Hello,
   I just got a 1520 plotter for my collection. Everything with it is
fine, but the pens, that are dry. Does anybody know where I can find
replacements? There's any other way to fill in the pens with fresh
ink? Thanks in advance.

         Regards,
         Rodolfo Leal

On 13 Oct 2003 11:35:12 -0700, cpuloyal@uymail.com (Rodolfo Leal)
typed:

>Hello,
>   I just got a 1520 plotter for my collection. Everything with it is
>fine, but the pens, that are dry. Does anybody know where I can find
>replacements? There's any other way to fill in the pens with fresh
>ink? Thanks in advance.

The last time I got them, it was through Radio Shack.  A Tandy brand
plotter (CGP-115) used the same ink pens and paper (I wonder if CGP-115
and VIC-1520 used the same mechansim).  You will have to order them
special as they are obsolete equipment and parts.

(copied and pasted from an old usenet posting circa 1996)

               old       new
Black pens   #26-1480, 10274850    (3 black pens)
Coloured     #26-1481, 10274868    (1 red, 1 blue, 1 green)
15# paper    #26-1428, 10274827    (3 rolls, 4.5" X 150' register bond) 

I'm not even sure if the part # is still valid or if they are still
carried somewhere, I couldn't find any at Radio Shack web site.  The
paper can probably be any 4.5" as long as the core hole is not too small
to fit the holder.

If the 1520 has any fault, it's the one gear's tendacy to break.  A gear
on the motor shaft on the left side of the printer that controls the
printer head tended to break and could cause the printer head to move
badly or even jam along the X axis.
-- 
space for rent.
To reply, change digi.mon to tds.net

Impmon wrote:
> 
> On 13 Oct 2003 11:35:12 -0700, cpuloyal@uymail.com (Rodolfo Leal)
> typed:
> 
> >Hello,
> >   I just got a 1520 plotter for my collection. Everything with it is
> >fine, but the pens, that are dry. Does anybody know where I can find
> >replacements? There's any other way to fill in the pens with fresh
> >ink? Thanks in advance.
> 
> The last time I got them, it was through Radio Shack.  A Tandy brand
> plotter (CGP-115) used the same ink pens and paper (I wonder if CGP-115
> and VIC-1520 used the same mechansim).  You will have to order them
> special as they are obsolete equipment and parts.
> 
The Radio Shack GCP-115 and the Atari 1020 printer *both* used
a plotter mechanism built by ALPS. I am *not* sure if this is the
same as the VIC-1520, but I would *not* be surprised.
> 
> If the 1520 has any fault, it's the one gear's tendacy to break.  A gear
> on the motor shaft on the left side of the printer that controls the
> printer head tended to break and could cause the printer head to move
> badly or even jam along the X axis.
>
The same with the RS and Atari printers...but you can open it up
and glue the gears back together...

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
|   Charles and Francis Richmond     richmond at plano dot net   |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

Impmon <Impmon@digi.mon> wrote in message news:
> The last time I got them, it was through Radio Shack.
Well, I'll go with the part numers and ask for them. I wonder if Radio
Shack's mexican brand work as its american counterpart?
The plotter works ok so far. I found that the black pen still has ink
in it. I made a few tests and the gears seem to be in good shape.
Thanks for your help.

         Regards,
         Rodolfo Leal

cpuloyal@uymail.com (Rodolfo Leal) wrote in message news:<d8d8fcb5.0310141652.7596e96@posting.google.com>...
> Impmon <Impmon@digi.mon> wrote in message news:
> > The last time I got them, it was through Radio Shack.
> Well, I'll go with the part numers and ask for them. I wonder if Radio
> Shack's mexican brand work as its american counterpart?

Well, bad news. After going to the local Radio Shack store, I found
that they don't have the pens or the paper rolls any longer on their
database. Any other way to find replacements? Thanks again.

               Regards,
               Rodolfo Leal

Rodolfo Leal wrote ...

