Multi-size Spool Tri-Adapter Roller Axle

youmagine

I tried other "spool holders", but they all hung up or bound sooner or later. Other "rollers" required filament guides and occupied valuable work surface space. I wanted a spool holder that stayed out of the way, didn't clutter my work area, and provided smooth distribution of filament with bearings that could be easily swapped out for different spool sizes. When using other "holders", I often had to tighten my filament feeder bearing so tight it would smash and distort the filament, making it unfit for use in the extruder. This resulted in wasted filament and frequent jam-ups. Other "rollers" required guides to lift the filament over obstacles and onto the extruder, only to risk clogging or requiring bearings of their own. It seemed there must be a better way. That's when I came up with the Tri-Adapter Axle. I began by measuring the inside diameters of my spools, identifying four common sizes that are all incorporated into my design. So far, I haven't encountered a spool that doesn't work. To mount the Tri-Adapter above my printer, I used a 3D printed angle bracket for PVC and some PVC fittings. With 3/8" ID bore bearings that fit neatly into the Tri-Adapter body, the entire assembly screws easily into a 3/8" coupling nut mounted in an adapter that I also printed. This adapter presses into the PVC fittings, allowing everything to spin freely on a common 3/8" bolt as the axle. To accommodate spools of different widths, I used two different length bolts - one long bolt could potentially work for all spools. I hope this design serves you well and brings you joy in your printing endeavors!