Expandable Spool Holder

thingiverse

The Expandable Spool Holder is a free-standing, customizable solution for organizing various filament spools. Its innovative design allows it to accommodate diverse spool widths and diameters with a minimum diameter of 6.125 inches; there's no maximum limit. It has been successfully used for standard spools like Makerbot RepRap and Printrbot wooden spools. Future enhancements include designing attachments such as a filament guide, feet for flat surfaces, and hanging accessories. The holder is easy to adjust in width using a set screw instead of a nut on an all-thread. A recent revision features an "indent" that prevents the bearing screw from spinning while tightening. Although the revised version has not been printed yet, only the indent differs from the previous design. To print this holder, choose between three available models: 12-278_filament_spool_holder (2/spool), which uses more plastic but is more durable; the minimalist 12-278_filament_spool_holder_minimalist (2/spool), which consumes less plastic but offers less durability; or the 13-102_filament_spool_holder (2/spool) with a special revision noted in the description. For the build, you'll need a 1/2-inch tube of your preferred material, 10-32 x 3/4-inch bolts, 10-32 nylock nuts, 10-32 x 1/2-inch bolts (set screws), and eight bearings with an 8mm bore and a 7mm width, and a 22mm outer diameter. Recommended sources for these components are provided in the description. Instructions for assembly are as follows: print your chosen holder model, buy the required parts, place bearings on the small protrusion of the printed part, secure them with a 10-32 x 3/4-inch bolt, cut your tube to the desired length, slide the printed parts and bearings onto the tube inwardly, position your spool on the assembly, and start printing. A visual guide is included for better understanding.