I reverted back to default Slic3r settings per the advice on the comments in a previous post I put on here. I still get a lousy first layer. I’ve noticed this happens on my top layers too. Suggestions?
I believe the extruder multiplier was 1, but I’ve tried 1.2 and the temp was 205-210 for PLA.
I wish I could help. I abandoned Slic3r due to poor bottom layers (appeared to be way over extruded, and the first 5 layers were really squished). I moved to CURA and now only the first layer is a bit squished (might be a tad too close to the print bed). I’m not sure what slic3r is doing, but it puts out a ton of material no matter what I do (I’ve changed the multiplier down to .7 ~ 1.3 and that first 5 layers are horrible). I’ve tried default settings all the way to changing one thing at a time. First 5 layers stink no matter what I’ve tried). 
I’ll try tweaking the z probe and see what happens. If no results form that I’ll try messing around with Cura. Thanks!
It’s also not clear from the picture whether your blue tape is firmly attached to the bed. But mainly what @Mike_Longnecker said: that flat perimeter with a little ridge of squeezeout around the outer edge is a dead giveaway that you’re too low.
Looks like a z probe issue as well. Did you follow Tom’s instruction in his video on youtube?
slicer has an option to set the width of the first layer, perhaps thats the issue??
it also has a setting for the number of bottom/top layers, i have mine set to 3… so even if #1 layer is crappy the other two ontop of it make it pretty, maybe use MatterControl and turn on the help and it tells you what the settings do, i found it somewhat helpful
Raised my zstop a little and still get this. I’ll give matter control a shot and see what happens. Is 200C ok for PLA?
@Matt_Olsen1 It was a spool I found on Amazon that had good reviews. I’ll check out your suggestion on the Z-Probe again.Thanks!
Thanks. This community is so helpful!
For reference the filament I got was from FilamentOutlet
I have gone through my 3rd Hatchbox PLA from Amazon now. It works awesome for my Printrbot Simple Metal with heated bed. I print every day, twice a day if my work 8-5 work schedule allows me.
If I raise the z axis and turn on the extruder to and manually extrude some material should it come out in a straight line or curl a bit? I’d image it’d curl a bit as it cooled.
it depends, if you extrude alot then it should come out pretty much straight down, if its just a bit (like 1 mm) then ya, it will curl… if you think there is jizz in there then I use a small lip dish (or bowl) pour some acetone in it and lower the nozzle into it ( i heat it and retact the filament out first then let it cool before i put into the vat of acetone) let it sit for 20 then bring it up and reinstall the filament and heat it up and see…
This is PLA, are you sure acetone will clear it out?
oh snap, sorry, that wont work then… i have only used ABS up to this point so i get it stuck in my head
It kinda curls when I extrude the PLA, it doesn’t go straight down. Is that a symptom of a clogged extruder?
Can you take a pix or a video of this curling? Mine has some curling too if I only extrude 10mm. If I extrude 50mm-100mm it shoots straight down.
I might be able to post a video tomorrow. I’m wondering if there is something going on with the hotend tip. The hot end itself has material pass through fine.
