User Rating: Very Good
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Ease of Use:
Pros:Easily fixed by someone with basic handyperson skills.
Cons:Epson really should buy the two screws required to fix this thing permanently. 5 cents?
The Bottom Line: Be prepared to fix it. The pully mount is very poorly engineered, but happily, is easily fixed. Keep this fix-it post for future reference if you own this scanner!
Here is how to repair the broken pully mount: Read completely before beginning.
Tools and parts needed: Small phillips screwdriver, 2 small flat-head screws (self-tapping pan-head with a head that is 1/4" in diameter and shank 3/8" long will work well.)
1. Disconnect scanner from power an computer
2. Lift off the top and disconnect the cord--it lifts straight up.
3. Look down the 2 square holes out of which the hinge lifts. You will see small phillips-head screws.
4. Remove the screws.
5. Push the top of the scanner body toward the front of the scanner. Try holding the sides from the back and pushing the top with your thumbs. It should just pop forward and be loose. There are three slide locks at the front, so don't try prying it up, it must slide out.
6. Put the top aside (without touching the underside of the glass--it needs to remain spotless).
7. Examine the pully mount. You will see a metal plate onto which the pully is fixed. The metal plate was held down by two small plastic tabs. One or more of these is broken, which is why the pully slips. Find and remove any broken pieces.
8. With the belt on the pully and the mounting tab inserted in the tensioner spring (it will be evident when you see it), press the metal plate onto the guide and between the (broken) tabs. The belt should be under tension at this point. HOLD THIS DOWN WHILE DOING THE NEXT STEPS!
9. Place the pilot drill bit (which must be smaller than the screw-thread diameter!) right up against the SIDE of the mounting plate and close to a tab (but not touching it). Drill a pilot hole. You will drill through the bottom of the scanner, so don't do this using your piano for a workbench.
10. Insert a pan-head screw into the hole and screw down the mounting plate.
11. Do the same for the other side of the plate.
12. Now, back off both screws very slightly. The plate must be held down, but able to move against the tensioning spring.
13. Reassemble the scanner. Your two screws will probably stick through the bottom of the scanner. This is why choosing the shortest length screw is important. File, or tape off the ends so that they are not sharp.
14. Plug in, and enjoy. This should be a permanent fix.
Recommend this product? No
Amount Paid (US$): 198.00
Interface: USB
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