It finally happened the bn-20 is dead :(

[Mrteajunkie]

After months of dragging it’s heels and a lot of money spent trying to keep it going it’s finally dead.

The final straw was Friday during a large order it decided to just stop printing magenta.
After a few cleans and messing on I decided to change the damper and see if that helps at all.

Did it help?
did it fook.
to top it off I somehow managed to balls up the captop which lifted out of the capping station where the bracket popped out and wouldn’t go back in place.

saturday spoke to an engineer in Newquay who said I could take it down to him and he’d only charge labour and parts if it needed any.

Booked a hotel In Newquay drove down Sunday morning dropped off printer and we went to the zoo for the day.
dreaded call came do I want to chance a new damper and it needs a new felt wiper.
£170 later still missing nozzles and being a bitch.

Turns out the head is fooked
now do I pay £1800 + vat and call out etc for a new head or say stuff it and go for a refurb sp300v for £3k

I bit the bullet and have opted to pay the £3k but traded in the bn for £500 off the sp.
next week should be fun I’m going to be £2.5k lighter and trying to squeeze a sp300 into my garage.

I could cry with the stress of this week.
it’s been an expensive weekend too hotel, fuel, food, zoo, damper and felt wiper.

things are never easy for me.

someone please tell me it’s worth it and it will be ok?.

[Paul]

sorry to hear this... but all I know about sp300 from my friend Roland engineer is to stay away from this very old printer as nobody wants to fix it of goes wrong. I would probably go for Mimaki if I bee you.

[pw66]

Mimaki aren't bullt proof.
My Mimaki threw a print head after 12 months, while still under warranty. ( Low use but profitable - mainly print garment vinyl 150 sq metres usage) Two months after the warranty ended the comm io board failed - £1800 to replace.
Two months after that the replacement printhead failed - another £2k if I decide to replace it.

Momey pit.

[Mrteajunkie]

Mimaki aren't bullt proof.
My Mimaki threw a print head after 12 months, while still under warranty. ( Low use but profitable - mainly print garment vinyl 150 sq metres usage) Two months after the warranty ended the comm io board failed - £1800 to replace.
Two months after that the replacement printhead failed - another £2k if I decide to replace it.

Momey pit.

Thats what worries me at least the printheads in the sp are two separate ones not a single head and a lot cheaper to replace.

Although I print a lot more these days than I did probably 5 fold what I did last year £1800+vat is a massive loss no matter what.

[socialgiraffe]

Paul, I would not touch Mimaki with a barge pole and you are the first person in 30+ years that I know of who suggest Mimaki over Roland. That said, if they work for you then stick to it mate

Back on thread...

Firstly, I "grabbed" a 540 a year ago as I was desperate. The thing is probably 25+ years old and still prints bob on. Had a couple of issues recently with cutting alignment but it was soon sorted. However, I am about to take delivery of a new UV640 and a BN20-2 so it will be up for a bargain price if you are interested

I also have a 300 here that is just as old. That has sat for a few years so would need a new head and ink lines cleaning etc plus all the other bits and bobs sorting. I know it worked last time it was plugged in. If you want a donor machine then looking at getting £500 (negotiable) if you are interested.

I was quoted £500 plus parts to get it back up printing etc. but to be honest, I can not be arsed.

[Mrteajunkie]

Paul, I would not touch Mimaki with a barge pole and you are the first person in 30+ years that I know of who suggest Mimaki over Roland. That said, if they work for you then stick to it mate

Back on thread...

Firstly, I "grabbed" a 540 a year ago as I was desperate. The thing is probably 25+ years old and still prints bob on. Had a couple of issues recently with cutting alignment but it was soon sorted. However, I am about to take delivery of a new UV640 and a BN20-2 so it will be up for a bargain price if you are interested

I also have a 300 here that is just as old. That has sat for a few years so would need a new head and ink lines cleaning etc plus all the other bits and bobs sorting. I know it worked last time it was plugged in. If you want a donor machine then looking at getting £500 (negotiable) if you are interested.

I was quoted £500 plus parts to get it back up printing etc. but to be honest, I can not be arsed.

Oh I would have taken that 300 too.
just bought a refurbished sp300v I took the chance but sounds like I made the right choice.
sadly I don’t have room for a 540 or a spare 300.
I work in a double garage size workshop which is already rammed with gear

I was tempted by the bn20 2 but then I’m restricted to 20” again it’s only 10” but it’s a big difference.