Quote Originally Posted by curious aardvark View Post
basically it sounds like the nozzle is too close to the printbed.
so calibrate it.
Use a sheet of decent printer paper (90gsm is ideal) and have it so that the paper slides between the bed and the nozzle and just catches.
So you can feel a little friction but it mustn't be tight.

I would also recommend replacing the levelling knobs with knobs that have a nylock locking nut embedded. That way - once levelled - it will STAY levelled.

the a8 is actually a full Prusa design i3. so with a few modifications can be a really nice machine.

Yeah i did the paper trick from a video i found on youtube, it did ok on my first print but been messing up since but as the other gentleman before you metion about blue tape i will give that a try . and as far as the knobs that sound like a good idea i will probably try. Thanks for the help!! this is all new to me but overtime i know i will get the hang of it. What programs do you use? i got the standard that came with my machine but i am trying to print letters and cant seem to figure what program people use to make letters and words.