Apple Imagewriter II Restoration

[eraser]

This is a very interesting (and timely) discussion since I am working on an ImageWriter II as well.

While Apple never wrote color drivers for the ImageWriter II, at least one third party developer did.  The one I am familiar with is MacPalette II and it will allow you to print in full color from a Mac.

There are 3 versions of the ImageWriter II.  I am guessing you have the second (1986) version.  The last version (1990) is MUCH more streamlined internally and considerably easier to take apart.  A couple days ago I took apart a 1986 version and then a 1990 version.  The 1990 version is so much more beautifully modular.  

 

[olePigeon]

Thats good because I dont know C. lol. I am a BASIC guy. Well, the modern forms of it. I dont know too much about the older forms as it was slightly different than what I am used to, today. 

10 PRINT "HELLO!"

20 GOTO 10

RUN

HELLO!

HELLO!

HELLO!

HELLO!

HELLO!

HELLO!

HELLO!

HELLO!

 

[techknight]

Lol. Basic today isnt like that anymore.

 

[IPalindromeI]

It's closer to C# without semicolons, and most people like to pretend it doesn't exist anymore.

 

[mori512k]

I've been looking for someone that can fix these things.

I have 2 and would like to get one working out of them. The problem has been a pin not firing. Replacing the head did not fix the problem. If any one in the SF Bay Area would be great as these things weigh a ton and shipping them would be prohibitive.

 

[MacFox]

Never thought a printer would have capacitor leakage.  Learn something new everyday.

 

[MacintoshMan1999]

So.. No love for the IW II then? I see.... 

Well only reason why I want to restore it, because I still have the original box. Plus I dunno, I just have a liking to that printer. Sure its a slow-ass dot-matrix, but they are awesome for banners!

Imagewriter II's are pretty robust I'd say

 

[LaPorta]

This is a pretty cool thread. TechKnight, I have my family's ImageWriter II at home that I would to keep in working order. It functions fine now, no issues, except the rollers/motor for the drive belt get stuck unless I manually move them first...need lube I am sure of some kind? How in the world did you actually take yours apart? I'm afraid that if I took it apart, I'd forget how to get it back together!

 

[superjer2000]

This is a very interesting (and timely) discussion since I am working on an ImageWriter II as well.

While Apple never wrote color drivers for the ImageWriter II, at least one third party developer did.  The one I am familiar with is MacPalette II and it will allow you to print in full color from a Mac.

There are 3 versions of the ImageWriter II.  I am guessing you have the second (1986) version.  The last version (1990) is MUCH more streamlined internally and considerably easier to take apart.  A couple days ago I took apart a 1986 version and then a 1990 version.  The 1990 version is so much more beautifully modular.  

Resurrecting an old thread...  @eraser or anyone else that has taken apart a newer ImageWriter II - I would like to recap one of mine which is what I believe to be a newer version with a one piece case.  The service manuals I have found indicate that to pull the PSU/Driver board you unscrew and remove the two bottom legs and can then remove the bottom case.  The version I have doesn't seem to have removable legs.

I would like to take this unit apart without breaking anything or pulling apart more than I need to - Has anybody come across a newer service manual or has some advice on how to take the newer models apart?

 

[superjer2000]

I pulled the unit apart... pretty slick actually. 6 screws and the entire assembly lifts out of the way.  Going to order caps and get to work. 

 

[macman142]

My secondary Apple collection obsession is Apple printers so this thread interests me. I had recently been considering the possibility these printers would need re-capping to be functional again, and here we are.

I have ImageWriters, StyleWriters and LaserWriters of various models, but I would love to have a functional ImageWriter II again.

superjar2000 I'm really keen to hear how you get on with yours. And thanks techknight for this thread and your info!

 

[beachycove]

My secondary Apple collection obsession is Apple printers so this thread interests me. I had recently been considering the possibility these printers would need re-capping to be functional again, and here we are.

I have ImageWriters, StyleWriters and LaserWriters of various models, but I would love to have a functional ImageWriter II again.

superjar2000 I'm really keen to hear how you get on with yours. And thanks techknight for this thread and your info!

A fellow traveller! We are a rare and exotic species.

I have an ImageWriter II, a StyleWriter II and a 2200, and then a selection of lasers: 2x Laserweriter Pro 630s, Laserwriter 4/600, LaserWriter 12/640, and 2 x LaserWriter 8500s, with an extra sheet feeder for A3 and the envelope tray -- just because an 8500 isn't big enough on its own. Ho ho.

Then I have a couple of Xerox solid ink printers, and a Laserjet 4m Plus with duplexer.

God, that sounds sad. Anyone want one of the spares?

 

[pcamen]

I decided some 10 years ago to collect a bunch of Laserwriter and Laserwriter Plus units.  I also bought out Herb's stock of replacement parts for those, like 4 good size boxes.  I've been lugging all this crap around for 10 years through like 10 moves.  Each one of those babies is 75 lbs. 

@jeremywork offered to give me a hand trying to restore them.  It's part of a long list of restoration projects.  Add to that a bunch of Imagewriter 1's and II's, and a few of the original dot matrix printers, one of which I had with my family's Apple II+. 

I've got two Brother daisy wheel printers too.  I was always intrigued by those.

I think printing is one of the "killer apps" that comes to mind when I think about playing with the vintage Mac's. 

 

[Byrd]

I think printing is one of the "killer apps" that comes to mind when I think about playing with the vintage Mac's. 

I agree, most Apple printers were good pieces of kit, and coupling a functional one with your vintage Mac is a nice effort in building up a period era vintage Mac.

 

[LaPorta]

Pieces of kit?

The one StyleWriter is a Color2200, the portable one, and a few unopened ink tanks. I need to get that thing back in action.

 

[IlikeTech]

I have a working StyleWriter 2200.  I got the printhead flowing again by ultrasonic cleaning it.

 

[beachycove]

Stylewriter 2200 ink tanks are really, really easy to refill. You just refill the sponge which is exposed on the bottom. If only inkjet cartridges were still made that way.

One of the other good things about the SW2200 for our purposes is that Newtons work well with it.

 

[LaPorta]

I have a working StyleWriter 2200.  I got the printhead flowing again by ultrasonic cleaning it.

I will have to ask you regarding how you did that when I work on it some day. Also love the black serial cable that comes with it.

 

[Scott Baret]

Could Ultrasonic work on a StyleWriter I? I've got one that won't print from any cartridge.

 

[IlikeTech]

Maybe, what kind of print engine does it use?  The 2200 is a Canon Bubblejet cartridge