Thread Spool with Clamp for Sewing Machine

thingiverse

We operate an automatic sewing-stitching machine at our Hackerspace Chaostreff-Dortmund. It's a Singer Professional XL-1000 model that features some large spools of high-quality thread. We also created an adapter using a lathe for these spools, but initially encountered issues with the tension being too high due to their size, causing numerous thread breaks and snapped needles. Fortunately, switching to smaller spools has resolved this issue completely. I designed custom toy spools suitable for real use based on the work of user "creuzerm," who originally shared his part in the open domain. Our sewing machine features a respooling mechanism originally intended for small under-thread spools, allowing users to efficiently switch between different thread types without having to cut the threads off each time. Unfortunately, operating this feature can be somewhat tricky with large spools because the height of these spools means that you need to guide the thread by hand. I discovered that our custom-designed spools work seamlessly with most standard sewing machines. If yours is not compatible, it's possible to customize them via online 3D design tools like Thingiverse or using Scad files provided in our Hackerspace repository. For added convenience, I designed a simple clamp to keep the spool stable when attaching it at an angle. However, depending on your setup, you may not find this accessory necessary. Compared to their original counterparts, the new custom-made spools are extremely lightweight and function flawlessly in our sewing machine. To witness our hack and understand how seamlessly these customized spools work, be sure to watch the YouTube video showing a close-up of them in action as they print a simple representation of our Hackerspace logo at its lowest speed setting. Before printing this design on your sewing machine, consider enabling aggressive cooling if you anticipate any severe overhanging elements due to the structure's geometry.