chrisgerhardchrisgerhard@mastodon.green
Oct 13, 2026, 1:06 PM@raineer why do laser, dot matrix and let's not forget daisy wheel printers get a free pass?
Replies
Raineer :blobrdm: 🦆 🇨🇦raineerOct 13, 2026, 1:13 PM@chrisgerhard I serviced all of those during the early part of my career.
I think toner/laser was my “favorite” as the cleanest and easiest to fix. I do miss the purely mechanical nature of dot matrix / impact printers, but ribbons still had ink in them
omg I hate ink
Cadbury MooseCadbury_Moose@wandering.shopOct 13, 2026, 1:23 PMChanging the ribbon on IBM card punches was extremely messy, and the violet ink could take ages to clean off your hands. 3:O((>
Lineprinters: no problem open the gate and there was enough room (and you needed) to use both hands to change the ribbon - plenty of room for gloves (which were usually supplied with the ribbon).
Cleaning the print train required OLTEP, special sticky paper (it was pink and looked like old Elastoplast) and ear defenders.
R nn,00E,1403WW/NFE//
- Raineer :blobrdm: 🦆 🇨🇦raineerOct 13, 2026, 2:37 PM
@Cadbury_Moose @chrisgerhard the little purple fuzz from the ribbon shreds were truly a bane
I still have my 3M service vacuum (was a standard IBM service tool in the old days), and it's my favorite. Just works. on anything. The filters are pricey, though.