Refilling HP #56 & #57

[JLynn]

Newbie questions here.

1. Is it hard to refill the #56 and #57's?

2. Are there any special tricks that I should be aware of that are not
mentioned at refill websites?

3. Is resetting the software ink monitoring achievable? I read that
these methods are hit/miss. Mostly miss.

4. Any suggestions on the where to buy ink? Perhaps someplace
reasonable with decent quality?

5. How many refills can I realistically expect out of 1 cartridge?

6. How do you know when to refill? Since the software monitor is not
accurate, do you simply establish a weekly or monthly schedule?

5. Do you think I am better off with another printer? I just bought a
soon-to-be discotinued Canon i450 and wonder if I should just use this
instead. Apparently there are plenty of generics cartridges. Even
refilling is supposed to be easier.


Thanks guys.

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

Newbie questions here.

1. Is it hard to refill the #56 and #57's?

No. Just wear the gloves; that damn ink is hard to get off if you let
it dry. I always refill mine in the sink, so if there is any spilled
ink, it's easy to get rid of. Let the cart sit for about 20 minutes
after (on something that will keep the print head up off whatever
you're sitting it on.

2. Are there any special tricks that I should be aware of that are not
mentioned at refill websites?

With the colour cart, be careful not to overfill and let it run over
the top of the cart as it may drip into another colour's fill point.

3. Is resetting the software ink monitoring achievable? I read that
these methods are hit/miss. Mostly miss.

Done properly, the, the one I use is 'hit' every time on the 5550.

http://www.misterinkjet.com/reset5657.htm

4. Any suggestions on the where to buy ink? Perhaps someplace
reasonable with decent quality?

I use http://www.atlanticinkjet.com/ Their quality, service and price
seems very competitive and they ship in both the U.S. & Canada.

5. How many refills can I realistically expect out of 1 cartridge?

I'm on #5 on Black, #3 on colour, no deterioration in quality yet.

6. How do you know when to refill? Since the software monitor is not
accurate, do you simply establish a weekly or monthly schedule?

When the monitor is showing 1/3 full, I refill. It's not good to let
it get too low.

5. Do you think I am better off with another printer? I just bought a
soon-to-be discotinued Canon i450 and wonder if I should just use this
instead. Apparently there are plenty of generics cartridges. Even
refilling is supposed to be easier.

Your choice.