RepRap Neo, I've had nothing but trouble

I'm going to try to keep this as short as possible, but as I'm rather long winded (especially when I type), I'll add a TL/DR section at the bottom.

I bought a RepRap Neo a little over a year ago, as my first 3D printer. I knew absolutely nothing about 3D printers and I thought, like an idiot, that this one would be a good place to start (mostly because I could afford it!). The very first time I used it, the extruder nozzle melted a hole in the plastic bed plate... I didn't know about leveling and homing and such.

After a couple of months of trying to figure it all out, I gave up on it, and started looking for something else. It sat collecting dust for about 10 months. I bought an XYZprinting Da Vinci AiO and, for the most part, I've been happy with it. I'm having some issues there, too, but I'm able to print, and that's what matters (for now). The best thing about it is that it has been user (idiot) friendly enough that I've been able to learn quite a bit (still barely qualifying as an amateur, though) and it has given me the confidence to break out the RepRap Neo again.

Last night, I set it up (FINALLY got the plate properly homed!!!), cleaned it up and tried a simple print.

Now, my Da Vinci has a heated glass bed, and that's all I've ever been able to work with, given the problems with my RepRap, so I'm a bit lost as to how to deal with an aluminum plate with a BuildTak "cover" (for lack of a better/proper term) on it. My first couple of layers were thin and thready (using PLA, which is also a new experience for me, as I've been using only ABS in my Da Vinci) and did not stick to the bed, at all. Before I knew it, the extruder had lifted all of the PLA from the plate, and it's now melted on, completely.

Here's what I need to know (AKA TL/DR)

1. Aluminum print bed with BuildTak "cover": How do I get my prints to stick to this? Please, be as specific as possible, as A) I know virtually nothing, and B) I'll be shopping in Prague, Czech Republic and will need as much clarity as possible to get things translated into Czech.

2. How do I remove and clean my extruder? I would have thought that simple enough, but some of the wires going to the tip appear to be permanently attached (soldered) to both the extruder and the belt.

3. I'm assuming that the "thin and thready" issue is because my extruder was too hot. If that's the case, what is the proper temp for PLA? If not, what other issue might I be having?

Any and all assistance is appreciated!

Thanks