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3d printed threads and snap connectors are nice, but M3 bolts and nuts are more robust and look dope. They also make the model easier todesign print, since you don't have to worry about tolerances as much.
STEP/STL and instructions available here: www.printables.com/model/548770-master-spool
What's the purpose of this?
They've started selling filament without spools to cut down on waste. This is a reusable spool for those filaments.
Who is they and how does this work? Sounds interesting.
They = quite a few brands so far. The ones I know of include microcenter (inland), fiberlogy, sunlu, and esun. I'm not sure how many are interchangeable but they sell the refills wound onto a cardboard tube/core with a few straps keeping the winds from falling to the side since there are no spool sides to keep it in place. You slot the cardboard core onto your reusable spool sides and once attached you can cut the straps to release the filament.
So you have to do all this instead of having 2 cardboard circles on the side of the spool. 2 recyclable circles
I think it's more of a replacement for plastic spools, since cardboard doesn't work well in edge roller spool holders and master spools are almost always reusable plastic which does work in edge roller spool holders. If your spool holders work with cardboard rims then yeah there isn't much of a reason.
What's the price difference between spool and no spool?
I like formfutura filament. Their refills cost like 20 moneys per kg (PLA). Their easyFil PLA is 40. Their brand has the biggest price difference. Usually the difference is up to 5. So still savings.
Interesting. I have a stock pile of filament that I need to burn through first, but I might consider that moving forward.
I think at some point the community should consider simply buying pellets and going straight from pellets to the printer's extruder (no interim filament to make). Pellets are roughly 1/10th the cost of filament so the savings are there, but that's also usually at larger quantities.
I know some large format printer's exist already that use pellets amd that therr are filament extruder out there, but I feel that's the trend for regular hobby grade printer's eventually.
Problem is extrusion consistency. If you want them to be affordable, you need to sacrifice precision. We print with 0.4 mm nozzles, and any inconsistency will show up. Plus the color is less uniform. There are already pellet extruders. Cnc kitchen tested one a while back.
Lol, i actually don't know. I only know it exists. I haven't actually printed anything in awhile but i like to see what other people are making and doing.
Nice, I've thrown out so many spools. Esun has sold filament without spools for a while but my supplier seemed to never have stock.
this looks sweet, will probs try this next time i need a new spool, looks way sturdier than the one I’m using currently
Just don't try to use it with esun filament. It does not work. Even without the cardboard insert. I tried :(.
I’ll probably take the step and make a couple different variations with different diameters, I have a couple different brands and I’m sure they all have slightly different diameters :D
Was going to do that but kinda broke rn and my SO is already complaining about the amount of filament :). Please send me a link on printables if you do it.
Most refills follow the master spool standard anyway. Esun just had to be special.
I got 2 spools of inland and a couple i got from a generic brand on taobao, I’m pretty sure both are non-standard as well. The last spool I printed off printables had a really nice table with dimensions for a bunch of different filament brands if you’re curious
Master spool standard ftw. Fiberlogy is definitely compatible if you're curious.
Variation in refill winding diameter really put me off the master spool concept a few years ago. I printed a well reviewed spool, bought a refill, and the refill was wound around a smaller radius than the spool so it wouldn't fit. Sounds like that hasn't changed much?
Fuck any manufacturer who makes their own standard. We have one. We don't need a new one. Vote with your wallet. Unless the manufacturer specifies they are compatible, don't buy it. Simple and easy.
That's the thing, is there even a standard? The thing that got me is everyone saying "master spool", which makes one think that you can print any "master spool" and buy any "master spool refill", but that is not what I experienced.
Master spool standard has mesurements the refill is supposed to fit in. The spool is printable on a 200x200 bed, that's why it's so popular. Every website I have seen, they state ckearly when compatible so idk.
I've printed a couple of spools at different sizes, it's really kind of nice to have them. Particularly smaller spools for smaller sample lengths, super worth it.
But another thing you can do is just print a little single-wall cylinder that friction fits inside one of your existing spools, then cut the existing (non-printed) spool in half down the middle and use the cylinder as a friction-fit sleeve to hold the two halves together. That also gives you the same functionality. It's not as cool but it saves on filament? ^_^