epson 3000

[terryei]

Anybody use one?
I can get one of these cheap! 
I'm not up to speed on printers and film output.
Any help would be great!
What film do you use with this one? 
thanks
Terry

[Frog]

3000's have popped up a few times here. I know in this thread, http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php?topic=1194.0, and a search should find more.
In fact, two well known 3000 specialists (and providers of refurbs) joined a few weeks back and contributed, and are always available for specific questions.

If you can't find what you want searching generally, look for replies by theinkjetdoctor and sigmo

[jason-23]

I had one, great printer,water proof film only for me. 17" wide film.  But mine laid down and died so I run a epson 1400 which is all I need. Becareful with cheap, I paid 500 for mine from sigmo and it lasted for 2 years, I think it just needs a head replacement. The 3000 is a pretty standard output film printer. I use film maker v10 for my rip which works on the 3000 and my 1400 http://garmentdecoratingsupply.com/Software-RIPs-etc_c4.htm

[blue moon]

Anybody use one?
I can get one of these cheap! 
I'm not up to speed on printers and film output.
Any help would be great!
What film do you use with this one? 
thanks
Terry

I use one every day. We have a 1400 for backup.
It is an older printer with pretty decent output, good speed and extremely cheap inks. When I started we were using clear film, but over time developed issues with it and are using WP only now. Ink is cheap, incredibly cheap ($6 for a 110m cartridge) and it prints dark in double density mode (around 3.0 Dmax). There are faster, better printers out there, but it is hard to beat the operating cost and the reliability.

Another one of Sigmo's satisfied customers. I did get a couple of used ones from the web, but did not have any luck with them. Spent the money with Sigmo in the end to get a reliable printer.
I do think that at $500 or more it is not as good of bang for the buck as it was before. At $300 it would be worth every penny. I say this as a new 4880 was about $1000 this winter and with the 4900 being $1500 right now, my guess the prices will come down even more.

pierre

[Evo]

I do think that at $500 or more it is not as good of bang for the buck as it was before. At $300 it would be worth every penny. I say this as a new 4880 was about $1000 this winter and with the 4900 being $1500 right now, my guess the prices will come down even more.

Keep an eye out, the 4900 was going for $1049.00 last week.


Yeah the 3000 is a great machine. Mine has gone to the wayside after I picked up a 9600 though. I only fire it up once in awhile to keep it clear.

Anyone want to buy it? I even have an original box to ship it in.

[terryei]

Thanks for the info guys. The printer is free!  A friend of mine doesn't need it anymore and said I could have it.  So I'll go get it, and try it out.
thanks again
Terry

[Frog]

Let's just keep fingers crossed for you that even though he quit using it regularly, he still fired it up every few days to keep everything clean and clear.

Otherwise, I foresee one of those "My 3000 is leaving white streaks, what should I do? type threads.
Of course, unclogging tutes are always popular, unfortunately.

[Fresh Baked Printing]

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/sys/2552590304.html

Alex at 763-458-1691. If you call, he may ship.

[Shawn (EIP)]

there's a guy here selling one for 95.00
http://rochester.craigslist.org/sys/2559314715.html

Tempted but my 1400 has treated me just fine.

[Evo]

Otherwise, I foresee one of those "My 3000 is leaving white streaks, what should I do? type threads.
Of course, unclogging tutes are always popular, unfortunately.

SSC Service Utility for Epson:
http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml

I have brought one 3000 and two 1520's back from the dead with this little piece of software. (and by dead, I mean 1+ years of clogged death sitting on a shelf)

Use the "powerful" cleaning mode several times and it will blast the ink right out of the nozzles.

[squeezee]

Clamp off the tube from the capping station so that the liquid cannot escape.  Fill the capping station with your chosen cleaning fluid (50/50 water/IMS, windex or beer) pop the head in place and you should be soaking the head, leave overnight & run a cleaning cycle.

[screenprintguy]

There is a guy on Ebay called The InkJet Doctor. I've bought ink from him several times in the past, great communication. He refurbs 3000's, and will take beat up 3,000's on trade. I got ours on Ebay, been using it 4  years now with no problems, other than the normal cleaning of the head. We now use bulk black ink from www.inksupply.com. It's actually darker and cleaner than the Epson oem ink. I have less issues now printing double density positives from fast rip now using this ink. I think I paid 28 bucks for 2 liters of this ink, and refill my own black carts. The other c,m,y carts you can block the clip in the cart that tells the machine they are out of ink back with a bottle cap or quarter and just run it as black. I also found Bab's inkjet film from Valley Litho to be the best price and work great with this set up on a daily basis, from spot color seps to simulated and 4 color process seps. I'm really thinking about the new I-image from M&R cts but until then will keep rockin with the 3000, it's been reliable, affordable, and easy to use with all software types.

[blue moon]

There is a guy on Ebay called The InkJet Doctor. I've bought ink from him several times in the past, great communication. He refurbs 3000's, and will take beat up 3,000's on trade. I got ours on Ebay, been using it 4  years now with no problems, other than the normal cleaning of the head. We now use bulk black ink from www.inksupply.com. It's actually darker and cleaner than the Epson oem ink. I have less issues now printing double density positives from fast rip now using this ink. I think I paid 28 bucks for 2 liters of this ink, and refill my own black carts. The other c,m,y carts you can block the clip in the cart that tells the machine they are out of ink back with a bottle cap or quarter and just run it as black. I also found Bab's inkjet film from Valley Litho to be the best price and work great with this set up on a daily basis, from spot color seps to simulated and 4 color process seps. I'm really thinking about the new I-image from M&R cts but until then will keep rockin with the 3000, it's been reliable, affordable, and easy to use with all software types.

I'll throw out what I noticed first hand and also heard from David Parker (sigmo). . . When the InkJet Doctor came on, he copied sigmo's ads verbatim and bitched and complained about David, even called him a liar openly in public on the TSPMB. I am not a big fan of ppl ripping other ppl off and to top it all of, the tactics employed by TIJD left a very bad taste in my mouth. I paid the extra $50 and got my printer from sigmo and could not be happier with his service, help and product. I have seen The InkJet Doctor's ads on ebay and the old board, but will not buy from him.

pierre

[screenprintguy]

Pierre, I never knew any of that about him, only knew of my experiences with him, I wasn't part of the other board you mentioned, so I hadn't been privy to that info. I would say anyone wanting to still use the old 3000 just do your research with companies that no the machine and are regularly involved with the use and rebuilding/repairing of them. My experience with IJDR was great and that's all I can go by.

[Evo]

Anyone want to buy it? I even have an original box to ship it in.

BEST OFFER!

I'll post up an ad later today if I remember to take pics.