>Well, bad news. After going to the local Radio Shack store, I found
>that they don't have the pens or the paper rolls any longer on their
>database. Any other way to find replacements? Thanks again.

In the last couple of years there have been several threads about where to
find replacement plotter pens on this newsgroup.  You may be able to find
what you are looking for in the Google archives.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Best regards,

Sam Gillett aka Mars Probe @ Starship Intrepid 1-972-221-4088

"Sam Gillett" <samgillett@msn.com> wrote in message news:<EkWnb.16555$%e3.2603@nwrddc03.gnilink.net>...
> In the last couple of years there have been several threads about where to
> find replacement plotter pens on this newsgroup.  You may be able to find
> what you are looking for in the Google archives.

Thanks Sam. I already googled and every message points toward the info
that Impmon gave me. Will see if they appear at Ebay.

         Regards,
         Rodolfo Leal

On 31 Oct 2003 09:50:53 -0800, cpuloyal@uymail.com (Rodolfo Leal)
typed:

>Thanks Sam. I already googled and every message points toward the info
>that Impmon gave me. Will see if they appear at Ebay.

If I remember correctly, I think I still have the empty package of the
color pens with original number on it inside a 1520 printer box.  I
could take it to a local rat shack and see if they actually "have
answers".  I do know I have a couple unused rolls.

Still haven't found the manual BTW.
-- 
space for rent.
To reply, change digi.mon to tds.net

Impmon <Impmon@digi.mon> wrote in message news:
> I could take it to a local rat shack and see if they actually "have
> answers".  I do know I have a couple unused rolls.

Thanks Impmon. If you find some, let me know. Maybe we can arrange
something.

> Still haven't found the manual BTW.

I can help you here. The one that I bought came with the manual. I can
scan it and send it to you, if you like it.

         Regards,
         Rodolfo Leal

Rodolfo,

Any chance I can get a copy of this from you as well?

Thanks!

Jeff  (jeff *at* jer333.c0m)



>
> I can help you here. The one that I bought came with the manual. I can
> scan it and send it to you, if you like it.
>
>          Regards,
>          Rodolfo Leal




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"Jeff Ledger" <jeff@nospam.com> wrote in message news:<3fa3fc2e$1_3@corp.newsgroups.com>...
> Rodolfo,
> 
> Any chance I can get a copy of this from you as well?

Jeff,
   Sure. No problem. Just let me scan the manual.

         Regards,
         Rodolfo Leal

> > Rodolfo,
> >
> > Any chance I can get a copy of this from you as well?
>
> Jeff,
>    Sure. No problem. Just let me scan the manual.

I would appreciate having a copy too, may be it is a good idea to put it
on a website? I do have a few megabyte of webspace available.

--
Peter van Merkerk
peter.van.merkerk(at)dse.nl

I have scanned in the 1520 manual into .jpg's .Its available here
http://www.members.shaw.ca/commodore64/Commodore%20Programs/Drivers/1520Plot
ter Manual.zip  . Its about 5MB and is all .jpg's.  It might not be on my
ftp for long so grab it as soon as you can.

Leo


--

Im looking for Commodore Cartridges! Got any? Check out my tradelist
& Gameboy Advance items for sale at http://www.commodore64.allhell.com

"Peter van Merkerk" <merkerk@deadspam.com> wrote in message
news:bo80cf$1aosj9$1@ID-133164.news.uni-berlin.de...
> > > Rodolfo,
> > >
> > > Any chance I can get a copy of this from you as well?
> >
> > Jeff,
> >    Sure. No problem. Just let me scan the manual.
>
> I would appreciate having a copy too, may be it is a good idea to put it
> on a website? I do have a few megabyte of webspace available.
>
> --
> Peter van Merkerk
> peter.van.merkerk(at)dse.nl
>
>

"Leo" <commodore128@hotmailspamcentral.com> wrote in message
news:VFRpb.290293$6C4.257332@pd7tw1no...
> I have scanned in the 1520 manual into .jpg's .Its available here
>
http://www.members.shaw.ca/commodore64/Commodore%20Programs/Drivers/1520Plot
> ter Manual.zip  . Its about 5MB and is all .jpg's.  It might not be on my
> ftp for long so grab it as soon as you can.

