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 368
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:47 am Post subject: |
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| Peter Severin Carlsen wrote: | | I'm all for using your equipment if it still is working for you. There seem to be a number of new car salesmen who feel you have to trade in what you're driving every three years. More power to them if they've got the cash. Many of us keep driving what we have because it gets us where we're going just fine. |
The newest car I own is 10 years old. But if the engine dies in any of them they are gone.
If the rail pads are gone on his heads it will likely be cheaper to buy a used NEWER unit than the cost of repairing his. Plus he might not be able to find a better cartridge assembly for his than the one he's replacing.
Sometime things just wear out.
David |
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