Stable, Adjustable-Width Spool Holder Using 608 Bearings by strongcraig

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

UPDATED WITH A MORE ROBUST DESIGN HERE: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4068978
This is a snap together filament holder using four 608 skateboard bearings which can be found on eBay for less than five dollars for a set of four, sometimes eight bearings. It's adjustable with the sides staying parallel. I've used this for over a year and have found it easy to use and reliable while reducing filament tension dramatically.
Has fit every spool I've thrown at it from the tiny M3D spools to the four filament Octave ABS sampler spool. The M3D spools are light enough that, when you get to the end of PLA, which is quite stiff, it lifts off the holder.
All the black parts in the screen shot plus the small pins are best printed in ABS, the red/orange parts in PLA.
A stop-action of the parts coming together: http://www.giphy.com/gifs/3o7TKASFzr0mZGDZYY
Thanks to NON-Ice for the inspiration.
Will upload more photos shortly.