V-Spooler

V-Spooler is free on Makerworld but it would be great if you can support me by buying it here. A cheaper alternative is to join my club for at least a month, which gives you access to this and other models for the duration of membership.

To help you with your build you can now also preview V-Spooler in a web browser on your computer, or using AR on a phone or AR/VR headsets such as the vision pro here. Note we provide upgrade files separately in the files area so you can upgrade incrementally from any version.To help you with your build you can now also preview V-Spooler in a web browser on your computer, or using AR on a phone or AR/VR headsets such as the vision pro here. Note we provide upgrade files separately in the files area so you can upgrade incrementally from any version.

Want to build V-Spooler? Get an authorised parts kit here! Take the work out of finding all the different parts for V-Spooler and let us do it for you. There are options including the hardware kit and printed parts, or just the hardware kit if you would like to print your own.
Don’t want to build V-Spooler? You can buy a whole V-Spooler in the same listing. Upgrade kits and options are available, including the motor mod and various others. V-Spooler is designed and manufactured in the EU, with affordable global shipping.
Currently we are under attack by unauthorised re-sellers illegally selling my work on various different platforms. Purchasing from my authorised manufacturing partner VisionToCreate3D directly supports my work, and several jobs manufacturing V-Spooler in the EU.

Introduction

V-Spooler is a re-spooler optimised for re-spooling to Bambu and Extrudr spools (will work with other same diameter spools) and is designed to occupy the smallest footprint in a vertical arrangement, hence the V in V-Spooler.

I designed the gears in FreeCAD, the cam in Plasticity and did the rest of the project in Shapr3D. The model above was printed using Prusament PC-CF and Spectrum PETG-PTFE composites.

One of the biggest requests I get is for a video of V-Spooler working, so here is a short video (currently Beta 8.1, will be updated!). If you would like to see how to load V-Spooler, please scroll to the bottom to find the tutorial videos there.

Which V-Spooler Should I Print?

Additionally there is a “Large Bed Edition” version available for 3D printers with larger print beds and files prepared for the Prusa XL and Bambu Lab H2D printers. This is slightly easier to build due to having less parts and has a slightly smaller bill of materiels.

Which File Do I Print?

You Want To Print A New V-Spooler

If you have a Bambu H2D or Prusa XL there are project files for the Large Bed Edition for these two printers clearly labelled in the Bambu and Prusa sections in the files area.

Otherwise V-Spooler 1.0 - Bambu.3MF is the main file for this model which is updated every release to include all changes, so you do not have to upgrade when printing a new V-Spooler. 

If you have a non-Bambu/Prusa XL printer there is an un-configured 3MF to setup in your slicer of both variants.

You Want To Print A V-Spooler Option

Look at the options section below and pick one, then go to the files area and choose either the Bambu or Generic 3MFs depending on your preference and print the matching file.

You Want To Upgrade V-Spooler

If your upper rollers look like the ones pictured to the right with a lip on either end, you should use the Beta 4 - 8.1 to 1.0 upgrade.
If your upper rollers are straight you should use the Beta 2 - 3 to 1.0 upgrade.

Required Components

The helical compression spring can be easily sourced at Bambu Lab at the following links US/EU/UK/AU/CA/Global.

Please note that inserts require that you have access to a soldering iron and that those supplied by Bambu Lab are a slightly different size and less suitable. Ruthex or CNC Kitchen are good choices.

Optional Build Items

Loctite Blue

At least one of the screws as detailed in the instructions benefits from Loctite Threadlocker Blue. Do not use the red Loctite, it is too strong for plastic parts with inserts.

When you use Loctite Blue put a very small amount of it on the end before screwing it in. This is important for future removal. Please do not use this all over the model for ease of maintenance.

PTFE Lubricant

Plastic parts susceptible to friction benefit from lubrication. If you have a PTFE lubricant or other lubricant that is compatible with your choice of plastic, when final assembly has been completed a light greasing of the lead screw will help operation.

Optional Model Parts

V-Spooler spindle and clamp options are now listed on a separate page here.

Desk Mounting - There are now optional desk mounts, the holes for screws in the desk mounts are 6mm in diameter. You can remove objects called “brace front lower” and “brace rear lower” from the main print job if you want to use these.

Drill Attachment - You can remove object called “gear 8” from the main print job if you want to use the optional drill/screwdriver attachment.

Dust Protection - This part stops cardboard particles and other dirt dropping on to the target spool. It is supplied separately as it obscures the view a little, uses a bit more plastic. You can remove the objects “brace front upper” and “brace rear upper” from the main print job if you want to use this part. Note you will need to upgrade to Beta 4 to use the current part.

Upgrading From Betas

If you are upgrading from beta 4 - 8.1 the upper frame part provided as part of the upgrade only deletes an unused screw hole. Hence this part is optional and can be deleted from the build plate it is on to save a little plastic. If you are upgrading from beta 2 - 3 both of these should remain in your print.

As this page is getting rather complicated, depending on your familiarity with V-Spooler if you are performing an upgrade the best approach may be to disassemble your existing V-Spooler and follow the instructions below using the upgraded parts in combination with parts carried over from betas.

Assembly

Please find the relevant instructions for your model under the files tab on this page.