Enquiry about printer drum (brother)

[successpositivewealth]

Hi all, in the past months, I received message in my printer to change new drum. Both times after the message, I continue using and so far ok.

I like to check is it when the message came out, it is ok to ignore?

How will we know it is really the right time to change?

Because it is not like toner, where there is ink level and you know it is running low.

Any advise is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Koenig168]

You can safely ignore the message and continue using the printer. Each drum is supposed to last for a certain number of toner cartridges but if it still works, I don't see the problem.

Take it as a reminder to buy a new drum in the meantime.

 

[redname]

depending on the design, some printers have their lazer drum build into the toner cartridge, for those u'll change it when you change the toner

for the other design, a gd time to change is when is print out is not as sharp anymore

 

[successpositivewealth]

Ok thanks both. So the message from printer is useless and we can only wait for the drum to stop working (meaning print out is not acceptable), before buying a new drum to change.

 

[redname]

Ok thanks both. So the message from printer is useless and we can only wait for the drum to stop working (meaning print out is not acceptable), before buying a new drum to change.

1 more thing to note, if your printer is those tht has the drum and toner separated, then might as well change the printer if you need to change the drum, it costs tht much

 

[successpositivewealth]

1 more thing to note, if your printer is those tht has the drum and toner separated, then might as well change the printer if you need to change the drum, it costs tht much

Agree it is separated, the drum cost $2xx, the printer after discount cost $4xx, usual price $9xx.

 

[firesong]

The laser printer drum has two types of expiry:
- Number of prints
- Length of time

Either one will trigger the need to change. So either clock the number of prints, or pass that period (I think it's 3-5y for consumer laser printers iirc)

In any case, if it's an older printer there are 3rd party drums that should work. That's the fantstic thing about laser printers - since toner doesn't really need to be brand-matched so many people buy 3rd party, especially after the nominal warranty expires.

 

[loganrunning]

In any case, if it's an older printer there are 3rd party drums that should work. That's the fantstic thing about laser printers - since toner doesn't really need to be brand-matched so many people buy 3rd party, especially after the nominal warranty expires.

good point! or can get "remanufactured" drum and/or toner cartridges.

can also alternate the toner cartridges with "refilled" ones.

Depending on the printer model, some are designed for DIY toner refill, but can be very messy for first timer

 

[successpositivewealth]

For toner, I have been using compatible toner (pirated) for quite some time, save quite some money, so far ok. For drum, there are these kind of (pirated) drum too? I searching for them but can’t seem to find. Any recommendations to buy those drum that not original, to save cost.

 

[Koenig168]

Compatible is not the same as pirated as they do not pass off as the original. You can buy the drums online through the usual platforms or inkbow.com.

As a matter of fact, I am in the market for a drum myself and have found the same on Amazon, Qoo10, inkbow etc.

 

[loganrunning]

search for "remanufactured brother laser drum"
can also specify "reconditioned" instead of "remanufactured"

same for toner cartridges.
some companies who do the toner "reconditioning" also do toner refilling.

 

[successpositivewealth]

Compatible is not the same as pirated as they do not pass off as the original. You can buy the drums online through the usual platforms or inkbow.com.

As a matter of fact, I am in the market for a drum myself and have found the same on Amazon, Qoo10, inkbow etc.

Thanks for advise. I buying compatible toner from inkbow. So far all ok...

However they dont sell compatible drum for my brother printer...

Try to google but cannot find.

Will search for other platform you advise. . Hopefully have....

 

[successpositivewealth]

search for "remanufactured brother laser drum"
can also specify "reconditioned" instead of "remanufactured"

same for toner cartridges.
some companies who do the toner "reconditioning" also do toner refilling.

Ok thanks for this advise. will do the search

 

[saddams wife]

1 more thing to note, if your printer is those tht has the drum and toner separated, then might as well change the printer if you need to change the drum, it costs tht much

Thank you bro for the tip. Tks.

 

[tsteo77]

You can safely ignore the message and continue using the printer. Each drum is supposed to last for a certain number of toner cartridges but if it still works, I don't see the problem.

Take it as a reminder to buy a new drum in the meantime.

depending on the design, some printers have their lazer drum build into the toner cartridge, for those u'll change it when you change the toner

for the other design, a gd time to change is when is print out is not as sharp anymore

Useful guide for me as i just gotten a brother all in one color laser printer.

Agree it is separated, the drum cost $2xx, the printer after discount cost $4xx, usual price $9xx.

For toner, I have been using compatible toner (pirated) for quite some time, save quite some money, so far ok. For drum, there are these kind of (pirated) drum too? I searching for them but can’t seem to find. Any recommendations to buy those drum that not original, to save cost.

You should state the model of your brother laser printer so some resourceful members might be able to find the
best deal online for you. I did a search for my all in one color laser printer drum. I can find 3rd party one, and the difference in price is $100 to $200 per set.

The laser printer drum has two types of expiry:
- Number of prints
- Length of time

Either one will trigger the need to change. So either clock the number of prints, or pass that period (I think it's 3-5y for consumer laser printers iirc)

In any case, if it's an older printer there are 3rd party drums that should work. That's the fantstic thing about laser printers - since toner doesn't really need to be brand-matched so many people buy 3rd party, especially after the nominal warranty expires.

Does drums has expire date ?

 

[firesong]

Does drums has expire date ?

From experience, yes. Even old stock drums in shops can seem to fail faster.

I've often had to replace drums in older printers that are barely used. Brother, Canon, Fuji-Xerox...

From https://www.1ink.com/blog/why-and-how-often-do-printer-drum-units-need-to-be-replaced/

It is important to remember that drum units need to be replaced every so often to maintain good print quality. Just like their toner or ink cartridge counterpart, drum units have a shelf life as well that a consumer needs to be aware of. Much of this shelf life is dependent on the environment that they are stored in.

This includes keeping them stored in their protective bags before being used. If you have an extra printer drum unit that's been stored for over two to three years, you run the risk of having it not work by the time you insert it into your printer.

 

[tsteo77]

From experience, yes. Even old stock drums in shops can seem to fail faster.

I've often had to replace drums in older printers that are barely used. Brother, Canon, Fuji-Xerox...

From https://www.1ink.com/blog/why-and-how-often-do-printer-drum-units-need-to-be-replaced/

Thanks for the infos. BTW, are you in the printer business since you replace drums often ?

 

[firesong]

Thanks for the infos. BTW, are you in the printer business since you replace drums often ?

Office printers, home printer, and some family and friends' places/small offices that I used to help manage their IT inventory of?

I've been using a laser printer at home for about 30 years now. So even with light usage - sometimes no usage across months, the drum still dies fairly "regularly". Am on my 4th laser printer now.

The problem these days isn't the drum though - it's the really crappy material they use for the printers and the breakdown rate of the electronics. My older printers, even the Brother and FX ones I remember being particularly long-lasting, used to last longer and be more durable. Back then remanufactured drums were harder to get, though we could refill our own toner cartridges. Now everything is also chip-defined. The shortest lasting was a Canon that was just before my current (also a Canon that I got really cheaply) - plastic hinges broke so often that I gave up replacing it after other plastic parts started to break.