CFOG's PIP, June 1988, Volume 7 No. 4, Whole No. 66, page 55

A Warning to 24 pin Printer Users

by Bob Lay

At the West Coast Computer Faire I heard two 'horror stories' associated with the same problem in using 24 pin dot matrix printers, if you use one, please take note.

If you're the impatient type who occasionally rips off your printer's output while it's still printing, as many of us are wont to do when printing drafts, don't do it with a 24 pin printer. It seems the printer wires are so fine, and thus so sharp, that the motion of pulling the paper underneath when they are still firing can causes them to snag in the paper, then bend slightly when you pull on the paper while tearing it off The result? You get to buy a new print head at approximately $200(!) for your $350 24 pin printer.

Also, be extremely wary of using any ribbons other than the OEM models made for your printer. Again, the wires are so fine that they tend to shred a less hardy (read cheaper after-market) version and the bits and shards of ribbon material can quickly pack the printer head, bend a wire, and ouch, there goes another $200.