HP LaserJet 5L printer

[Rottie]

I saw someone took it outside on the sidewake for free.. I don't know it it is any good. I know it is old laser printer..about 6 or 7 year old (I checked on google search). Is it worth?

 

[beatle]

The person probably could have thrown it out of a vehicle and it would still work fine. Those old Laserjets are tanks. They're not worth much, but they're reliable. They're nice if you have the space and no need to print color.

 

[Griffinhart]

Well, it took 10 years for my HP 4L to have any issues. But, I've seen some issues with 5 and 6L's. Usually, the problem isn't with the actual printing but in the paper feeding. If the printer is functional, the quality of the printing should still be Excellent. 600dpi on the 5L and later. The speed is slow by today's standard, but, certainly plenty fast for your average use.

My Dad has a 6L, which shares the same form as the 5L. The problem that has developed for him is that the paper feed is messed up. It doesn't draw in a single sheet at a time, but has the tendance to pull in 3 or 4 at once causeing paper jams. We need to babysit the printer when we use it to prevent it. I will mention that he RARELY uses it. I think he prints 20ish pages a YEAR, so, I think that has something to do with it.

If it's a working printer, It's definately worth using. Especially if it doesn't have the paper feed problem my Dad has. They only reason I replaced my 4L was because it wasn't economical to repair it and replace the toner cart (which was due). I ended up buying an HP 1012 for $150.

 

[shortylickens]

My pop also had many HP's for work and play.
He had a 4L, 5L and 6L throughout his time at the company.
The 4L was at home and we kept it forever.
I agree they were built like tanks back then, but I still dont trust anything mechanical unless its new, with a warrenty.
I honestly believe that HP is like the car industry. When they found out they made it too well, they started to screw up on purpose. Just to get people to buy a new product more frequently.
I have had the LJ-1000 for a while and its never made me mad.

 

[Rottie]

you guys probably right cuz I noticed the paper got stuck on the feeding mech when they threw it away.

 

[Agamar]

The 5L and 6L series had a serious problem with paper jams once they got old. I think HP offered a free kit at one time that would replace the pads used to grab the paper because of this. Of course, that was ~2 years ago.

 

[Steve]

The LJ5s are the most problematic in our office and we are systematically retiring them. The problem is often paper jams.

 

[jrw558]

I have repaired a number of these printers using this web site. Its the paper feed and jam problem. You need to see the tutorial before ripping open the printer. The separation pads are pretty deep into the mechanism. I've had good success following his instruction.

This guy does a great job solving many on the printer curses.

http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/kits/hp/K30

 

[Rottie]

last weekend I decided to took the old paper out of paper feed and try to print it, the printout is very good and it printed one sheet a time no problem so I think I will keep it for a while.