Homebrew PCBs

Ok, now you've lost me.  Can I can some clairity please, I truely 
dont understand--

> Did you consider the cost of a new cartridge ? 
> 
> Sooner or later you'll need that.

Yes they are like $64 - $120; I paid like $15 for the remanufactured 
one which was supposed to be "guaranteed"

> In my case I sent to scrap an old Laserjet IIIp after
> a loong time of getting best solid blacks han newer
> ones (was 1992)

Solid blacks?  Yes, when I print a page that is a checkerboard I 
would like to see a solid black and white checkerboard, with no 
variances.

> That was good for making letter copies on 'calco type'
> paper (translucid) so it got camera-ready, avoiding
> costly film based  output (i.e. Linotronic)

'calco type' paper?  I put white paper in, and expect the same WHITE 
to be on the paper, not light traces of toner on the white areas - 
which is what I am getting now.

'linotronic' ??  Well, ideally I would like to use the printer for a 
camera ready output would be nice if possible.  Which would mean that 
the blacks must be 100% black and the white must absolutely be clear 
with no toner - I dont know if thats too much to ask out of a laser 
printer.

> The cost factor was crucial when facing to replace
> consumables.
> 
> Just the the cartridge, would above 100 dollars these
> days almost a price to consider buying a new one.

$100 is alot of money (for me) to spend on a cartridge when I am 
uncertain that is the issue, for sure.