Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

[Lobster]

Hi guys, girls and tech heads.

Ive been offered a Ricoh Copier for a really good price under $400 with 4 new toners and this is what I know so far.

The machine has had ($1000 in new parts over a year ago) Its been sitting still for a year but working really well apart from the prints have what looks like soot on them when they come out. and it has a squeaky roller


Now im buying this for my own purposes for printing graphic novels and other art projects so my cash is limited and I hear to call out a tech its 140inc tax an hour

Now I hear you need to calibrate it once its transported is this true? (is it really necessary?)

Is it easy for me to remove this soot problem on the prints myself and perform the maintenance myself?

Would you advice me to buy this copier and try this? Could this be a money pit or a bargin?

I read that to connect a PC to print you need an option module is this the case or can I sent prints and retrieve scans from a basic model Ricoh 4506 copier?


thanks really appreciate your answers and time.


UPDATE:
So from the web it could be the drum needs cleaning or near the end of its life (Is this what is dropping the soot?
I suppose there is a big difference. One I can buy the brush or need a new drum round $150 and have it professionally installed (or can I do it myself?)

New Drum:

http://www.tonercartridgedepot.com/ric-b0179510.htm

Cleaning Brush:

http://www.precisionroller.com/drum-brushes-for-ricoh-aficio-color-4506/details_25232.html

What would be my next step, Is there a life reading on the copier of the Drum or does this just sound like it needs cleaning cause its been standing for a year?

Thankyou for answering any part of this question.

[Jomama46]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

That machine was discontinued in '02 and final parts availability was '09. I 'm sure you can find supplies on line but if you need a "part" you may be in for a heart ache.
It would be a shame to put a lot of dough into a machine and then have it die becasue of a 2 dollar part. And it does happen.
Dont think with your wallet.

[Lobster]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

That machine was discontinued in '02 and final parts availability was '09. I 'm sure you can find supplies on line but if you need a "part" you may be in for a heart ache.
It would be a shame to put a lot of dough into a machine and then have it die becasue of a 2 dollar part. And it does happen.
Dont think with your wallet.

Thanks for the Reply Jomama46:
Its assured that I dont know what im getting into. I saw a cheap price for a quality machine that could print of 9000 pages of comics per cartridge but the soot issue requires tech knowledge and my 300 investment might turn into $200 service charge and up to $200 in parts that without their being any other problems in it.
And as you've said parts availability was 09 im dependent on online parts which are now limited. The too good to be true saying might hold wisdom here.

Its looking less and less a bargin and more like a money pit.


If anyone else can answer the other questions would be cool, thankyou everyone.

[zed255]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

That model could easily become a big hole to pour your money into, avoid it no matter how cheap it is.

[kyrenecopy]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

Run away, run very fast! This machine is not worth putting any money into. If you can make it work for free then you will get what you pay for. It needs work by the sound of your description and with the cost of service, parts needed (that you probably can't get) why bother. Stop now and look for something else!

[Lobster]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

That model could easily become a big hole to pour your money into, avoid it no matter how cheap it is.

ahhhh lobster balls.
I had images of it sitting in my studio and the luxury. Printing of graphic novels for me and other artists. But Its a good chance Im the one paying for it and like keeping an old car it can collapse at any time and repairs will break you. Its probably just cheaper to send my shit to the printers when im ready.

Even if I persuaded the seller to call in a Technician for a full report on it and its good. Is it like an old man with a new heart bunged in? Its not "if" but when he's gonna croak? Is that the case?

[Jomama46]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

You're beginning to sound smarter already!

[Lobster]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

You're beginning to sound smarter already!

Hey Your'e the experts in this domain. Im just a mere vistor with the thirst of knowledge and a good deal on art tech.

Its hard to walk away from this one but I think its for the best. Thanks for the council and approach. Much appreciated.

thanks Matt

[blackcat4866]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

As you're shopping keep in mind the 7 year rule. Even if you had a brand new 4506 in the box this morning, you still couldn't maintain it.

So if you'd like to keep your new purchase for say ... three years, the earliest manufacture date could be July 2008. Without manufacturer provided parts, it's a crapshoot trying to keep it running. That's why it was only $400.00. Every day churches are donated machines just like this. And I have to tell them basically the same thing.

My recommendation is to look around. When you've got a half dozen machines to consider, for the moment don't worry about who makes it:
1) Look at the manufacture date. Forget machines older than 2007 entirely.
2) note the number of prints & copies.
3) Post your list of candidates. We be glad to shoot down the worst ones right off.

That will help you make a more informed decision. =^..^=

[Lobster]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

Hey Esteemed peers of the printer clan.

So I received a email last week with a donation invitation. I now have a free Ricoh Aficio 4506 for free, I had to give it a trial for the $20 i spent on gas to pick it up and a pint to my friend who helped me move it.

Before opening we move it and silicon leaked from container before the journey but was contained and cleaned off. Whats the silicon used for and what type do i refil with?

Its dropping dots of toner on the prints so i guess i need to clean what i can.

I was wondering is there a service document or any tutorials for doing this online i cant find any.

And can you a tell me what calibrations i must do to the machine before i start using it at its new location.

Thanks

GOPR2567.jpgGOPR2568.jpg

As you're shopping keep in mind the 7 year rule. Even if you had a brand new 4506 in the box this morning, you still couldn't maintain it.

