[Ron Koyich]

I am about to ditch my HP Photosmart 8030 printer because it sounds like it needs oiling. This printer, and two or three other HP printers over the years seem to have rollers which run on bearings filled with noise. The squeaks started soon after purchase, and have progressively got worse.

What other small footrprint A4 colour printers are people happy with? I only print the occasional photo quality print - the majority of my printing is from web and word proc, etc.

Epson seems to get a good rap in another thread, any others? Any particular models that shine?

Ron

[PDLM]

Wouldn't a couple of drops of oil or a quick squirt of WD40 be cheaper than a new printer? To me this is really taking the concept of a "throw away society" too far.

[Lammarite]

Originally Posted by PDLM

Wouldn't a couple of drops of oil or a quick squirt of WD40 be cheaper than a new printer? To me this is really taking the concept of a "throw away society" too far.

True- if the print quality is still OK then it would seem a bit 'Hong Kong' to ditch it.

In answer to your question though, I have a Canon MP460 which I am very happy with.

[KnowItAll]

Anyone got an SLK that they want to get rid of because they cant be bothered to service it?

[Ron Koyich]

Sure squirt WD-40 - not even a very long lasting lubricant - into the mechanism that handles paper. I come from a maintenance background. Putting oil into bearings that weren't designed for oil can be frought with problems.

And, if I wanted greasy or oily paper I'd rather handle it after eating deep fried food.

Ron

PS - I was looking for more than snide comments...<g>

[PDLM]

You were the one who first suggested oil. Sure the actual solution would likely be baby powder or something, but the point remains - get it serviced if you can't do it yourself. And whatever you do please don't throw it in the trash - there are plenty of deserving causes would happily ytake it off your hands if it still prints OK.

[Ron Koyich]

Actually, I said 'it sounds like it needs oiling,' referring to the noise it makes.

I guess I'll have to get you to come over and put the baby powder in it, PDLM, as I wouldn't know where to start. ;-)

Any suggestions of a place which can fix it for a reasonable charge? eg- less than half the cost of a replacement printer?

Other than taking it back to the firm from which I purchased it, which doesn't want to deal with the noise.

Last time I checked with HP on repairs I got the distinct impression, based on their proposed charges, they want people to buy more printers.

Don't worry, I won't bin it - we have a couple of charities that love cast-off tech stuff.


Ron