ALPS Printer model number ?

[dragonriversteel]

Hi all,

  What model of ALPS printer is for making waterslide decals ? On the hunt for one.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Patrick

[maxman]

Not certain, but it may have been model MD 5000. There is a discussion of that model here: http://jcrocket.com/alpsdecals.shtml, and a yahoo group here: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/alpsdecal/info?guccounter=1

 

[dragonriversteel]

maxman

Not certain, but it may have been model MD 5000. There is a discussion of that model here: http://jcrocket.com/alpsdecals.shtml, and a yahoo group here: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/alpsdecal/info?guccounter=1

 

 

 

 Thank you Max ! Couldn't remember the model number.

Patrick

[RR_Mel]

I have an Alps MD1000 and it prints decals perfectly.  I stock the full color cartridges as well as white, metallic silver and metallic gold.

 

The cartridges are getting sparce so the pricing is going up.  I keep my eye open for white and silver and when I see one at a good price I snatch it up.

 

If you find an Alps make sure it is shipped with the cartridges out of the printer.  If they are left in the printer they will come loose and ding the carriage.

 

There are several Alps that won’t print white so be careful when you read the printer specs.  The MD2010 doesn’t print white.  Make sure the print head doesn’t streak, there are heat coils in the head and if one is burnt out you can’t get a replacement and the print will have horizontal lines.

 

Also and very important Alps printers require a special driver and the latest release is for XP and they require a parallel printer port.  A parallel to USB converter won’t work.

 

See if the seller will include the printer driver software.

 

As Columbo always said, One more thing . . . . the Alps sounds like a thrashing machine when its printing so don't shut it down when it sounds like it's busted.

 

If you find one and need help send me a PM and I'll be glad to help you.

 

EDIT:

 

Check out the Alps post on my blog.

 

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-3-decals.html

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[dragonriversteel]

Thank you Mel ! 

Patrick

[maxman]

RR_Mel

I have an Alps MD1000 and it prints decals perfectly.

As I mentioned I wasn't certain.  I suspect that the model 5000 had some added capability but if that isn't required then the model quoted by Mel will probably be more than adequate.  Maybe Mel knows which printer cartridges would be more available, or if the same cartridges are used in both models.

[RR_Mel]

Normally the Alps printer cartridge adds have the printers listed that they fit.

 

The following cartridges fit the MD1000, MD1300, MD5000 and MD5500.  All four printers will print white.

 

Black      106005-00

Cyan      106020-00

Magenta 106015-00

Yellow    106010-00

White     106050-00

Silver     106045-00

Gold       106030-00

 

White, Silver and Gold are selling at about $20.  The metallic colors sell at about $40 each.

 

The four basic colors range from $8 to $12 each.

 

They also have finishing cartridges and translucent White, I haven’t tried them.

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[RR_Mel]

The Alps printers are fantastic, they have terrific repeatability.  They print one color at a time and if you want a two layer decal it will print white on white, double layer of thermal ink.  It’s too bad they discontinued the thermal printers.

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.