Thanks Leo, nice work!
I have converted the .jpg's to gif's and put it on a website:
http://1520.flappie.nl . It will stay there for the foreseeable future. The
reason for converting the jpeg images to the gif format, is that the gif
format is more efficient for line-art and b&w text; the complete manual in
gif format only takes about 1.1 MB.

--
Peter van Merkerk
peter.van.merkerk(at)dse.nl

> Thanks Leo, nice work!
> I have converted the .jpg's to gif's and put it on a website:
> http://1520.flappie.nl . It will stay there for the foreseeable future.
The
> reason for converting the jpeg images to the gif format, is that the gif
> format is more efficient for line-art and b&w text; the complete manual in
> gif format only takes about 1.1 MB.


Fantastic!  Both of you!

Peter, if you don't mind, I'm going to post a link from Petscii to you.
This manual is not posted ANYWHERE else, and it's a good resource
to have online.

BTW:  I just lucked out...  Bought three packs of pens (2 of them unopened)
for $12.00 --Lucky break!

Jeff (Aka Oldbitcollector)






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> The Radio Shack GCP-115 and the Atari 1020 printer *both* used
> a plotter mechanism built by ALPS. I am *not* sure if this is the
> same as the VIC-1520, but I would *not* be surprised.

It is. I have a VIC-1520 and 2 CGP-115's, one in each color. All have
the same problem: the paper advance gear is split. Anyone know where
to get replacements? I've heard it's a common problem.

Check CoCo and Atari dealers for pens.

"Peter van Merkerk" <merkerk@deadspam.com> wrote in message
news:boelko$1di0io$1@ID-133164.news.uni-berlin.de...
> "Leo" <commodore128@hotmailspamcentral.com> wrote in message
> news:VFRpb.290293$6C4.257332@pd7tw1no...
> > I have scanned in the 1520 manual into .jpg's .Its available here
> >
>
http://www.members.shaw.ca/commodore64/Commodore%20Programs/Drivers/1520Plot
> > ter Manual.zip  . Its about 5MB and is all .jpg's.  It might not be on
my
> > ftp for long so grab it as soon as you can.
>
> Thanks Leo, nice work!
> I have converted the .jpg's to gif's and put it on a website:
> http://1520.flappie.nl . It will stay there for the foreseeable future.
The
> reason for converting the jpeg images to the gif format, is that the gif
> format is more efficient for line-art and b&w text; the complete manual in
> gif format only takes about 1.1 MB.
>

 Your welcome and thank you too, Peter. Thanks to your nice work of
converting and significantly decreasing the file size, I dloaded your
version and will be leaving the plotter manual on my ftp. A good lesson
learned for me too when it comes to scanning.

Leo
--

Im looking for Commodore Cartridges! Got any? Check out my tradelist
& Gameboy Advance items for sale at http://www.commodore64.allhell.com

"Jeff Ledger" <jeff@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:3faaf14f_3@corp.newsgroups.com...
>
> BTW:  I just lucked out...  Bought three packs of pens (2 of them
unopened)
> for $12.00 --Lucky break!
>
> Jeff (Aka Oldbitcollector)
>
>

  Well dont tell us where you got them! Keep the horde for yourself for
shits sake! :)  Kidding of course. Is there any left to buy?? I remember
back when paxtron was open for business on the web they had a blow out of
pens for a buck a pack of 4. I wanted to get like 10 of each but when they
quoted me $12 for shipping I told them to keep them. I guess I should have
just bit the bullet .20/20 hindsight. I bugged scott at centsible many a
times when he bought out paxtron to see if he came across them in his
aquisition but to no avail. I can refill the pens though and it actually
works very good. So no matter what you do ,dont throw out your old pens as
they can be refilled if you ever get desperate. I guess alot of industries
still use these pens for graph machines and such and the stocks just keep
getting more and more depleted to the point where they wont be found
anymore.Awhile back, a person in this group asked for the dimensions of a
pen so I carefully measured a pen of mine with a vernier caliper and sent
him a diagram in the hope that maybe he had an ace up his sleeve. Never did
hear back from him. Oh well.

