Sovol SV08 Taco Bed Fix

My procedure to fix the taco bed on the Sovol SV08...

Step 1

Heatsoak your bed to your normal print temp, preform a QGL 2 or 3 times (this will reduce the deviation between the 4 corners), do full bed mesh height map, and save a copy of this bed mesh height map.

Step 2

Use this original default heightmap to calculate the shims required. Take the deviations from the edges to 3 center locations and add 1mm (this is to account for lip that is around the perimeter of the underside of the plastic bed). I think I started with 2mm shims.

Step 3

Print (6) hotbed post spacers and at least one hotbed shim pack (or adjust the individual shim quantities based on your initial measurements in the previous step). It doesn't hurt to have a half dozen of the the single layer 0.25mm thick shims. You can stack shims as needed. I printed with PETG and a 0.25mm layer height (you can fine tune the shim heights if needed by adjusting your layer height).

Step 4

Heat the bed to 100C and remove the 6 screws holding the bed down.

Step 5

Raise the bed up and place the (6) hotbed post spacers at each screw post locations (careful not to burn yourself, and use gloves if needed). The 3 nubs help hold the spacers to the screw posts. 

Step 6

Carefully propped the bed up and place the shims at the locations marked with the red arrows in the image below (these are the locations of hidden screws that hold the alum hot plate to the plastic frame, these are the only areas that are going to make a difference in leveling your taco bed).

Step 7

Place the bed back into place and loosely tighten all 6 screws. Snug up the 3 screws on the left side (do not over tighten). Snug up the 3 screws on the right side while using your other hand to press down the bed at the screw you are tightening (be careful the not to burn yourself, wear a glove if needed, and do not over tighten).

Step 8

Readjust your bed temp to your normal print temp that you do your heightmaps at (I did 80C because I print mostly PETG). QGL (2 to 3 times). Do another heightmap and record the deviations between the edge and center.

Step 9

Repeat the procedure above until you have a heightmap you are happy with (it took me 3 or 4 attempts).  Print new shims base on you new heightmap (or you add to the existing stack).

Results

On my bed, the shims near the edges are 2.5mm & 3.5mm thick and the center shim is 2.0mm thick but this going to vary for every bed.

This what I ended up with for my new heightmaps. You're going to want find that sweet spot that's between your normal bed temps that you print at. I'm super happy with less than a 0.2mm deviation. 

Here's a link to my original Sovol subreddit post…

https://www.reddit.com/r/Sovol/comments/1gkr22r/how_i_fixed_my_sv08_taco_bed/