Homebrew PCBs

A small update on my "direct-to-PCB" printing experiments: 

1. I have tested the $4 Epson C86 printer.  I had to replace the three 
color cartridges because they were empty. ($9 each!) After a couple of 
cleaning cycles with the new cartridges, and a pass through the head 
alignment process, it is printing fine.  I verified by printing one of 
my vacation photos on Photo paper.  Looks pretty nice. (BTW, the 
cartridges are down to 89% ALREADY!  This is INSANE. I have installed 
the SSC printer utility.  I notice it has options for interfacing to a 
homemade chip resetter.  Looks pretty useful.  Anyway, with CIS, I 
hope I won't have to bother.)

2. I have received the (so-called) $12 CIS system.  It looks like it 
could actually work.  Haven't installed it yet. 

3. I have received the MIS Pro Inks.  2 Fluid Oz sure is a LOT of ink. 

All right, so I really didn't accomplish much on this over the 
weekend. And it seems a little excessive to have bought the new 
cartridges (when I have the CIS system sitting there.) But I have to 
proceed one step at a time...since all the equipment is new to me.  I 
wanted to make sure the printer actually worked...BEFORE I started 
changing over to CIS. (Or ripping off the plastic to get a straight-
through feed, etc...) 

Jim