Recycle Empty Toner Cartridges with Toner Refill Kits

Toner is a powdery substance produced from a mix of carbon powder and pigments. It is the physical component that binds to paper or media and forms the fonts and graphics conveyed as a raster graphic image by the computer to the laser printer. Particular grams of toner powder are loaded to the toner cartridge housing depending on projected yield in number of pages at the standard page coverage of 5%. In the process of printing, toner melts when the fuser heats up to a certain temperature and by way of electrostatic charges attach itself to media.

Compatible toner powder is the product of the genius of third party manufacturers. And just like the OEM produced toner, compatible toner powder comes with a similar physical composition, particle size and fusing temperature. Compatible toner is likewise available in monochrome, cyan, magenta and yellow colors. Therefore, third party toner can be used to refill an empty toner cartridge.

Compatible toner can damage the laser printer.
Compatible toner cannot cause damage to the laser printer. Though produced by third party manufacturers, the composition of compatible toner is similar to OEM toner. That's why it is termed "Compatible" - it is fit and safe for use on the laser printer.

Use of compatibles will void the laser printer's warranty.
Compatibles won't void the laser printer's warranty. The purchase and use of compatible toner is legal and does not in any way violate the terms of the warranty to void it. This is covered by the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act.

You can't trust the output of compatibles.
Toner refill kits are dependable. Print quality and yield satisfy OEM standards. What needs to be ascertained is the credibility of the supplier or reseller. A legitimate reseller would of course be able to provide you a quality product and provide aftersales services as well.

Refilling cartridges is a messy, difficult task.
It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to conduct the refill. Even a fifth grader can do it so why can't you?

Think about buying petrol for your car. Base gasoline coming out of refineries may vary in terms of additive content but the resultant fuel products are generic for all gasoline fed vehicles. Thus, the consumer is given the option to refuel with the gasoline station that meets his fancy.

Refilling the toner cartridge is much like refueling a car. Toner powder is the gasoline while the cartridge is the car. After the cartridge runs out of toner supply, it can be refueled or in this case refilled with fresh toner supply. We all know that OEMs do not retail toner powder. Instead, they sell expensive replacement cartridges. In this case, laser printer users have a choice! While gasoline can be secured from Shell or Chevron, compatible toner powder can be purchased online through aftermarket resellers such as http://www.lasertekservices.com.

Just like the auto, toner cartridges are rated with a certain lifespan after which its serviceable life terminates. Experts recommend 3 toner powder refills before bidding adieu to the cartridge. Remanufacturing will however help extend its serviceable life.

Toner cartridges of color laser printers such as the HP 2600 do not have fill holes. So does this mean that you can't replenish the toner supply of this type of cartridge?

Sure you can! Just buy a Refill Tool from your friendly toner refill kit store and bore a hole into the cartridge to expose the toner hopper. Here's how you do just that:

   1. Plug the refill tool into an electrical outlet.
   2. Allow the tool to heat up from between 1 to 3 minutes.
   3. Position the tip of the tool against the toner cartridge.
       (manual will pinpoint location on the cartridge)
   4. Create a round hole and remove the piece of plastic formed by the tool.

Once the fill hole has been created, you can proceed with pertinent replenishment procedures using the HP 2600 toner refill kit. This is hardly complicated right?

Starter cartridges and a number of replacement toner cartridges are outfitted with a lockout chip that tracks down toner supply and consequently communicates status to the printer so that when toner can no longer be physically detected from the cartridge window, the printer is automatically locked from further printing, as programmed.

Toner supply is detected by way of built-in sensors. And so to override the Toner Out prompt and allow printing from refilled cartridges, the lockout chip should be replaced with a compatible reset chip.

Replacing the chip is so simple. (1) Simply locate the lockout chip from its slot on the rear portion of the cartridge. (2) Pull the chip from its housing and set aside (3) slide the reset chip into its place. The gold plated contact side should face the user.

The reset chip is typically bundled with purchased refill kit such as the Xerox Phaser 6360 toner refill kit or sold separately.

1. Make sure that cartridge to be refilled is in good working condition. Xerox Phaser 6250 6250n laser printer loads with the following cartridges: 106R00671 106R00675 (black); 106R00668 106R00672 (cyan); 106R00669 106R00673 (magenta); and 106R00670 106R00674 (yellow).

2. Use a well lit work area that likewise has sufficient work space. It is also recommended to conduct the refill close to a trash bin.

3. Check contents of the compatible Xerox Phaser 6250 6250n toner refill kit. Package should include a bottle of toner powder, funnel cap, toner carrier (necessary for some kits) toner wipes, latex-free hand gloves, instructional material and reset chip (necessary for some cartridges).

Opening the Toner Hopper

1. Pull out the toner cartridge from the laser printer.

2. Remove the gearless end cap as shown to access the toner fill cap. Using a small flathead screwdriver, carefully push out one side of the end cap to be able to unlock it from the first set of tabs.


