K8400 VERTEX Universal Spool Holder

thingiverse

I tried to combine the best design features from several spool holders found on this website to create my own universal spool holder for K8400. It can accommodate spools with hole diameters ranging from 30mm to 62mm. The maximum spool height depends on the hole size - the larger holes allow taller spools to fit. With a maximum hole diameter of 62mm, the spool height can reach up to 120mm. To design this holder, I created my own custom thread with 45-degree sides that enables it to be printed cleanly without support. The holder attaches directly to the original mounting piece of K8400 and uses two plain 608 bearings and one M8 self-locking nut (all components from the original K8400 spool holder). The only additional part you'll need to purchase is an M8x120mm bolt, which will replace the shorter (M8x70mm) bolt that comes with the printer. The new bolt can be fully threaded or have a 20mm long thread at the end, like in my case. UPDATE Check out my filament ballast design, which can be used in conjunction with this holder: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1887621 UPDATE 25-Dec-2017 I uploaded big-nut_rev2.stl with cutouts that reduce the overall weight of the part. UPDATE 13-Feb-2018 I created a brake to address smoothness issues with this holder: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2792583 Print Settings Printer Brand: Printer: Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.1 and 0.2 Infill: 100% Notes: I recommend printing big-bolt.stl and cover.stl files with a resolution of 0.1mm, while the other two files can be printed at 0.2mm resolution. I used 100% infill, but this is likely overkill - you may want to experiment with lower numbers and share your results. I printed all parts directly on the glass using hairspray as adhesion, but consider gluing down the brim with super glue for better stability. Post-Printing Assembly 1) Before assembling the holder, ensure that the big-nut piece can be easily installed on the big-bolt piece and rotates freely. Depending on your printer quality and filament, it may work right away or require some cleaning/sanding. 2) Remove the original spool holder from the printer's side panel and disassemble it. You'll reuse two bearings and one self-locking nut from it. 3) Replace the M8x70mm bolt with the M8x120mm bolt by inserting it through the mounting piece. Don't attach it to the printer yet - place the mounting piece on a flat surface with the bolt thread facing up. 4) Place one bearing on the bolt and position the big-bolt piece on top of it, ensuring the wider side is facing down. The bearing should move smoothly inside the hole of the big-bolt. 5) Install the tube piece onto M8x120 bolt, which will act as a spacer between two bearings. 6) Place the second bearing on M8x120 bolt and slide it into the big-bolt all the way until it rests on top of the tube piece. 7) Attach the self-locking nut to M8x120 bolt and tighten it carefully. Make sure not to over-tighten the nut - the big-bolt should remain stationary but still rotate freely. 8) Install the cover piece on top of the big-bolt, concealing the nut. 9) Attach the holder assembly to the printer by aligning the mounting screws with the cutouts on the big-bolt. 10) Place the spool onto the holder and secure it with the big-nut.