Leo
--

Im looking for Commodore Cartridges! Got any? Check out my tradelist
& Gameboy Advance items for sale at http://www.commodore64.allhell.com

> > Thanks Leo, nice work!
> > I have converted the .jpg's to gif's and put it on a website:
> > http://1520.flappie.nl . It will stay there for the foreseeable
future.
> The
> > reason for converting the jpeg images to the gif format, is that the
gif
> > format is more efficient for line-art and b&w text; the complete
manual in
> > gif format only takes about 1.1 MB.
>
> Fantastic!  Both of you!
>
> Peter, if you don't mind, I'm going to post a link from Petscii to
you.

Not all, please do!

> This manual is not posted ANYWHERE else, and it's a good resource
> to have online.
>
> BTW:  I just lucked out...  Bought three packs of pens (2 of them
unopened)
> for $12.00 --Lucky break!

Lucky you! The last time I got pens for this baby was in 1991 during an
holiday job at an Atari service centre. I saw an Atari plotter and
noticed it had exactly the same mechanism... Fortunately they still had
pens for it, but even at that time those pens were hard to find. I still
have those pens, I just need to figure out a way to refill them.

--
Peter van Merkerk
peter.van.merkerk(at)dse.nl

>   Well dont tell us where you got them! Keep the horde for yourself for
> shits sake! :)  Kidding of course. Is there any left to buy?? 

Sorry, one time find... Ebay listing for an Atari plotter.
I told him to keep the plotter and ship the pens. :)  I might
be sorry I did that later if the gears starting breaking, but
it looks like 1520's are still pentiful enough for now on Ebay.

Jeff (Aka Oldbitcollector)

I posted a link to an on-line catalog about six months ago, from a company
that sells surplus equipment, that listed brand new plotter pens. I no
longer have the link handy, but, if you can search the archive of this group
(wherever it may be) you will find the store. I found the store using an
advanced yahoo search

> I posted a link to an on-line catalog about six months ago, from a
company
> that sells surplus equipment, that listed brand new plotter pens. I no
> longer have the link handy, but, if you can search the archive of this
group
> (wherever it may be) you will find the store. I found the store using
an
> advanced yahoo search

I already did that. I did find one company
(http://www.alltronics.com/download/027-030.pdf - item 92C084)  that
used to sell those pens. But unfortunately they are out of stock and on
the wrong side of the Atlantic Ocean for me.

I also tried to refill the existing ones I have, but that failed. I'm
afraid the pens have been dry for to long a period to revive them. In
the past I have made "replacement" pens by taking the inside of a
ballpoint pen, saw the inkt reservoir of at exactly the right length,
and wrap some tape around it to get the right thickness. It did work,
but in all fairness I must admit the original pens do work better.
--
Peter van Merkerk
peter.van.merkerk(at)dse.nl

Try searching for the Radio Shack model (cps-####) that would have applied
to your side of the Atlantic. I know the Atari 1020 applied the world over,
but, I think RS might have different model numbers overseas. I was going to
try the .nl domains, but, it would do no good if I could not read the pages
:-D

HP use to sell a plotter that had pens that looked almost exactly like the
1520, same width (5.5 mm?),
but a plastic body. That might be easier for you to find.

On this side of the Atlantic, they still sell them:
 http://www.smcelectronics.com/CTANDY.HTM

I checked their web site.

When the ink dries inside the pen, usually the only way to recover them is
with a bit of heat and solvent to dissolve the wax. A very low tech way is
soak them in very hot water, dunk in veg. oil, shake, then scribble with
them.

I never refilled mine, how do you refill them? With a needle through the top
of the plastic?

There's another one on eBay.  
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3439776011&category=178

Sitting at $0.99 at this moment.  Might want to snap it up.