I decided to try the same method of print bed as the Up! Mini 3d printer, which is a perforated board of FR4 (the stuff they use to make a lot of PCBs with). I've used the Up! Mini and have been impressed with it's "plug-and-play-ness".
I found a 10"x10" unclad FR4 Perf Board on DigiKey that looked promising, and once I trimmed off a side so it was the width of the original bed it slid right in to the printer. I put the original glass bed in the bottom of the printer for safekeeping.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVZPiCMCgFogUHFOaFg_wiNmmGe85L00TB5Tbev-BpchSBaBDJCevURnCOLLHIRO_FuXlK3siCRIoSfOlFOX9xG6EWbiAQ3DGXFMSZ8SyUDMpBsH3_hAy9QaK0xVxAAP8tYNp8Nmt7uM/s320/IMG_20150313_215953.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNCCGqSlSDI2WruDvApd9ltGx6Uj1jQUkCkDxQAvlx7jFF7ctzuDOSOwZOq_e-VwppssbE-mkKRFaqU3I55Tj_e_Oy7mUddz7PIMIb9GN12fMe-qj2TqTdr_YHvVenzdD-C9zySMGOug/s320/IMG_20150313_222805.jpg)
After running the Z-Axis calibration I was able to print out a test part from another project and it came out the first try.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAngawD644G8MOy7UOhQYGK6IGBziOd2VJCIIOc9jE88Rw11sag7Dx_kQA_duMb3vLaSXv6qRO_AtdCf9D7Dzz_6Vip84YblYTWeLTtL1kujwshOlkUW8yFMTY2ApB5mFtK3kvXwBSopg/s320/IMG_20150313_224438.jpg)
There is definitely more work to be done with the settings for the support material, but for now I can at least print basic parts.
Update: Here's a video showing how easy it is to remove parts from the perf board, and a photo of the finished test part. These ridges come off very easily and leave a smooth surface with a knife, or if you have rafting layers it becomes a non-issue.
Update 3/17/2015:
After spending more time calibrating the printer and removing the top propriatary spool holder I was able to print a larger part with good results. I also added binder clips to the front corners to keep them from lifting up.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazKSx0k6nodUKHafl1Wx_ItQAb4PKoyWDcUwc66KpSJV6D6H3l4lhpjVQin7CibwdNGZQvGNZZB2SSMxhe9pWrm8xkIu_7ninqp3Ml834-DJuOB8aheFTqPXjmHSai0cy4F7EvWyhW3U/s320/IMG_20150316_182212.jpg)