which laser printer for a good thick toner image????????

[deadastronaut]

hi guys, i'm getting fed up with waiting for my wife to get home to get my printing...

so i thought i'd just buy a 'cheap' but good mono laser printer!...

i did a search, but as you know technology advances at a rapid rate, whats good today , may be surpassed tomorrow etc...

i'm after a mono laser printer, that will be good for pcb/enclosure etching transfers...(good thick image)...

anyone recommend any particular reasonably priced model...with regards to reasonably priced toner cartridges also......?

ive seen reasonably cheap mono printers/ and toner on fleabay...but i havent a clue as to which one to get...!!!!

[iccaros]

I can tell you my brother LED (laser new technology) printer does not work.. or at lest is very temperature sensitive and easy to overheat.

[Mark Hammer]

Many printers will have options that allow for a slower, higher-quality image to be produced (i.e., more toner deposited).  The drivers will often allow you to adjust image darkness and contrast.  Increasing contrast will often result in thicker toner deposit.

All in all, you don't need THAT much toner to do the job.  What some folks attribute to insufficient toner may well be insufficiently prepared copper surface (i.e., toner isn't adhering), or insufficient heat application.  This is more likely to be true when using photo paper, since its greater thickness can make it hard to know when the image has been fully transferred.

[deadastronaut]

forgot to ask: is all toner the same?....

[Mark Hammer]

Pretty much.  Doesn't have to be black, either.  You could print the image in yellow and it would still stick to the copper.

[deadastronaut]

@mark. cheers, i'm going for a mono, for cheapness....just no idea on which model to get!...

[alparent]

If you don't need a laser printer for nothing else......don't get one! They cost an arm and a leg in the long run. I know!
Got one and everything was OK until I needed to get a new cartridge! 120$ to replace the cartridge in a 80$ printer!!! I don't think so!
Tried the "compatible" ones.........they are crap!

Plan your projects ahead and same lots of $$$$$.

Just my 2 cents...........that all I can afford......now that I have a laser printer.  

[deadastronaut]

gotcha!.

they used to be pricey, but the cost has come right down now...last time i looked a cartridge was £100.00 or so...so i just left the idea alone!...

now you can get em around £20.00...


example: pc world (uk based rip off store) wants £60.00 for a toner cartridge...

exactly the same one on ebay £11.00.....thats cheaper than my inkjet one!..

[Gurner]

Whilst I realise you're wanting to use the toner transfer methd (which I don't bother with - ironing is wimmen's work!), I use a very old laserjet 4 - it's a parallel port (which shows it's age)...I print onto transparencies...it works *very* well.

So - esp if money's too tight to mention - consider picking up an out of fashion laser from a few years ago for something like a tenner with toner!

[deadastronaut]

@cheers gurner: but is all toner the same...?...are there different types?..i dont want to get one only to find 'that toner wont work'....

i dont mind the ironing...it puts me in touch with my feminine side..

around £50-60 is ok...

[Gurner]

@cheers gurner: but is all toner the same...?...are there different types?..i dont want to get one only to find 'that toner wont work'....

Not sure...though I've read that some of the newer brands have toner that's different (it's never easy is it?!)

i dont mind the ironing...it puts me in touch with my feminine side..

Perhaps the site owner might consider a new range - "diystompboxes" ironing board covers?!!  

[theundeadelvis]

I've used a Samsung ML-1740 for years, and it's been great! I bet you can pick one up cheap on Ebay. I get re-manufactured toner cartridges from Monoprice for $25 (or I refill my own for about pennies). I paid less than $100 for it new 4+ years ago.

[deadastronaut]

I've used a Samsung ML-1740 for years, and it's been great! I bet you can pick one up cheap on Ebay. I get re-manufactured toner cartridges from Monoprice for $25 (or I refill my own for about pennies). I paid less than $100 for it new 4+ years ago.

cheers , i'll check that one out on ebay now!..

@gurner

A: no it isn't  

B: i'd buy one!..


edit: no Samsung ML-1740 printers on ebay!..UK.

[theundeadelvis]

This looks like the current model. http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/printers/ML-2525W/XAA
Saw one on Amazon for $50!

[alparent]

The one I have is a Samsung ML-2010. Work great with the original cartridge. Used epson photo paper. Didn't even have to soak it before peeling it off. Not to bad with the ebay powder refills is the original cartridge. But very bad with the compatible cartridges.

It's a fact that having your how printer is very practical. Now you've giving the itch. I might just order a new compatible cartridge from somewhere else.

The original one had a green drum.....the compatible (crappy one) had a blue drum (don't know if it make a difference)?
I found a place that sell compatible ones with the green drum.

(I actually sent them picture of the one I have and told them if this is the one you sell, I don't want it......it's crap!) and they told me that they had a different supplier.  I guess I should order one.  (I know this is not helping you at all........but I was on a roll!)

[iccaros]

forgot to ask: is all toner the same?....

No.. They are not

Brother Laser Toner melts at low temp. HP melts at higher a temp.. Higher temp toner will be more forgiving. Other brand printers will have different ratings that fall between.  
Once for example Brother toner melts, its like a fabric, and does not react well to remelting. On the other hand HP seams to do much better.

So For this reason I take my transfer paper into work and print on the HP's. While I use my Brother to print on Tee-shirt Iron ons for cases.

[deadastronaut]

hmmmm nothings simple is it...

[Seven64]

i have a brother laser printer with an office max refill cartridge.  how would that work?

[deadastronaut]

i was looking at this one!..looks ok. with proper samsung toner cartridge!...£50.00.

any opinions?..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Samsung-ML-1660-Laser-Printer-Brand-New-Toner-ML-1665-/150603783458?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_Printers_Printers_JN&hash=item2310af5d22

[Mark Hammer]

I guess the question asked can be viewed simply or in a more complex manner.

At one level, yes, if it is toner, it doesn't matter what toner, it sticks to copper board and will allow for toner transfer of resist patterns.

At another level, as Steve points out, the heat requirements for toner may differ by brand of printer.

And because of THAT, at yet another level, people may encounter different results using THIS toner, with THAT medium (PnP, magazine paper, photo paper), and THAT iron.

It will ALL work, in the end.  The quality or ease with which it does will vary from situation to situation.  You may have to adjust your style a bit.