Do printer ribbons "dry out" with age?

[carkenord]

I have a Star Micronics NX-1000 dot matrix 9-pin printer.

It uses a black nylon ribbon.

Does that type ribbon "dry out" with age? I'm speaking of a new
ribbon, in original container, sitting on the shelf.

Or is the "ink" a type of material that can't "dry out"?

They are sooooo much cheaper if you buy them 6 at a time, but I don't
do that much printing. It would be 5-6 years before I started using
the last ribbon from a 6 pack of ribbons.
Thank you........ Lee Carkenord

 

[Ginchy]

yes they dry out

 

[pete]

I have a Star Micronics NX-1000 dot matrix 9-pin printer.

It uses a black nylon ribbon.

Does that type ribbon "dry out" with age? I'm speaking of a new
ribbon, in original container, sitting on the shelf.

If they dry, open them and squirt a bit of WD40 to revitalize them.

 

[Frog Legs]

If they dry, open them and squirt a bit of WD40 to revitalize them.

Pete is correct. WD40 will revitalize ink ribbons not once but several
times. Let the ink cartridge set for a couple of days before you use
it, or you will get ink smearing.

 

[Yikes!ItsIke]

yes they dry out

just like a woman
Want to Fix Something?

http://www.manuals4you.com

 

[BobS]

Well, both of you guy's have just aged yourselves.... (old farts...)

When is the last time you changed a ribbon on a dot matrix printer? I'll be
3rd to endorse the WD40 trick but go light with it and as they said - let it
sit for awhile and be sure any excess WD40 has drained off or you'll have a
mess.

If the printer isn't used a lot, take the ribbon out and place it in a
Ziploc type bag and throw it in the fridge between uses. Allow to warm up
before use. A little vinegar and oil and yer good to go.....

Panduit used to sell ribbons that had permanent ink for making labels we
used on marking cables and at nearly $50 per ribbon back then, keeping it
the fridge to keep it from drying out meant saving some bucks.


Bob S.

 

[Ginchy]

I tried that but she was having none of it!

If they dry, open them and squirt a bit of WD40 to revitalize them.

 

[pete]

Well, both of you guy's have just aged yourselves.... (old farts...)

When is the last time you changed a ribbon on a dot matrix printer?

A couple of weeks ago.
I keep a wide carriage Epson for doing income tax returns spreadsheets.
I use it once a year. It's kept in my garage, on a shelf above the lawnmower.

 

[pete]

I tried that but she was having none of it!

It's to punish you for top posting.

 

[pete]

Want to Fix Something?

http://www.spam

 

[BobS]

ya know... some old farts just can't let go of the past.........;-)


But after thinking about my statement, I guess dot matrix printers still may
be used quite a bit yet. Airlines, ticket vendors, etc.

Bob S.

A couple of weeks ago.
I keep a wide carriage Epson for doing income tax returns spreadsheets.
I use it once a year. It's kept in my garage, on a shelf above the

lawnmower.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

And do not spray too much in. A gentle misting once or twice... if you
flood it, the ink will leak out of it, and will stain everything, and
the print will be all oily and smeared.

Art

 

[Dave]

ya know... some old farts just can't let go of the past.........;-)

Yup ;-)

But after thinking about my statement, I guess dot matrix printers still may
be used quite a bit yet. Airlines, ticket vendors, etc.

Yup ;-)

I still see quite a lot in medium to large companies for payroll runs etc.
Some of the really highspeed DMPs, particularly lineprinters, are far more
economic than an equivilent speed laser printer.

Dave