One Year of servicing Konica Minolta 1200 PRO, Should you do it?

Should you consider fixing your digital printer? The good and the bad is discussed in this video. This relates to Konica Minolta machines, not sure how Xerox, Canon and other digital presses are.

[@vman3224]

You know, I have been doing the same things in my small printing shop. Though my equipment is different but I learned to fix it myself and save not just money, but what is more precious- time. What takes me 15 minutes to fix - it is several days in the service. So after several years in this business I have come to the same conclusions. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@justaprinter]

Good to hear that others are thinking the same way I am!

[@audiomedia4856]

Thanks for sharing your experience, i have a problem with my printer it's consum a lot développer can you help me thinks un advance

[@oliveryu9105]

Very informative video Sir. Been servicing KM/Develop machines for 7 years. As long as those units are well maintained, they're good.

[@jacobosanteliz1828]

De echo todo equipo es bueno dándole el servicio a tiempo y instalar refacciones originales.

[@justaprinter]

Thats what I'm hoping. Eager to see how long it will run and what is going to make me stop running it. I'd bet parts availability.

[@salahal-dintalhami9224]

I am a fan of your channel for some time now, and first, thank you for letting us learn about your business and what it takes. I am a designer and also work in a factory making paper supplies for schools and offices. We buy paper in large rolls from manufactures around the world and I was a bit shocked when you said paper prices have not changed much. Our cost on paper nearly doubled in the last year. So I am sure that paper costs will most likely go up for you too, just a warning. Keep up the great work.

[@justaprinter]

Yes, I was assuming that large paper increases are on their way. Once current inventories are sold off. Debating if I should stock up now....

[@salahal-dintalhami9224]

@@justaprinter, We stocked up last year, and when it came time to reorder we don't see any choice but to buy at the higher price. Maybe just prices on your size in case there is a jump in cost.

[@1982mako224]

You're obviously mechanically skilled. You've gotten lucky though so far. Hopefully your luck continues. So far all you have done are the most basic consumable replacements, a lamp and a dirty sensor. You obviously haven't encountered a serious break down.........yet. A tricky image quality problem or an intermittent jam or skew may take an inexperienced person with no manufacturer level tech support days or weeks to figure out or you will wind up throwing parts at it in hopes of getting it fixed. Then there are the major things that can and will break. Single parts can be over $1,000 on these machines and in the case of a board you could replace a $1,000 board only to instantly destroy the new $1,000 board if you didn't find the underlying issue that blew the first board. The service plan on your vital piece of equipment isn't just about maintaining the basics as you've done so far......its an insurance policy for when those bigger problems arise. Then there is the time factor of you not being productive while you troubleshoot your own machine. Best of luck. Industry vet out.

[@justaprinter]

Wise words for sure. Yes, board replacements will likely deem my machine a boat anchor. For me, the money I'm saving will be enough to buy another machine when that happens.

[@produceking71]

I rally enjoy your content an get excited every time you post.

[@justaprinter]

I enjoy posting too, I have not had time to edit lately, thats why its been awhile.

[@PatrickDKing]

I'll be here 3 years from now when you hit 30 million....well, unless I fall off the ladder today trimming my cedar tree lol. That's awesome that you are doing your own service, it lets the machines reach their full potential and keeps less materials out of landfills. Maintenance contracts kind of piss me off in that often it's seen or the idea is pushed on the customer that it would be too costly to renew a maintenance contract so they'd rather lease you a new machine. That's how you get so many underused machines on the secondary market.

[@justaprinter]

I couldn't have said it better. 100% agree. I don't want to be a "throw away" American. Good luck with the tree. Trees and ladders can be tricky!

[@PatrickDKing]

@@justaprinter lol thanks. made it off the ladder safely.

[@diegohartwig1505]

Thanks for your video, it help us to know how we could do some jobs and replacements! I’m Brazilian printer and watch your video always! Have a nice job 👍

[@justaprinter]

Awesome. Yes, most people who are patient can do service theirself.

[@burimch3]

We on our shop do the service ourselves but we also do and sell machines to other companies, also service them so if you do this job with passion it’s no problem at all

[@justaprinter]

Awesome! It can be stressful but it fun and rewarding most times!

[@rotkivkiv]

Watching your videos from Russia. I have same business. Very interesting & cool videos!

[@justaprinter]

Thanks for watching!

[@miketheprintman]

That comment about the paper price is true, and scary. I keep getting updates from our vendors about price increases coming. Also our main envelope manufacturer keeps telling us 4-6 weeks now for delivery. It was usually 2-3 weeks.