So if you'd like to keep your new purchase for say ... three years, the earliest manufacture date could be July 2008. Without manufacturer provided parts, it's a crapshoot trying to keep it running. That's why it was only $400.00. Every day churches are donated machines just like this. And I have to tell them basically the same thing.

My recommendation is to look around. When you've got a half dozen machines to consider, for the moment don't worry about who makes it:
1) Look at the manufacture date. Forget machines older than 2007 entirely.
2) note the number of prints & copies.
3) Post your list of candidates. We be glad to shoot down the worst ones right off.

That will help you make a more informed decision. =^..^=

[blackcat4866]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

Well at least you've got you're money's worth. Here's the fuser oil you seek:
Ricoh Aficio COLOR 4506 Fuser Oil

Before you pour it in, it's very common on 10 year old copiers to have cracks develop in the fuser oil pan. When you pour in the oil, you'll be lubricating the duplexer, paper trays, paper feed units, 95% of it ends up absorbed by your carpeting. Inspect the fuser oil pan to confirm that there aren't obvious leaks. Use alcohol or orange-sol to clean up the oil.

Take a look at this webpage: Ricoh Aficio COLOR 4506 Supplies and Parts (All)
There aren't many parts available. Don't order too far ahead on toner or anything else.
=^..^=

[Lobster]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

Thanks for coming back for second lot of help and advice on this, Truely appreciate it.

The fuser pan (clear container) is intact with no cracks.
One of the rolls in the fuser has some teflon missing on. Is this the reason why random dots of toner appear on the prints or this would cause smears instead?
Although if im mistaken this is the Fuser Oil Supply Roller and not actually touching the paper. Maybe this isnt causing the spill.

The picture of the fuser spilt in the top feedtray would that suggest the toner is being spilt inside the machine?

In the spilling of the fuser oil it ran back through the machine, ive cleaned it all up but need to know, should there be this oil on the bottom fuser roller shown in the pic? Or is the silicon fuser ran at such a high temperature around all of the roller when the paper passes through it. Do that mean you need to topup the fuser fluid every so often?

how much oil do i need in the machine running? at the level its at is that adequate for occasion use of the copier?

thanks
GOPR2585.jpg




Can you also explain the recommendation to calibrate the machine, is this done through the software or hardware?

thanks

Well at least you've got you're money's worth. Here's the fuser oil you seek:
Ricoh Aficio COLOR 4506 Fuser Oil

Before you pour it in, it's very common on 10 year old copiers to have cracks develop in the fuser oil pan. When you pour in the oil, you'll be lubricating the duplexer, paper trays, paper feed units, 95% of it ends up absorbed by your carpeting. Inspect the fuser oil pan to confirm that there aren't obvious leaks. Use alcohol or orange-sol to clean up the oil.

Take a look at this webpage: Ricoh Aficio COLOR 4506 Supplies and Parts (All)
There aren't many parts available. Don't order too far ahead on toner or anything else.
=^..^=

[blackcat4866]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

Let me qualify this by saying that I didn't work on Ricohs until this model was already obsolete. I have worked on machines of similar technology so I can answer some of your questions.

... One of the rolls in the fuser has some teflon missing on. Is this the reason why random dots of toner appear on the prints or this would cause smears instead?

Yeah, the upper fuser roller doesn't look good. That will need replacing. Fuser parts are typically replaced in sets. Another old time Ricoh guy can recommend what also should get replaced with it. Usually it's upper claws, bearings and cleaning roller.

... In the spilling of the fuser oil it ran back through the machine, ive cleaned it all up but need to know, should there be this oil on the bottom fuser roller shown in the pic?

That's normal. The paper absorbs oil off the rollers. Since the paper doesn't reach all the way to the ends that oil won't be absorbed.

... how much oil do i need in the machine running? at the level its at is that adequate for occasion use of the copier?

I believe that this machine will have a sensor to request oil when it's required. If you don't have an indication, there's enough. Warning: Don't fill it to the top. You've soaked up enough oil, yes?

... Can you also explain the recommendation to calibrate the machine, is this done through the software or hardware?

I don't have the answer for that one. You'll need that way-back Ricoh tech. Does that help a little? =^..^=

[Lobster]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

Mr BlackCat that is of grand help. Do you know of any other good resources i can check for info, knowledge and diy guides?


Can I just try and clarify that this roller doesnt actually touch the paper, so i think its the oil supply roller... ? Whats the chance that this is causes the random spots on the prints?
with an uneven spread of oil across the fuser rollers cause this?


Or is the toner being dropped on the print in the drum do you think?

These are all guestimates on your side i know. But you best guesses are welcomed,


thanks

Let me qualify this by saying that I didn't work on Ricohs until this model was already obsolete. I have worked on machines of similar technology so I can answer some of your questions.



Yeah, the upper fuser roller doesn't look good. That will need replacing. Fuser parts are typically replaced in sets. Another old time Ricoh guy can recommend what also should get replaced with it. Usually it's upper claws, bearings and cleaning roller.



That's normal. The paper absorbs oil off the rollers. Since the paper doesn't reach all the way to the ends that oil won't be absorbed.



I believe that this machine will have a sensor to request oil when it's required. If you don't have an indication, there's enough. Warning: Don't fill it to the top. You've soaked up enough oil, yes?



I don't have the answer for that one. You'll need that way-back Ricoh tech. Does that help a little? =^..^=

[blackcat4866]

Re: Ricoh 4506- Comic Printing. Soot and service advice please.

I'll need a high-res scan of the image before I'll make any blind guesses. =^..^=