I recently had to replace a 10 yr old HP 3310 inkjet printer, as it would cost far more to "repair" it than buy a new one.
As no one would buy it (unless they just want to tinker), I intend to salvage parts from it for future use in rebuilding / repowering old engines and such.
I know to harvest the various small motors, but what other parts should I look for to preserve in this process?
Cedarwoodron
Computer printers are the most aggravating contraptions known to man. Take a sledge hammer to it!
Theraputic value: Priceless !
Old Thumper Computer printers are the most aggravating contraptions known to man. Take a sledge hammer to it! Theraputic value: Priceless !
I agree, go Office Space on the thing.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
I remember reading about Henry Ford and his Rouge operation and Ford's quest to use every bit of raw material that came into the plant. It was said of the trees that Ford cut into lumber that came into the plant that he used every bit of it except the shade.
I salvage everything—well, as practically possible that is.
This is only a portion of the collection I have on hand.
Just a few nights ago I needed a shoulder screw for re-trucking a brass caboose. This tray was the first place I went and, sure enough, there was a pair "made-to-order! The fine springs, even lengths of the fine wire, sleeves, bushings, gears, cams. I have used the silicone isolation mounts for holding LEDs in place and if I find a part that I can't figure what else to use it for, I can always paint it and use it for a flat car load.
Dig out some of those odd shapes and use the tissue and white glue method to "tarp" your load. No one will ever figure out what you have under there!
I saw an article once about using a CD tray mechanism for animating an overhead door (either in a shop building or a tunnel entrance like Moffat has).
Regards, Ed
I junked an old inkjet a few years ago, and only saved one part from it - The external power supply.
It was a "brick" (not a wall wart) that produced a regulated 18VDC, which is perfect for my PR3. It even had the correct 2.1mm, center-positive plug on it!
cedarwoodron I recently had to replace a 10 yr old HP 3310 inkjet printer, as it would cost far more to "repair" it than buy a new one.
I want to know how you got the extra 9 years out of that thing.
Several years ago I was in our local Sears Service Department back shop when I noticed a couple of boxes of electronic 'trash'. Things like burned out appliance controls and display panels etc. At the time they were not getting much for the scrap so I asked If I could have it, and suprise, suprise the boss said yes.
After taking it all apart I was left with a garbage pail full of, well, 'garbage', but I also had a sizable collection of small screws and washers, a bunch of 120v relays, multiple micro switches, and a few coloured LEDs. Unfortunately, most things like the slow speed motors and displays were toast.
Recently, I decided to scrap my 35mm SLR camera. It wasn't in good shape, and I doubted that there would be a revival of 35mm photography anytime soon (except for the purists of course, one of which I am not). I was simply amazed at the complexity of the 'guts'. The camera was chock full of tiny screws, springs and gears, and the shutter fabric should come in handy for something interesting - I haven't figured out exactly what yet.
Somewhere I have an ancient tape style video camera. That will provide some interesting parts.
I encourage everyone to take apart your unwanted electronics. You can still take the bits to the dump for recycling. Even if you don't find anything useful, you will have had some fun.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
For CentralGulf: I bought the same model of printer I already had in my HS classroom, which was pretty high end in 2006- it used 6 separate ink cartridges and did excellent decal printing work for my HO car refurbishing work. The printers long lifespan was due to it being used less frequently than my classroom twin machine, and not making any large quantity copy jobs- I left the heavy work for my classroom printer.
One clue I got from an old 2009 post on this forum is to buy one of those clear plastic compartment ed parts boxes at Harbor Freight to separate all the stuff I salvage from the old printer. Using old pill containers just localizes an unorganized mess!
Have you noticed that printers only quit just after you've bought a new supply of the pricey inks?
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
peahrens Have you noticed that printers only quit just after you've bought a new supply of the pricey inks?
Yes, this is always so.
At the Abbey, I have gotten rid of ALL inkjet printers. Our standard printer is a B&W Laser printer. I could not "standardize" isnce models come and go on a daily basis. I do keep toner cartridges for each model that we are using on hand.
