Dot Matrix Printers...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eric
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Eric

Hi,

I have a legit reason to step back into the 1980's and use a DMP printer.

It will specifically be used for multipart forms. I also would like for it
to be able to be used with perfed paper as well.
(Remember the Z-paper with holes in the side?) Preferably, I'd like it to
be a bottom feeder for this type of paper.

I had a printer like this, but threw it away a decade ago even though it
worked fine. Wish I kept it.

From what I have read, 9-pin DMP's deliver more force as they strike the
paper than 24-pin DMP's and, as such, are prefered when printing to
multiform paper.

Tons of old DMP's on Ebay, but not sure if it would be better to just get a
brand new one. They are relatively expensive new at ~$400.

Also going to need software for filling out the forms, which will be custom
made.

Just looking for any advice by those that are still using DMP's for these
specialized purposes.

Thanks!
 
Hi,

I have a legit reason to step back into the 1980's and use a DMP printer.

It will specifically be used for multipart forms. I also would like for it
to be able to be used with perfed paper as well.
(Remember the Z-paper with holes in the side?) Preferably, I'd like it to
be a bottom feeder for this type of paper.

I had a printer like this, but threw it away a decade ago even though it
worked fine. Wish I kept it.

From what I have read, 9-pin DMP's deliver more force as they strike the
paper than 24-pin DMP's and, as such, are prefered when printing to
multiform paper.

Tons of old DMP's on Ebay, but not sure if it would be better to just get a
brand new one. They are relatively expensive new at ~$400.

Also going to need software for filling out the forms, which will be custom
made.

Just looking for any advice by those that are still using DMP's for these
specialized purposes.
Click to expand...

You might also consider chain printers as well for multipart forms. We used
to use Dataproducts chain printers to print wind tunnel data out on three
page "carbonless" carbons years ago. 132 ch wide perforated pages.
 
I have rarely heard of one of the older beasts dying. Some of the old
Raven/Roland/Panasonic and Epson DMP were built to last nearly forever.
If you can get one cheaply, it is likely o be working, although some
require dip switch positions be c hanged to configure, so finding
manuals is critical for some types of devices.


I wouldn't reject out of hand a 2nd party offer of a DMP, as some may be
well taken care of, or have minimal mileage.
Art
 
That was my experience as well with the older 9 pin DMP of this vintage
and brand.

Art
 
Eric said:
Hi,

I have a legit reason to step back into the 1980's and use a DMP printer.

It will specifically be used for multipart forms. I also would like for it
to be able to be used with perfed paper as well.
(Remember the Z-paper with holes in the side?) Preferably, I'd like it to
be a bottom feeder for this type of paper.

I had a printer like this, but threw it away a decade ago even though it
worked fine. Wish I kept it.

From what I have read, 9-pin DMP's deliver more force as they strike the
paper than 24-pin DMP's and, as such, are prefered when printing to
multiform paper.

Tons of old DMP's on Ebay, but not sure if it would be better to just get a
brand new one. They are relatively expensive new at ~$400.

Also going to need software for filling out the forms, which will be custom
made.

Just looking for any advice by those that are still using DMP's for these
specialized purposes.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Before buying one on Ebay, I suggest you do a bit of research and make
sure the ribbons are widely available. The older these printers get, the
fewer places there will be that have ribbons for them. When I quit using
my dot matrix printers I had two, an Epson LX800 and a Star NX-1001.
Searching for ribbons just now for each one, Google came up with 966
pages for the Star, but 32,300 for the Epson. The Star had a few more
capabilities than the Epson, but they wouldn't matter for the uses
you're describing.

Panasonic and Epson were probably the most popular dot matrix printers.
Epson used the same ribbon cart in several printers. I don't know about
Panasonic. I believe most Epsons had ribbons with higher capacity than
the Panasonics, but if you aren't using the printer very often that
extra capacity may dry up before it's used up, so that may not make a
difference for you.

BTW, you don't need a "legitimate reason" to use old technology. Because
you want to is all the reason you need.

TJ
 
If you are in a major metropolitan area, check with the thrift stores.
They are well built and a used one may provide good service.
I'm still using a Panasonic KX-P1124 [replaced the paten strip recently] and
gave 3 similar models away.
Click to expand...

I have one of those in my summer cabin, still works great! Haven't
looked for a ribbon for a while though, those might be a little hard
to find now.

Jerry
 
TJ said:
Before buying one on Ebay, I suggest you do a bit of research and make
sure the ribbons are widely available. The older these printers get, the
fewer places there will be that have ribbons for them.
Click to expand...

TJ-

A place to look for obscure dot matrix printer stuff, is Computer
Friends in Portland, Oregon.

<http://www.cfriends.com/>

Many years ago, I had two of their ribbon re-inkers, and spent a LOT of
time re-inking ribbons for my Epson MX-80 and FX-150 printers. I found
Computer Friends to be easy to deal with. They had much
better-than-average customer relations.

Fred
 
Eric said:
I have a legit reason to step back into the 1980's and use a DMP printer.

It will specifically be used for multipart forms. I also would like for it
to be able to be used with perfed paper as well.
(Remember the Z-paper with holes in the side?) Preferably, I'd like it to
be a bottom feeder for this type of paper.
Click to expand...

The Okidata 320 is the current standard printer for this.
From what I have read, 9-pin DMP's deliver more force as they strike the
paper than 24-pin DMP's and, as such, are prefered when printing to
multiform paper.
Click to expand...

Can't recall having a problem with either. 24-pin can be quieter and
provide better print quality.
Tons of old DMP's on Ebay, but not sure if it would be better to just get a
brand new one. They are relatively expensive new at ~$400.
Click to expand...

It's a small and shrinking niche market. If reliability is a concern, a
new Oki would be my choice.
Also going to need software for filling out the forms, which will be custom
made.
Click to expand...

Wait--if you haven't even created the forms yet, why are you going with
an impact printer? Have your software print a store copy and a customer
copy. Then you can use a laser printer to print your custom forms on
plain paper. No inventory of custom-printed multipart forms (or lead
time on getting them printed). No form alignment issues. Faster print,
quieter, lower cost, and the customer won't read "3" as "8".
Just looking for any advice by those that are still using DMP's for these
specialized purposes.
Click to expand...

Avoid if possible.
 
Hi!
BTW, you don't need a "legitimate reason" to use old technology.
Because you want to is all the reason you need.
Click to expand...

I like that! What you typed just made my day, and it's nice to hear someone
else say so!

William (still has and uses an IBM ProPrinter XL24E...another good bet,
though you might prefer the non-wide-carriage versions)
 
William said:
Hi!


I like that! What you typed just made my day, and it's nice to hear someone
else say so!

William (still has and uses an IBM ProPrinter XL24E...another good bet,
though you might prefer the non-wide-carriage versions)
Click to expand...
Thanks. It's always good to hear from someone who realizes that things
aren't useless just because they have a bit of experience.

TJ
 
This was a piece of garbage when it was new. It cannot compare to an
Epson, Okidata, Star or even a Panasonic DOT.
 
Hi!
This was a piece of garbage when it was new. It cannot compare to an
Epson, Okidata, Star or even a Panasonic DOT.
Click to expand...

Come on...you can't be wrong about *everything*, now can you?

They were every bit as good as anyone else's. And being IBM, they were
definitely overbuilt. The carriage drive (an actual screw drive on these)
will probably never wear out!

William
 
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