Anet A6 Filament Bar Clamp Jaws

thingiverse

After wrestling with filament changes on the Anet A6, even with an extruder button in place, I decided to give a clamp a try. This affordable 4" bar clamp requires minimal effort to press down on the extruder spring and frees both hands during filament changes, resulting in a significant improvement. The photo of the clamp on the bed shows the original orange jaws for reference purposes. The photo of the extruder shows how I positioned the clamp. The modified jaw pads accommodate the screws on the extruder head to help hold the clamp securely in place. The "bottom" jaw has a slot for the screw below the extruder spring and the "top" jaw features a recessed hole for the extruder screw, The "top" jaw attaches to the ratchet mechanism. I've tested the jaws to fit the IIT Micro Ratcheting Bar Clamp and Spreader, which I purchased for $1.95 at a local discount store, as well as the Pittsburgh 4 in. Ratcheting Bar Clamp/Spreader, available from Harbor Freight. See also my spring clamp version on Thingiverse.