If someone wants a color printer, they will have to get permission from the Abbot, I'll not give them one of those on my own hook. Besides if you want color, it is far cheaper to use the Color Xerox down by the business office. It jsut shows up on your computer as another printer that is available.
I have salvaged parts from ink jets, motors and stepper motors are interesting, but they just take up space. A 15# sledge hammer takes care of them rather nicely.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I just buy bulk packs of cheeeeap generics on Amazon. (Lots of paper models being printed!)
Update:
I just finished disassembling my old video camera (had to be 25+ years old). I got more than 100 tiny screws of different sizes out of it plus a bunch of gears that can be used for scrap loads, but the most interesting part of the harvest was three small 6v motors. Two of them have long threaded shafts. They were used to extend and retract the lens. Interesting possibilities.
Before I scrapped the camera I checked eBay to see what it was worth. Not much, especially with stone cold dead batteries that wouldn't take a charge. Taking the thing apart was much more fun than trying to sell it. I will never use most of the screws but at least I have a wide selection of sizes when the need arises.
LensCapOn:
I checked out Amazon to see what the prices were for ink cartridges for my HP 7520. The prices for off brand products were very tempting, that is until I read the comments about leaks and short life expectancy. I have no intention of having a cartridge 'burp' all over me and the floor when I open it. Not worth the hassle IMHO.
Not being critical. Each to his own.
With respect,
My old HP printer cost $250 at Best Buy in 2006. The 6 pack ink cartridges ran over $40 for the set and I never saw the price go down in 10 years, even when buying recycled ink cartridges to try to save money. I notice that as printers became cheaper, the inks never did. If you spent X dollars on the printer, you would generally spend at least 2X on ink annually.
I replaced that old high end HP with a new high end Canon printer, to preserve my decal printing quality level and to take advantage of the newer imaging software that recent printers come with.
Given the amount of screws, motors, and gears I can harvest from the old printer, I will at least get some value from it, rather than giving it to a recycling center without disassembling it.
CEDARWOODRON
LION tried generic inks. Made a mess. Never again. Only use OEM supplies.
Besides Generics are almost as expensive.
I used buy name brand ink for my Epson all in one. Then one day I realized 99% of what I print needn't be in color. I went out and bought a Borther laser printer. I get 2000 pages from a $50 toner cartridge. That's comparable to what I paid for ink. I can get the cartridges during tax free week since they're considered a school supply. Bet of all, I can set it up as a network printer.
Now, when the drum wears out, I'm sure there is a treasure trove of parts to harvest.
hon30critter LensCapOn: I checked out Amazon to see what the prices were for ink cartridges for my HP 7520. The prices for off brand products were very tempting, that is until I read the comments about leaks and short life expectancy. I have no intention of having a cartridge 'burp' all over me and the floor when I open it. Not worth the hassle IMHO. Not being critical. Each to his own. With respect, Dave
Perhaps it's the Cannon, rather than HP, printer.
I've gone through a number of printers. Like all the rest of you, I'll wager.
As far as I can tell, the only use for an inkjet printer beyond target practice is in making really good photo prints. Always assuming you've got a really good printer. Which, if you spent the outrageous sum of $100, you don't.
For my everyday printer these days, I've got a color laser printer. It NEVER clogs. I can leave it six months and it will work. It doesn't develop funny little stripes and stuff. I don't have to "clean the jets". I don't have to align the printhead. I don't have to calibrate the calibrator. It just works!
What it does NOT do is really good photo prints. See earlier comment.
Ed
Printers are sold on the Gillette principle Give away the printer sell the ink. So I can see why printers would seem to break so often. But I never thought o havesting them for parts.
Joe Staten Island West
I have had several HP printers, a Lexmark, an Epson and now a Canon. The Canon is the best so far.
