Inkjet printer cartridge refills

[XS650]

I got tired of paying $25 for ink cartridges for my 4 year old HP Photosmart 7350. It's been a good printer for the 4 years I've had it. It originally cost $200. I looks like an equivalent printer is under $100 these days so no big loss if I need a new one. Not that refills can damage a print-head-in-ink-cartridge printer.

I got an ink refill kit http://printerfillingstation.com/index.htm.

The kit I bought refills a black ink cartridge for less than $3.00/refill. After I use up the supply of ink that comes with the refill kit, replacement ink amounts to about $1.25/refill.

It's reasonable easy to do. I refill in the kitchen sink so any spills will be easy to clean up. No problems so far.

I just refilled my black HP #56 cartridge for the 3rd time and it still works like new. I hear cartridge life claims that vary from 3 refills to 15 refills for cartridges with built-in print heads like my HP. The refill company cautions users to refill before the cartridge runs dry so the cartridge print head won't burn out, or worst case to refill immediately when printing starts to show the first signs of low ink.

I have no experience with other refill companies refill materials, so can't compare them, but this one has done a good job for me.

I also have refills for the three color #57 cartridge. I'll be refilling it sometime in the next few weeks.

I'm not going to bother with the #58 photo ink cartridge. I've been using a photo services for photo quality prints. For someone who wants to do a lot of photo quality printing at home, but chokes on the ink prices, refill kits would be worth a look. Their photo ink kit has 12 refills for $22.95.

This has seriously postponed my plans to get a laser printer.

 

[Bill in Utah]

I used to refill and got so sick of all the problems. (messy, ink did not look as well as factory ink and most of all, spent way too much time refilling since they did not last long)

I've refilled both HP and canon carts.

I now buy my carts off of ebay (8 black and 6 color) for $23 shipped. They are no name but excellent ink. Last as long as factory and the photos/text are perfect.

The $23 lasts my family about 18 months.

Take care, bill

PS: I've got a Samsung laser printer and like it a lot, but I do wish I found these ebay carts before buying it as I would not have since the ink jet looks better print than a laser IMO.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
I used to refill and got so sick of all the problems. (messy, ink did not look as well as factory ink and most of all, spent way too much time refilling since they did not last long)

I've refilled both HP and canon carts.

I now buy my carts off of ebay (8 black and 6 color) for $23 shipped. They are no name but excellent ink. Last as long as factory and the photos/text are perfect.

The $23 lasts my family about 18 months.

Take care, bill

PS: I've got a Samsung laser printer and like it a lot, but I do wish I found these ebay carts before buying it as I would not have since the ink jet looks better print than a laser IMO.


Bill, I tried refills several years ago and they were poor quality. This one works for me. The mess potential is still there, but it's not bad with a little care.

Your eBay prices have my attention though. Which eBay vendor? If this is one of those forums where you aren't allowed to post eBay links, please PM me. I'm not married to this refill kit

 

[MGregoir]

I found that for certain printers, especially Lexmarks, the print head is integrated into the cartridge so what happens is you get a messy, dried out, clogged print head full of fresh ink and end up having to throw out the whole works anyways.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: MGregoir
I found that for certain printers, especially Lexmarks, the print head is integrated into the cartridge so what happens is you get a messy, dried out, clogged print head full of fresh ink and end up having to throw out the whole works anyways.


Print head in cartridge printers are the only ones I would refill. If you need to replace a print head in a print head in printer printer, it costs more than buying a new printer.

 

[MGregoir]

I'd just buy a Canon printer and ink and not worry about refilling them...so much simpler, so much less worry. I'll eat the $25 it takes every year for cartridges on my printer to have something that works as good as it does.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: MGregoir
I'd just buy a Canon printer and ink and not worry about refilling them...so much simpler, so much less worry. I'll eat the $25 it takes every year for cartridges on my printer to have something that works as good as it does.


Some of us can handle that complicated, frightening, worry causing task without breaking a sweat.

 

[stogiedude]

I tried several times over the years anf gave up because it never worked rightfor me. I wish it had, ink jet carts are expensive as [censored]. Last one I had refilled at a Walgreens drugstore for $10, such a deal!