Tiko Spool Holder

thingiverse

Filament spool holder for a Tiko designed to fit snugly into Tiko's spool holder cavity and work seamlessly with standard spool sizes. Two versions are available, the smaller version 84mm is showcased, crafted to be compact enough to print on a Tiko but still accommodate the spool that comes with it. The larger version should cater to the widest spools I've encountered (refer to this list of spool dimensions - http://thrinter.com/empty-spool-weights/). You can also modify the design on Onshape. Most spool holders in this style function well until the spools are almost empty. When the filament is running out, especially with lighter spools, the pull of the filament can dislodge the spool from its bearings. In most cases, the spool is light enough at that point to prevent any damage, but it's essential to consider this if you plan to use this spool holder. Parts: Assembly requires some M5 screws, M5 washers, bearings, and ball-end hex wrenches. You can experiment with different combinations of bearing sizes to match the filament spools you're using. To avoid binding, use washers between the bearings and other parts. Socket cap M5 screws and washers - the exact length will depend on your configuration but I used 30mm screws. 5x16x5mm bearings - amazon link*, banggood link* 5x14x5mm bearings - amazon link*, banggood link* Ball-end hex wrenches* - ball-end hex wrenches make it easier to screw in the screws at an angle. Glue dots* (optional) - I use a few of these to keep the spool holder in place. Misc: The Tiko spool and an Atomic Filament spool are featured in the pictures. I find 16mm bearings on the outside for the Tiko spool with 14mm bearings on inside seem suitable for most of the spools I use regularly, but more testing is needed. Use small washers between the plastic and bearings to prevent binding. There are some large printable washers to help align smaller spools, but they haven't been necessary yet. When spools are running low, they may not have enough weight to stay on the bearings. This design is a work in progress and has not been thoroughly tested, so changes may occur. Printer: Eustathios Filaments: Atomic Filament Transparent Red PLA