[@justaprinter]

Yup, 4x paper prices would put me out of business.

[@briandalton427]

I just got notified that my supplier is rationing paper. And my supplier may not have konica toner until November or possibly the 1st or 2nd quarter of next year. Scary stuff. What I'm allowed to buy for a month could last me for 20 orders or 1 order. I'm having to cut tradebooks out of what I offer until the toner ans paper supply chain recover. It's nuts out there right now.

[@lukabegu8376]

Working at KM, this machine is a tank Railway company got the first génération.... gone at 17 000 000 copies....

[@fadelaladraj3175]

Thank for the value information you deployed, I agree to say do own machin service is more fun reduce cost 😀

[@justaprinter]

Definitely reduces costs for sure!

[@csliao3]

I am RICOH Pro 8200、8300 、Pro C9100 Copiers and Printers for Production Printing Maintenance engineer。 It is a good machine, you can refer to it

[@justaprinter]

I have heard several people praise them. I bet they are good!

[@tonerduckpin]

The toner situation with konica minolta will be getting worse, currently over 60 ships anchored off Long Beach. Konica Minolta I believe still offers the (ORU), operator replaceable units Program. It requires the purchase of most of the items you have on the shelf plus two days of training on how to install. I agree with starting out with monochrome copiers, especially if they are obsolete. I still have about 5 1200's out there still running. I have a KonicaMinolta 1250 with 55 million on it, still runs 50K a day six days a week. 30 million should be achieved if you take care of it.

[@justaprinter]

Good to hear that I can achieve 30 million. I think I might stock up on more toner....

[@useruser-jv3vm]

@@justaprinter Just wondering, it isn't possible to go with good brand compatible toner or refill them?

[@markmiwurdz202]

@tonerduckpin. I read that Konica Minolta had a fire/explosion at their toner production plant. Apparently, it went "KabooM"!!!

[@1982mako224]

@@useruser-jv3vm Aftermarket toner is a huge gamble even from the "good brands". If your aftermarket "compatible" toner contaminates your developer you've just cost yourself a boat load of money in your effort to save just a few dollars. We've experimented with it and its not worth the risk.

[@straightpipediesel]

@@useruser-jv3vm The more expensive the printer/press, the less toner costs per page which makes any savings not worth it. The toner here is about $100 for 120,000 pages. One is that toner is just toner in these machines. In consumer printers, you're changing the toner, drum, developer, developer rollers, cleaning blade, charge rollers/corona wires, seals and waste bin in one go. The typical home user isn't going to know how to deal with these things, so you throw them all away every time the toner runs out, whether it's needed or not. Second is that the business model is less the razor blades model that consumer printers run under; you pay far more for the unit new. They know that the businesses that buy these things make careful analysis of the capital costs and amortization (or they hand it off under a lease and service contract), so they're not tricked by the fact the printer costs $49.99 without realizing it needs $1.50 per page in ink.

[@ardakyediluly9794]

Good day friend! great work and reviews! crisp and clear. Can you show what tools you use to repair Konik Minolta? Screwdriver, wire cutter, napkins, liquids, etc.

[@justaprinter]

Its really just waht I mentioned in this video. Screwdrive and pliers. I do also use lint free cloths and alcohol.

[@RobbieDigglers3rdEye]

Mac Papers by me has been out of so much Tango and Futura stock’s it’s crazy! I couldn’t even get a carton of 100lb gl txt in futura or blazer last week. I have a ricoh c7210x with plockmatic and main parts have been ok so far but some of the smaller parts are backordered. 5th station toner went up just a tad…

[@yrikk]

hi Robbie, need your advice. I recently got C7100X and intend to service it myself, but where do you get the parts? please share your sources. thanks!

[@RobbieDigglers3rdEye]

@@yrikk i have a service plan. It doesn’t make sense for me to start fixing it yet myself. My ricoh tech is amazing. Enjoy the machine! It’s wonderful and is a workhorse.

[@justaprinter]

Yes, Tango has been out of stock a few times this past year. Some just came in stock and I ordered a half pallet to stock up. I have noticed my paper supplier is running low on several papers. I'm stocking up!

[@hgpsale7605]

You r a champ ur advice really inspire me

[@justaprinter]

Good to hear!

[@soundoffaithministries]

I am curious I know you recently got a C3080 and wondering if you service that as well or do you have a contract since it is a newer machines, and if you do have a contract would you prefer now to do it yourself? Also a fan of your channel lot of information.

