I'll preface with the fact that I've only gotten through 2 drawings thus far, so the results are FAR from conclusive, but I might have a cheap tip to improve quality on the drawings.

I've noticed that the pen can be kinda "chattery" on a hard surface (like the normal board build). Even on some small moves, it seemed like the pen was hopping along and leaving me with little breaks in the line on a rather consistent basis. I've dialed back the speed and I've got the pen tip just barely visible past the gondola, but was still getting some dancing. So I decided to muck around with a softer drawing platform. By chance, I happened across a roll of shelf paper that was a dense foam that seems to be working fantastic so far. Its the stuff you're supposed to line shelves with so the plates dont slide out or make as much noise. At least I think thats what its for, I've never used it!

Anyway, I found it in a local closeout / discount warehouse, but should be available at most home furnishing stores? $3.00 (USD) got me a roll of 18in x 4ft (46cm x 1,2M). Its about 1.8mm thick. Kinda spongy dense foam. (Also horrendously ugly) Should be this stuff (although my pattern is putrid) http://www.amazon.com/Duck-442031-Cushioned-Surface-Non-Adhesive/dp/B001SO53EK/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1346528400&sr=1-1&keywords=solid+grip+liner

I cut off a chunk and used a staple gun to pop it up on the draw surface. For me it seems like its making a noticeable difference in the smoothness of the lines. Its also a bit quieter.

I want to try a few more drawings and a few different styles. So far I've gotten a couple vectors done, but I want to do some regular image interpretations as well. Perhaps some other pen types. (So far, I've only used fine point sharpies)

Only down side I'm think right now is if you use a lightweight paper or perhaps something with an exceptionally fine (stiff) point. Might poke through / tear the paper. No problems so far with 50lb paper.

Anyone else experiment with another surface? I thought about cork, but its a bit expensive. Maybe a plain sheet of Styrofoam if you could find one thin enough?

Couple pics to give you an idea.

Things I've noticed so far:
- The surface is tacky (as its original purpose). Grabbing the gondola and stalling it as it moves to the extremes of the paper. Doesnt cause horrendous results, just some irregular edges. Need to keep the image smaller than page potential so the gondola doesnt reach off of the page. Or slip some extra sheets of paper under the drawing paper around each of the edges. Not the most attractive solution if you're showing off the machine, but it works.

- The tackiness does help when hanging a new sheet of paper and taping the corners.

- May slightly increase bleed through using spirit based markers? I dont really have a way to quantify this, but since its a plastic based material the normal bleed through from a sharpie doesnt escape a fast as normal. Permits for some bleed back I believe. Not a gross amount, but more than the normal wood surface. The liner does absorb some of the bleeding and it does dry to the touch, but I dont think it happens as fast.

- No problems with poke through yet. I'm printing now with a sharp ballpoint on my regular (50lb) drawing paper without any problems. I would really need to be a thin paper before it becomes a problem. Like Sandy indicated with the newsprint or tracing paper.

- Still seems to be producing better results in terms of line smoothness and continuity. Right now I'm at my furthest y extreme and still getting smooth lines. It was getting "skippier" the further it moved from home. I might tack up another piece to the bottom and try a print at the very bottom of my board to see what happens.

I'll keep the updates coming as I figure things out

Josh