3/4 Inch PVC Spool Cone (Tension) and Filament Guide

thingiverse

I've been having trouble with spools freely spinning on the 3/4 inch PVC pipe that I use to hold my spool. It's also hard to get just the right amount of tension on the spool so that the filament doesn't pop out, which can make a mess or ruin prints. Inspired by the Tension Nut for 3/4" PVC Pipe and the Tension Nut Filament Guide with Flange for 3/4" PVC Pipe remix, I decided to apply the same inner shape (which holds remarkably well) to a piece of 3/4 Inch PVC pipe and extrude it through a cone. Then, I added the filament guide to another identical cone. These devices serve several purposes: 1. They help provide vertical spool alignment, especially with spools of different sizes. 2. They allow you to adjust the tension on the spool itself (if you decide not to let the PVC pipe rotate). Typically, I push the cones in on each side until I can feel a bit of tension when rotating the spool, but not so much that it will resist the extruder motor too much - this is a process of trial and error. 3. You can use 2 cones for a traditional setup, a cone and cone-filament-guide combination, or use 2 cones and the Tension Nut Filament Guide with Flange for 3/4" PVC Pipe. I've included both STLs and the Sketchup (SKP) file for your printing and modding pleasure. If you're not using Sketchup, you may be able to convert it into the format you want using an online tool. I was able to print both (at the same time) on a 220 x 220 mm build plate.