Artillery Sidewinder X1 Filament Spool Holder

thingiverse

A spool holder designed to accommodate spools up to 100mm (4 inch) wide, featuring a rib to keep the spool close to the filament sensor. Engineered for seamless integration with no modifications required to the printer's parts, this holder is easily fitted using only an allen key to adjust the brackets. A Fusion 360 file is also provided for those who wish to remix and customize the design. Older printers came equipped with bearings featuring shoulders/flanges on both inner and outer guides, while newer models have a standard bearing inside and a flanged bearing outside all four guides. For newer printers, installation is straightforward - simply slide the rollers over existing bearings, which should fit snugly due to a taper in the holes. In contrast, older versions require removal of one bearing or replacing them with new ones lacking shoulders/flanges. Before printing, it's recommended to pause the print after a small amount has been completed and check the fit on your bearings. If it fits tightly and covers the entire length, you're good to go; otherwise, try printing at 101% scale and attempt again. Proper calibration of stepper motors is essential for accurate prints, and filament diameter and flow settings will also impact the final result. Some helpful tips: 1. Protect your bed by covering it during printing to prevent tools from falling and damaging the glass. 2. Use kerosene, petrol, or WD40 to remove grease from bearings, allowing them to spin smoothly and easily. Soaking for 10-15 minutes in a jar is effective, even when dust covers make access difficult. 3. Take your time aligning the two rollers before securing them with the four bolts that hold the holder to the printer's frame. Misalignment can lead to suboptimal performance. 4. Running stiff wire between the sides of the spool holder can support the filament sensor and allow it to move when using very wide rolls, although the standard sensor mount works just fine for normal rolls. Other creative solutions involve printing custom brackets that bolt onto the standard hardware.