Leader or Fabric Leader and Edge Guards for HP Latex Printer

[Suz]

Hey All!

My L25500 didn't come with Edge Guards or Fabric Leaders, I believe those items came out for the next model machines.
Wondering if any of you use these and do you find them helpful?

Some say the Edge Guards prevent head strikes and swear by them (reading a bit on other sites) and others say they
can cause more damage than a head strike and say don't use them. They look like $200.00 a side, not a huge expense if
they help. Does anybody use them? I did get a look at them, couple of photos posted where I was reading.

About the Fabric Leaders, those look useful. Any clue where to purchase those? How much do they cost?
Anybody love them? Hate them? Why?

Thanks a bunch for your input!

 

[P Wagner]

If you are printing to textiles (such as polyester or cotton) the Loading Accessory is definitely a helpful tool for loading the media.

I am not as big of a fan of the Media Edge Guards on the L2 (L25, L26). I would discourage their use on textiles on those printers, as I have experienced problems with the edge clips catching and distorting the fabric as it prints.

On the 300-series the edge clips are a better design, are easier to use, and have less chance of them causing head strikes.

 

[bgraphix]

I can only respond to the edge guards. I would say that it depends on what you're printing on. I can't recall if the edge guards for the 25500 are the same as the 26500 because we didn't have the 25500 too long before we sent it back? I would periodically use the edge guards. In my opinion, I would say the edge guards for the 26500 aren't very well manufactured. They are held down by magnets and 3 fragile plastic pieces on the bottom and if a head strike does occur, depending on how hard, it will break those plastic pieces and they will be useless.

It shows the bottom at about 1:18 of the video below.

[video=youtube;6D0M5Z5x2_I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D0M5Z5x2_I[/video]

 

[bigben]

I have a L26500 and print alot on all kind of fabric. I don't use the edge guards anymore because it is a poor design, I just add vacuum and it worked on all fabric that I use.

 

[danno]

I have used the edge guards on printing with fabric. It's hit or miss. Most of the time it depends on fabric thickness. As for the leader, I don't use it. I tape a piece of 13oz banner or end piece of decal to the fabric. Then advance enough to peel my leader off when fed through the machine. We are using a L26500.

 

[Suz]

Great Replies, Thank you All!

Very helpful information. I'm thinking I have lived without Edge Guards this long, but if there is something spectacular about them,
I should invest. Now I think I won't, sounds like they may sit in a drawer most of the time.

Guess I don't need the fabric leaders either, been doing the taping banner or other material thing to make my own leaders. Works good so
far. I do print fabric sometimes, but not often.

Right now my machine is running like a champ & I'm lovi'n it!

Again, thanks for all the help. Nice to know what others have worked out.