Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!julius.cs.uiuc.edu!psuvax1!psuvm!art100
From: ART100@psuvm.psu.edu (Andy Tefft)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Imagewriter II tractor feed
Message-ID: <90324.132804ART100@psuvm.psu.edu>
Date: 20 Nov 90 18:28:04 GMT
Organization: Penn State University
Lines: 20

Has anyone figured out how to deal with the surprisingly lousy
tractor feed mechanism on the IWII? Mine jams up on me if I print
a few pages in draft mode. The paper tends to hang up on the
left side of the platen where the paper detect switch is.
If I use heaver paper it happens less often. I also am constantly
adjusting the alignment to make sure the paper is feeding evenly
and smoothly. I used to have the tractors spread to kind of
keep the paper taut between the spools but apparently that isn't
helping. I'm trying to have the tractors closer together now
to see if that helps. I also have noticed that when loading
the paper it helps to have the tractor/friction feed lever
halfway between the two settings till the paper gets under the paper
bail.

The problem seems to be worse now than it used to be, although
it has always been touchy. Is there anything else that might
help besides using heavier paper (I have a big box of really cheap
thin paper which is much more economical tor printing out rough
stuff; I use nice single-sheet paper for important stuff with
no problems.