UP 3d Printer - 1kg Spool Holder and Filament Guide

I was really excited to try black ABS plastic on our UP 3d printer. When the spool arrived in the mail I realized that the 1 Kg spool would not fit the holder on the printer. Dilemma?? I think not. All I had to do was design and print a new holder.

 Before I could print a new holder for my larger spools, I needed to support the spool itself. I grabbed some scrap metal tubing and a scrap piece of plywood and rigged something up. When I got the spool back on, I supported the rig with my CPU.

 I quickly took measurements from the printer itself and started modeling my new parts in 3d. I decided to make two separate parts for the spool holder and guide so that I could make use of all four mounting screws. The original holder seemed a little too flimsy to adapt for a 1kg roll.

I strongly recommend sketching your concept before modeling in 3d. I was a little hasty with this project because I wanted to start printing right away. I was lucky that my first printed parts were successful. I find when you work too quickly, you end up with printed parts that don't work, because you miss some minor detail.

 Last thing to do is take off the old holder and screw on the new one. This one works perfectly!