Just Assembled - Can't Get Good First Layer Or Prints
I assembled my kit and it passed the initial checks. I ran the calibration and have tried various live Z adjustments to try to get everything dialed in. I've tried -0.75 to -1.1 and it fails at both ends so I settled at -0.85 as the best of the worst options. Lower than that and it seems to start skipping a little in a weird way? Like trying to do a straight line but then bumps a little.
However, first layer isn't really great and full prints (I tried the Benchy) aren't looking good either. I've tried moving the Z all the way up and redoing calibration, ensuring the Pinda probe was a credit card height away from the plate and I'm still not having luck.
In the attached images, the long "PRUSA" logo test print was the first thing I printed. The simple layer test was next and the Benchy test print was the last thing I printed after trying different things.
I kinda wish I could return it for a fully built machine or just pay someone to come over and get it tweaked until it was perfect-ish. I'm not super mechanically minded despite my best efforts.
RE: Just Assembled - Can't Get Good First Layer Or Prints
You need to read the thread on layer 1 calibration. Layer 1 should go down as a solid welded sheet of plastic. Gaps like you have show your z-offset is too high. Here's an example, and parts to test with. You can also look for Jeff's Life Z Adjust My Way here on the forum (his spelling error, not mine so search for LIFE, not the correct Live Z Adjust).
And - fingerprints are your nemesis: keep hands away from the PEI sheet; soap and hot water are your friends.
Alcohol rinse: every few prints
- Gloves recommended.
- Once in a while, an alcohol rinse is helpful to remove PLA residue. It does not remove finger oils well.
- Pour a 5 cm puddle of 91%+ alcohol in the middle of the bed, with clean hands use a fresh paper towel to scrub the bed. Wipe up all the alcohol.
Acetone wash: infrequent
- Pour a 2 cm puddle of acetone on the bed, scrub it around with a fresh paper towel. It will evaporate fast as you clean. This step removes PEI oxides that form over time and with heat, and improves PLA adhesion to a like new state.
Hot Water wash: often, as needed, and after any of the above
- Handle the bed only by the edges.
- Wash the bed in hot water, use a fresh paper towel as a wash cloth, with a few drops of plain dish soap (Dawn, unscented, no anti-bacterial, etc.).
- Rinse well in hot water - if you have very soft water, rinse a bit longer.
- Dry the bed with a fresh paper towel.
- Handle the bed only by the edges.
- Place bed on printer.
Streak test: when contamination is suspected
- With a fresh piece of paper towel, and very clean fingers, dampen the towel with 91%+ alcohol, and wipe the bed side to side moving back to front, like you're painting it with alcohol. The alcohol should be thin enough on the towel it quickly evaporates. If you see any streaks, the bed is dirty and needs a wash.