Brand name ink is pretty expensive as far as I'm concerned. It's worse for the Canon as it uses the color cartidges even printing black and has 6 different cartridges. My experience with generic cartridges is not good. I've had them leak all over the insides of the printers no matter what brand printer or cartridge. I haven't used any in the Canon so far and won't based on past experience. I hate gooey stuff running down the side of my printer stand and all over the place. If they work for you.........GREAT!
And YES...........the printer usually goes TU right after buying $75-90 worth of new ink cartridges...........and naturaly..........ones that don't work in your new printer! Odd how that happens!
My 2¢,
Roger Huber
7j43k I've gone through a number of printers. Like all the rest of you, I'll wager. As far as I can tell, the only use for an inkjet printer beyond target practice is in making really good photo prints. Always assuming you've got a really good printer. Which, if you spent the outrageous sum of $100, you don't. For my everyday printer these days, I've got a color laser printer. It NEVER clogs. I can leave it six months and it will work. It doesn't develop funny little stripes and stuff. I don't have to "clean the jets". I don't have to align the printhead. I don't have to calibrate the calibrator. It just works! What it does NOT do is really good photo prints. See earlier comment.
I went a similar route, an Okidata LED multifunction machine for scanning, copying, faxing, and color printing, plus a Kyocera B&W laser for anything that doesn't require the Oki's talents. Both are network printers.
At the moment I am happily inkjet free.
I think you might be beating the odds if you have never had a leak, but go for it!
I just guaranteed that my HP printer will quit soon. I just ordered $150 worth of cartridges. HP had an on line deal that saved you $50 if you ordered $200 worth. So, I got them at 25% off. I'm happy, that is until the printer quits!
Take care,
oldline1 I have had several HP printers, a Lexmark, an Epson and now a Canon. The Canon is the best so far.
Interesting. I started with a Lexmark, had 3 Canons (the last an ipf5100), and an Epson 2200.
The Epson is the best. Though it still has a color tint that won't go away. The Canons made me nuts.
Right now, if I HAD to buy a printer that can do really good color photos, I'd go Epson.
And if I wanted a trouble-free general purpose color printer, I'd get what I've got: Brother HL-4570CDW laser printer. It, too, is on my network.
Hello all,
The umbrella company of my pike is the Consolidated Materials Group (CMG).
I came up with this name because I'm on a shoestring budget and made a promise to "She Who Must Be Obeyed" that I wold scratch build as much as I can with "found materials" (junk!).
Several of my rolling stock are made of coffee stir sticks, large and small hobby sticks; "popcicle" sticks and unused tongue depressors (both available at Lowe's- -sruprisingly enough!) and PVC piping.
To that end, the veterinary practice she works at, retired an X-ray film developing machine. She parted it out and gave me the "pick of the litter" so to speak.
There were numerous items that will make great flatcar loads and details for machinery.
Because this machine was in working condition the motors; all be it too large for mobile purposes, could be used to power scenery.
Part out any and all items and don't forget to use the spent printer cartridges for things like loads and industrial bins.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Have you noticed you can buy a whole new printer with black and color cartridges cheaper than you can buy the two cartridges alone?
I saved an old Lexmark power supply. It puts out 30 volts. Have no idea what I can use it for.
hobo9941 I saved an old Lexmark power supply. It puts out 30 volts. Have no idea what I can use it for.
If you got three more, you could put the outputs in series to get 120 V.
Uh. Never mind.
ED:
7j43kIf you got three more, you could put the outputs in series to get 120 V.
hon30critterI encourage everyone to take apart your unwanted electronics. You can still take the bits to the dump for recycling. Even if you don't find anything useful, you will have had some fun.
I wholeheartedly agree. I've taken apart a number of old 35mm cameras and various old digital cameras that we have accumulated over the years. They are a rich source of gears and tiny motors. BUT BEWARE. Inside most of these cameras lurk fairly hefty capacitors. Touch the wires on one of these if they still have a charge and you will get a very painful shock. Ask me how I know. And you will probably find yourself using words that you have to explain to your children.