[@justaprinter]

I service the used 3070 machine myself. Both ways have pros and cons for sure.

[@philanderson1200]

I just replaced the hard drive and the operating system in the print controller on my Accurio 2060. Tried just reinstalling the operating system on the original hard drive but that was just a bandaid that lasted a couple weeks. I see toner and paper is taking a little longer to get here.

[@justaprinter]

Nice! I have not had to replace HDD's on a controller yet. Hopefully consumable scarcity is not the new normal.

[@nambinintsoam.2008]

Hello! Thank you for your video. Always enjoy your content. Do you think buying a 1200 is still worth it? Or go for a newer machine like 1100 or 1052 ?

[@justaprinter]

I'd suggest a newer machine because parts for the 1200 will become unavailable sooner than the newer machines. Of course if the price is really low on an older machine it might be worth it.

[@zijinzhang20]

I always service my machines myself

[@justaprinter]

Good choice!

[@stephanelongpre1111]

Hello from Canada, love your show. Why do you buy your parts from EBay or other online shops? Is it much cheaper than buying it directly from your Konica Minolta dealer?

[@justaprinter]

I haven't tried to buy parts from my Konica dealer. If I buy toner from them it was a lot more expensive.

[@stephanelongpre1111]

@@justaprinter Here in Montréal, companies opt more for leasing, including a service package, so I don’t need to worry about learning about the super technical parts, etc… But I must say that you really impress me with all your knowledge of the machines. For me, I wouldn’t have time to learn because I prefer to focus my attention on the production and sales part of the business. But like you said, it’s a personal thing. I’ve always wondered how do you get your business? Do you handle sales as well? Congratulations on your show and on the cleanliness of your print shop, it’s remarkable! Best regards, Stephan

[@nico8273]

Do you recommend any of the lesser/least expensive konica machines? Im starting a small business and speed is not as important as color quality/reliability. Or do you say its best to go for an older press model rather than a newer bizhub kinda model ? I wouldnt be printing that much in a month

[@justaprinter]

Many people have told me that have had good luck with the Konica office copiers. I only know the production machines.

[@givilpasser]

Take a look to Canon imagepress!

[@yudhabimo]

How do you check for parts quality when it first arrived on hand? Because what I found, sometimes a new unopened part are not up to standard (small defects, scratches, sticky blanket, etc).

[@csliao3]

Take photos, take photos, leave evidence

[@justaprinter]

I never have problems when I buy OEM from a reputable parts dealer. But I do have issues with ebay sellers sometimes. Someone just sent me a used cleaning blade the other week!

[@ttms]

I'll stick with my service contract 🙂

[@justaprinter]

Certainly easier to outsource it.

[@vadimmorenko4169]

Have you ever had a situation when km freezes after start? No errors just hangs during controller initialisation. KM tech says nvram is faulty. Can’t run my business for almost 4 weeks already :(

[@neotroncs]

Is it givving you a trouble code before or after the freeze?

[@justaprinter]

I never had that happen, but that sounds like it could be it.

[@vadimmorenko4169]

@@neotroncs unfortunately not. Just a freeze.

[@vadimmorenko4169]

@@justaprinter nvram is going to be shipped directly from Japan. Konica is really nuts about click counters, can’t just buy it as a spare part.

[@neotroncs]

@@vadimmorenko4169 Have you updated firmware? Also what machine do you have?

[@numberoneprinting6208]

wow 🙂

[@justaprinter]

Thanks for watching!

[@kamrulislam1651]

Nice ❤️

[@justaprinter]

I think so too!

[@aljames171]

Where do you purchase your paper from? I would like to purchase some high quality paper

[@justaprinter]

I buy most of my paper from lindenmeyr munroe

[@OriginalScuddy]

Your giving away all the secrets…

[@justaprinter]

LOL, this is only one of many secrets. :)

[@audiomedia4856]

@ Just A Printer @ Can someone help me, my printer konica minolta c1060l consum a lot of developper, it's a new printer with almost 250 000 copy, i am sure that my problem is is system configuration, please help me

[@luisenriquemelzer6124]

When developer is being consumed in my machine i found the problem was my primary band not being perfectly flat/aligned, so use a flat surface while reasembly an check it to be flat, but my machine is other brand so it can be diferent problem for you

[@audiomedia4856]

@@luisenriquemelzer6124 thanks a lot for your answer, what would you say by primary band is it a intermediate transfert unit??? if its this i think it's a new part maybe his configuration on machine???

[@justaprinter]

Sorry, I have not had this issue. I don't know what to tell you.