Self-Aligning, Adjustable-Width Spool Holder Using 608 Bearings

thingiverse

This is an enhanced spool holder that uses easily printable parts along with four 608 skateboard bearings. My previous iteration of this had some small components that required printing out of ABS to avoid breaking yet still risked being crushed or the printed screws snapping in half when subjected to heavy use. This update is more robust and fully printable from PLA with only two parts (both tracks) needing support material. The pin (x4), if you print it separately and scale it up a percentage point or two, will have an interference fit that pushes into place for a permanent connection with the arms. When I printed this thing, I did not bother to fine tune the pins by scaling but added a tiny amount of cyanoacrylate glue to the holes that the pins go into. If you choose to use glue, so as to ensure no glue gets on parts that don't need it, apply the cyanoacrylate in the holes and not on the shaft of the pins. The nut (x4) should fit snugly; if too tight, scale it up in the x/y directions by a percentage or two to achieve a good fit.