Spool Holder for Anet A8

thingiverse

I designed a spool holder that meets my requirements, which I felt were not adequately addressed by other holders. It's not perfect, but it suits my needs perfectly since installation. It's likely to fit several other printer models, and you can customize your own if you're familiar with OnShape; my designs are publicly available there. [Link to OnShape designs](https://cad.onshape.com/documents/15f30eb23ee0ffe7a8e1a3ca/w/409cd2bbeda66f47cf89697e/e/cef33490d513d0023009f52f] # Inspirations * General design: Anet A8 Spool holder - reuse Anet parts [Anet A8 Spool holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2162266) * Back brace: Anet A8 Spool Holder & Brace [Anet A8 Spool Holder & Brace](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2226146) * "Spool cone": Parametric universal spool holder [Parametric universal spool holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:767317) # Requirements 1. As simple as possible - No fancy slats or patterns, no ball or needle bearings, no printing supports. 2. Prints as fast as possible - Low support %, less overall surface area. 3. Easy and speedy installation. 4. Limits the axial forces to "push out" the "spool cones". 5. Requires as little plastic as possible. 6. Does not rely on tight tolerances (or as little as possible). 7. The possibility to easily screw / affix something if it isn't solid enough. 8. Not *too* ugly. # Comparative Remarks The remarks I had on other designs were essentially as follows: * The weight and friction does not justify a bearing (not on an A8 at least, it's not *fancy* enough and plenty strong; I've seen mine pull up a half-full spool). * The holders are mostly 8 mm square cross-section. In hindsight, I'd probably go with 5 mm cross-section to save time and plastic. * The design does allow to use the stock "spool holder threaded rod" that comes with the A8. However, as the spool unwinds it'll always have a tendency to "screw away to the right", especially since I made the contact area smaller and more subject to interact with the threads. # Please! Let me know what you think of this design, keeping in mind: * Constructive criticism is always welcome (the other kind, not so much) * This design was made in 1-2 evenings; there is bound to be some flaws * Pros & cons of this design vs. others is quite good at making all the designs being compared better! * If you do make your own mod from within OnShape, please let me and the community know with the "remix" check.