Tape Dispenser, 3-inch Blue or Shipping Tape

thingiverse

Latest update to files: December 15, 2020 (Added possibly fixed Hub file.) A bench-mountable tape dispenser for 3-inch wide blue painter's tape also works with 2-inch and 1-inch tape. Optional metal blade for shipping/packing tape, see Update below. Print two each of: TD2-Base.STL TD2-HubBolt.STL OR print one each of these two files that make two parts: TD2-Base-X2.STL TD2-HubBolt-X2.STL AND print one each of: TD2-Hub.STL TD2-FrameLeft.STL TD2-FrameRight.STL TD2-Blade.STL (Or print TD2-BladeAlternative.STL which gives you both options of mounting a metal blade for packing tape, or using the plastic blade for blue or masking tape.) If you have a problem slicing the original TD2-Hub.stl file in a slicer other than the Prusa slicer, try the TD2-Hub-Fix01.stl file. All files should load into your slicer in the proper orientation for printing. You will need six pieces: M4x0.7x10mm socket head cap screws. The screws self-tap into the holes in the Base and Blade parts. It is recommended that the screws be threaded into the Base and Blade parts, then removed before assembly in order to get the threads started. Alternatively, use a M4 x 0.7mm tap to just start the threads a few turns, then finish tapping using a screw, making for tight threads. Four holes are provided on the bottom of the two Base parts for mounting to a bench, wall or whatever. The mounting holes are 4mm with a 7.2mm diameter, 4mm deep counter-bore. To replace the tape roll, unscrew the HubBolt parts from the Hub. Update: Added file TD2-BladeAlternative.STL and close-up photo of alternative metal blade mount. This is the same as file TD2-Blade.STL except it has two 3.7mm holes on 80mm centers to provide mounting a homemade steel blade. It can be used without adding a metal blade, just like the original 'Blade' file, but can be turned around and used to mount a metal blade also. Although the file TD2-Blade.STL makes a great blade for blue tape or masking tape, it doesn't work on Scotch shipping/packing tape very well. A steel blade works much better on packing/shipping tapes. I made a blade from a 10TPI reciprocating saw blade that I found at Ace Hardware - Part #2099349. I cut the blade ends off to make a fully-toothed piece 90mm long and drilled four 4mm holes five millimeters in from each end of the blade along a center line. The holes are on 80mm centers. I ground off the first couple teeth on both ends to make it less dangerous. Then, I ground off all the paint using a belt sander to give it a brushed finish. The blade is held to the plastic part by using M4 x 0.7mm x 5mm screws, self-tapped into the printed part.