Epson 3880

[Rob52]

Hello. My Epson 3880 has performed well since 2014 but has recently begun showing its age. The auto sheet feeder is having problems with accepting 3 1/2" x 5" photo paper and with larger photos black ink is appearing at the front corners of the prints. A quote of $ 650 for servicing plus the age of the unit mean it's time for a new printer. I need a machine to print 17" wide . It looks like a choice between the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 17"
or Epson SureColor P900 17-Inch Photo Printer. At present I'm leaning towards the Epson. Any suggestions? Thanks, Robert.

[John Nollendorfs]

You might try rubbing the feed rollers with 90% rubbing alcohol. They tend to get glazed with age and feeding lots of paper through.

[Lessbones]

The ink selector tends to go on the 3800s/3880s and it will start leaking PK ink-- I've noticed that one way to get around this is to only use the matte black channel (which you can swap with PK with refillable carts) But it's also not the most difficult thing ever to swap out.

[langier]

My 3880 has been rebuilt maybe three times, each time about $500. The first time it was the counter that tripped, the second the MK/PK valve (maybe the first time, can't remember) but with the "new and improved" head. The last time it had hit the counter once more and the printer guru said that would be the last for this printer. The printer is cleaned and some of the ink pads (not the waste tank) are replaced, a few parts are swapped out and then the general tune-up and reset of the counters.

If you can find one, the P900 seems like the best replacement with its 10 colors and no more MK/PK switching! Smaller, faster, better inks.

The P600 is the smaller version, 13", of the P900 but the ink cartridges are about half the ink at just a few dollars less than those for the P900.

I'm temped to get in line for this printer so I have a sheet-fed printer for smaller jobs rather than one-at-a-time sheets with my 9900.

Speaking of which, I've now had this printer for ten years. I bought it out of its service warrantee second-hand and though I walk away from it for weeks at a time when I travel, it's been phenomenal! I printed a nice large-format canvas job last summer and the head finally gave up. However, after talking it over with my printer guru, we decided to replace the head with the new & improved head (it ain't cheap!) and it's never worked better! Fewer cleanings needed, even after a week or two sitting idle. His estimate is that it should be good for another five years and then we both may be retired :-)

Got the money's worth out of both printers and can recommend Epson printers without hesitation though there's always been a few issues lurking for some throughout the years. They always come trough for me!
 

[Rhossydd]

As John says, cleaning the print path and rollers will often sort out any feed issues on theses printers. A print cleaning sheet is ideal, but rare these days. I've also has success with a normal sheet of paper with a light coat of spray mount left until it's touch dry, but 'tacky', and run that through. Don't try it unless it's dry or you risk gumming up it up terminally.

The ink marks can be due to the capping station and wiper for the print head becoming filthy and needing a good clean. I had this problem with my 3800 recently and it was amazing just how much muck could be cleaned off. A good friend had the same problem with his 3880 a couple of weeks before and was trying to source a new printer when I suggested he tried the same routine, it worked and his 3880 is fine now.
All you need is some Windex (or other head cleaner), a small pipette or hypodermic syringe, some cotton buds, kitchen towel and a spare twenty minutes.
This video on Youtube explains what you need to do pretty well; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKzxAm9QtWo

[Rob52]

Thanks everyone! Your help is much appreciated! Cheers, Robert

[BobShaw]

I would be selling the 3880 for what you can.
While it is working it is worth reasonable money.
I bought a P800 in a deal and I am reasonably happy with it.
I don't know about the later ones.

[Alan Goldhammer]

 My 3880 died two years ago and I looked into repairing it myself.  I decided not to because of the cost of parts and new ink.  I bought a Canon pro-1000 and have not looked back.  The paper feed is far superior to the Epson and the build quality is superb.

[Rhossydd]

I looked into repairing it myself.  I decided not to because of the cost of parts and new ink.

DIY repairs of broken parts are almost impossible as getting service manuals and replacement parts is extremely difficult.
Just giving a printer a thorough clean to restore it's performance isn't terribly difficult or demanding and there are good video tutorials to help. If a good clean doesn't work, it won't have cost much to try. It might save a thousand quid.

[Balafre]

Don't be sentimental - sell it if and while you can. I had one. UNTIL! Parts costs and availabilitys and increasing wear made mine (and yours!) a huge liability. Roller issues ruined papers, heads clogged wasting time and inks.
A 900 or 800 exceed both, and ironically the earlier 800 has larger inks and is cheaper to run, and optimised for monochrome, if that's your thing. 
I went with an 800SC, never looked back, and have never had any issues. You'll save much in the medium term, even more if you find a decent used 800.