Adjustable Universal Spool Holder

thingiverse

Update: 11/11 Re-work on retainer assembly to allow for more margin for error and less precise printing, upgrading bolt to M8 and fattening out retainer clips. Extended Key Post can probably be spared reprinting. Will work on rotating parts to be print ready in the next update. Design: This project has been a long-standing goal of mine: designing a fully adjustable 3D printed spool/reel holder that can free-wheel. The result is this product, which supports hole diameters between 51mm and 88mm. Only eight small screws are required to mount rail guides to uprights. Future revisions will rework the adjustment system; for now, it functions rigidly but has some janky adjustments. Emmett's Gear Bearings form the core of this project (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:53451). These allow spools to spin smoothly without sourcing bearings in small batches or on eBay. Printing: All parts can be printed without supports, except for the adjustable spool screw. Use supports for the lower bearing recess when printing the large spool screw. Tolerances - Tight tolerances are designed into the project; expect some minor sanding on interacting parts. Gear Bearings: STL files for gear bearings with forgiving tolerances are included. If you encounter bound gear bearings, you may need to create your own. Key dimensions are: Outer Diameter: 39mm Keyway Width: 6.5mm Depth:10mm The CAD file is provided for anyone who wants to modify it.