I bought some roll paper to plot on my new plotter from our local store. When I took the old off I find out the core of the paper I have on the machine is 2", but what I bought is 3". Can I convert my machine to plot the larger core, or do I need to get the proper paper core size and where can I get it from?
I would be surprised if you could convert to a larger roll diameter. I just don't think there is room fo a larger diameter.
I've got a good supplier in VA that I can get you contact info for, but any supplier of plotter paper should be able to get what you need.
Physically, the 3" roll will fit loosely over the holding rod, but with the HP 500 it won't fit into the back of the plotter when placed into the roll holding slots at the back of the plotter - , I just checked our HP 800 (same design as the HP 500) and a full roll on a 2" core only leaves about 1/4 inch to spare when the new, full paper roll on the holding rod is fully inserted.
You can probably jury-rig something to work, but it's better to get the proper 2" roll and save the hassle- with a free-floating 3" roll you'll also have to try to get it to align the paper with the feed mechanism.
Here's a quick list of HP 36" paper on 2" rolls that will work (they also have 24", 42" available that would work as well). Paper rolls for any of the following HP Designjet printers will work- if you have to have it pronto, look online to order (Staples, Office Depot can order them w/ overnight or 2-day delivery- but you'll pay full price) ; or try Ebay- I've ordered the last dozen rolls or so from Ebay sellers for 60-70% off of the retail store price- usually with UPS or FedEx ground 3-5 day delivery.
HP Designjet series that use 2" core paper rolls:
300 series
400 series
500 series
700 series
800 series
1000 series
2000CP series
3000CP series
5000 /5500 series printers
List of HP paper rolls in 36" widths:
HP Bright White Inkjet Paper-(36 in x 150 ft) C1861A
• HP Bright White Paper, 36 in roll, 914 mm wide, 24 lb, 90 g/m², 150 ft, 45.7 m
HP Coated Paper- (36 in x 150 ft) C6020B
• HP Coated Paper, 36 in roll, 914 mm wide, 24 lb, 90 g/m², 150 ft, 45.7 m
HP Heavyweight Coated Paper- (36 in x 100 ft) C6030C
• HP Heavyweight Coated Paper, 36 in roll, 914 mm wide, 35 lb, 130 g/m², 100 ft, 30.5 m
HP Recycled Bond Paper- (36 in x 150 ft) CG890A
• HP Recycled Bond Paper, 36 in roll, 914 mm wide, 4 mil, 80 g/m², 150 ft, 45.7 m
HP Universal Bond Paper- (36 in x 150 ft) Q1397A
• HP Universal Bond Paper, 36 in roll, 914 mm wide, 4.2 mil, 80 g/m². 150 ft, 45.7 m
HP Universal Coated Paper- (36 in x 150 ft) Q1405A
• HP Universal Coated Paper, 36 in roll, 914 mm wide, 4.9 mil, 90 g/m², 150 ft, 45.7 m
HP Universal Heavyweight Coated Paper- (36 in x 100 ft) Q1413A
• HP Universal Heavyweight Coated Paper, 36 in roll, 914 mm wide, 33 lb, 125 g/m², 100 ft, 30.5 m