by drawcut » 2012-Jul-Wed-18-Jul
I just noticed that I get a Z lift just prior to start of print. I really never noticed it before but I thought that I was having the same problem. But after some testing with older Slic3r versions (all the same) and and thinking about it some more, I realized that it's just lifting the Z axis by the layer height for the first layer and not an excessive amount like the OP describes.
OP: Do you have the First Layer Height (under Accuracy on the Print Settings tab) set to something different than your layer height (or 100%)?
Printrbot original. Major mods: Y axis extended to ~8", Z extended to ~8.5". 5mm SS Z threaded rods w/ flex couplings. E3D hotend. Purchased Acetel gears. Glass bed with Elmers' purple glue stick for most prints. Top of Z axis rods have added cross structure similar to a Prusia i3.