Stable, Adjustable-Width Spool Holder Using 608 Bearings

thingiverse

UPDATED WITH A MORE ROBUST DESIGN HERE: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4068978 This robust filament holder snaps together seamlessly using four 608 skateboard bearings, which can be purchased on eBay for under five dollars in a set of four, often eight bearings are available. It's adjustable and features parallel sides that ensure a secure grip. I've used this design for over a year with excellent results, finding it easy to use and reliable while significantly reducing filament tension dramatically. It fits every spool I've thrown at it, from the compact M3D spools to the four-filament Octave ABS sampler spool. The M3D spools are so light that when you reach the end of PLA, which is quite stiff, it lifts off the holder effortlessly. All the black parts in the screen shot, along with the small pins, should be printed in ABS for optimal results, while the red/orange parts can be printed in PLA. A stop-action of the parts coming together can be viewed here: http://www.giphy.com/gifs/3o7TKASFzr0mZGDZYY I'd like to extend my gratitude to NON-Ice for providing inspiration. More photos will be uploaded shortly. Print Settings: Printer Brand: Afinia Printer: AFINIA H480 Rafts: Doesn't Matter Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.15mm for pins, screws, caps and 0.2mm for track, arms, and frame Infill: doesn't matter Notes: Below are the quantities needed of each part, including my suggested materials and layer height settings. PLA (0.2mm layer height): * 4x frame * 1x track * 1x track mirror * 1x arm * 1x arm2 ABS (0.15mm layer height): * 4x screw (threads down with support at angles greater than 30 degrees gives best build with well defined screw head/slot) * 4x cap (hole in cap facing up, no raft) * 2x short pin (head down, no raft) * 2x long pin (head down no raft) With default Afinia settings, the caps fit securely onto the pins. If they don't stay securely either scale the cap down a percent or two and print them separately from the unscaled pins until they snap into place or use a drop of instant cement or put a drop of acetone in the depression in the cap before putting them onto the ends of the pins. I find that grouping the abs parts very close together with the tall parts next to each other eliminates the blobbing that the default spacing on my Afinia printer allows.