Centronics connector types?

[PaulY]

Hi This is possibly a very silly question, but I've noticed that two of the Centronics printer cables I have are a hard fit into the retroprinter socket, whereas one fits with a gentle push and much more smoothly. They all work so is it just a manufacturing margin of error difference?

[RWAP]

Yes, I guess it is just within tolerances - generally the centronics connector is a tight fit in my experience and the little metal clips are generally not required other than as extra security. It sounds as though they are more likely to be required on the loose centronics connector!

[PaulY]

Although I did'nt actually say, my concern was that pushing a stiff connector into the Retro Printer reguarly might damage the Retro printers' socket. I am using an (centronics) extension lead for one of my printers, so the simple solution is that I now have the extension lead that fits easily and well permanently connected to my Retro Printer and then plug the printer I want to use at any particualr time into the extension lead's socket, so the worst I could do is damage the extension lead, not the Retro Printer.