First post! First issue too... 🙁
Hi all, I bought a used Prusa because I heard the community is great and all the reviews are positive.
My issue is that my first layer is not sticking to the plate. I tried washing both plates (a steel one and a plastic one) but neither works. It works fine when doing simply line movements, but when it comes to the repetitive back and forth motion over a small area the PLA ends up getting caught on the nozzle and carried all over the board. I've been trying to calibrate the Z for the last 4 hours and I've noticed progress but am not sure if there is something else I should be doing or just continue working on the Z calibration.
Is it normal to have this much trouble when first starting out? The machine has 331 days of use on it. Could I need new parts that I don't even know about?
Thanks in advance. Any help appreciated.
RE: First post! First issue too... 🙁
You suspicion about needing to further calibrate the live Z is likely correct. Posting some photos of what you are getting would help a lot. Also post some photos of the printer so we (and by 'we' I mean people here smarter then me) can see if your used printer has been modified in anyway that might affect your printing. Are you using the built-in z calibration or something else. Most here would recommend something else where you can easily make changes on the fly. i.e. something like
https://www.printables.com/model/105404-calibration-strip-for-simple-live-zfirst-layer-cal
Also how are you cleaning the plates? Some people have luck with IPA, other less so. For soap and water, be sure your soap does not have any additives (they leave a residue behind which affects adhesion). Dawn is often recommended. Be sure not to touch the print surface after cleaning.
RE: First post! First issue too... 🙁
Yes, it is quite normal in the very beginning, and you will get it right very soon.
Do the build in first layer calibration: https://help.prusa3d.com/article/first-layer-calibration-i3_112364
and post a picture of the result still on the bed.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
Find out why this is pinned in the general section!
RE: First post! First issue too... 🙁
Hi there and thank you for the response!
here are some pictures from the last calibration 
RE: First post! First issue too... 🙁
Thank you for the response! Here’s the result. Any ideas?
also, i use IPA with a microfibre towel after to dry.
RE:
Hey I’m making great progress with the calibration! That file is a lot easier to read than the stock live Z calibration. It turns out my nozzle was too high, so I’ve been lowering the Z gradually.
the results are promising and with more time I think I’ll get it.
RE: First post! First issue too... 🙁
Yeah that is way way too high as pictured. Needs to go a lot closer than that.
RE: First post! First issue too... 🙁
Great, and you'll see, that the build in calibration is enough, as soon as you get a hang of what to look and aim for...
Hey I’m making great progress with the calibration! That file is a lot easier to read than the stock live Z calibration. It turns out my nozzle was too high, so I’ve been lowering the Z gradually.
the results are promising and with more time I think I’ll get it.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
Find out why this is pinned in the general section!