Quick change spool holder

thingiverse

I decided to build a spool holder from scratch because I couldn't find one that met my requirements. Instead of designing something entirely new, I modified an existing concept to suit my needs. The main goal was to create a quick-change spool holder that allows for effortless swapping of spools without having to remove and replace multiple nuts and washers on a threaded rod. This process often results in lost hardware, which can be frustrating and time-consuming. Most spool holders available don't utilize bearings, but I knew that bearings would provide the smooth rolling motion necessary for my setup. A plastic spool weighing over 1kg moving along a bare steel threaded rod would inevitably lead to wear and tear, causing plastic shavings to accumulate on prints. This is definitely not desirable. Another issue with existing holders was their excessive length, which made it impossible to accommodate two spools simultaneously. As dual-color printing becomes increasingly popular, I wanted to explore the possibility of using two spools at once. By modifying an existing design, I was able to create a holder that meets my specific needs and could potentially aid others in achieving similar results.