3. Rotate the cartridge and disengage the third tab in the same manner.


4. Disengage the fourth tab as shown.


5. Carefully slide out the gearless end cap. Take note of the original positioning for easy reassembly.


6. Carefully insert a small flathead screwdriver between the base of the toner fill plug and its housing.


7. Lift the toner fill plug out. Be careful not to damage the plastic housing.

Refilling the Cartridge

1. Add Carrier toner to bottles of toner. Thereafter, shake the bottle well to evenly mix toner and carrier toner together.

2. Place the cartridge in a vertical position and refill with the appropriate amount of toner and then install the fill plug.


3. Reinstall colored cover at the end of the cartridge over the fill plug, just as it was earlier.

Replacing the Reset Chip

1. Using a small flathead screwdriver, press the tabs (shown on either side) to release the chip housing.



2. Unlock the chip from its housing by pressing the tabs using an angled hook tool or screwdriver.


3. Carefully lift the chip from its housing.


4. Place the new contact chip on the cartridge in the manner shown.


5. Place the housing over the chip as shown.


6. Press down until the tabs lock it into place.


Now your cartridge is ready for another cycle of printing. Load the cartridge back to the laser printer and perform test prints.

Price
Toner refill kits are indeed easy on the budget. Shop for compatibles pricing online and you'll learn that refill toners are cheaper by as much as 80% than the regular, OEM retail cartridge.

Performance
Cheap doesn't imply inferior quality in the case of toner refill kits. Manufactured with the same set of specifications (particle size, composition and gram weight) as the OEM toner, users are guaranteed of level print quality and yield from the refill toner.

Procedure
Classified under the DO-IT-YOURSELF category, refilling a toner cartridge with a toner refill kit is as easy as ABC. All it takes is the precise execution of replenishment procedures outlined with the supplied instructional manual and you can never go wrong. For one, the text is very easy to understand. Moreover, photos accompany instructions as added reference.

Remember the 3Ps and you know that you have a dependable and affordable consumable for your laser printer.

#1 Check and note cartridge part number.
Take note of the toner cartridge's part number or SKU (stock-keeping unit) and include it in your search. The black toner cartridge of an Okidata 5100 printer series would have 42127404 as its SKU.

#2 Ask about the potential yield.
Check the potential page yield of a toner refill product and compare this to the rating of an OEM toner cartridge. Using the same cartridge as illustration, the 42127404 toner cartridge can produce 5,000 pages at 5% coverage. Therefore, the Okidata toner refill kit you intend to purchase should have a more or less the same yield specification.

#3 Shop around for the best price.
Shop online for the most affordable kit; without disregard for quality and reseller consideration. A glossy type refill kit compatible with our subject cartridge that is retailed 50% below OEM pricing can already be considered as a good buy.

#4 Check the vendor's reputation.
Don't just buy from any reseller. Take some time to check the vendor's reputation as well. Transact with vendors of good standing and reliable experience in the toner cartridge remanufacturing industry. This way you can avoid the purchase of faulty consumables. Also know that legitimate vendors operate hotlines you can call for after sales inquiries and other concerns.

                              
Part Number:              ML-2010D3
OEM:                          $78.99
Compatible Cartridge:$49.95
Refill Kit:                     $8.95


                              
Part Number:              TN 360
OEM:                          $65.99
Compatible Cartridge:$36.90
Refill Kit:                     $11.95



                              
Part Number:              310-6640
OEM:                          $67.99
Compatible Cartridge:$37.13
Refill Kit:                     $8.95


                              
Part Number:              TN 350
OEM:                          $65.99
Compatible Cartridge:$34.90
Refill Kit:                     9.95


                              
Part Number:              ML-1710D3
OEM:                          $77.89
Compatible Cartridge:$41.95
Refill Kit:                     $8.95

                              
Part Number:              TN 330
OEM:                          $77.89
Compatible Cartridge:$41.95
Refill Kit:                     $8.95


                              
Part Number:              Q6000A
OEM:                          $75.95
Compatible Cartridge:$47.46
Refill Kit:                     $23.95

Part Number:              Q6001A
OEM:                          $79.95
Compatible Cartridge:$49.75
Refill Kit:                     $23.95

Part Number:              Q6002A
OEM:                          $79.95                     
Compatible Cartridge:$49.75
Refill Kit:                     $23.95

Part Number:              Q6003A
OEM:                          $79.95
Compatible Cartridge:$49.75
Refill Kit:                     $23.95



                              

Part Number:             TN 110BK
OEM:                          $62.99
Compatible Cartridge:$54.95
Refill Kit:                     $34.95

Part Number:             TN 110C
OEM:                          $73.49
Compatible Cartridge:$62.95
Refill Kit:                     $44.95

Part Number:             TN 110M
OEM:                          $73.49
Compatible Cartridge:$62.95
Refill Kit:                     $44.95

Part Number:             TN 110Y
OEM:                          $73.49
Compatible Cartridge:$62.95
Refill Kit:                     $44.95