V-Spooler X

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

Our manufacturing partner Veetec3D provides hardware kits, printed parts and fully assembled V-Spooler X models at their Etsy store, for which Fyrby Additive receives a percentage. You can find the store here.

Please be sure to get the kit that matches your model. There are now two versions, the normal V-Spooler kit and the “Large Bed Edition” kit for Prusa XL and H2D prints, see below.

V-Spooler X 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 X 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.

Introduction

V-Spooler X 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 X. It is based on the original V-Spooler, but aims to support larger heavier spools.

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 X working, so here is a short video (currently features the old design of original V-Spooler, will be updated soon). If you would like to see how to load V-Spooler X 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 X

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 X 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 X 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 X

V-Spooler X Beta 1 to 1.0 Upgrade - Bambu.3MF is the incremental upgrade file for Beta 1.

Required Components

The components lists below need checking, it is worth having a few spare of each item as I am prone to making mistakes despite trying to check this!

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 X 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.

Upgrading From Beta 1

As this page is getting rather complicated, depending on your familiarity with V-Spooler X if you are performing an upgrade the best approach may be to disassemble your existing V-Spooler X and follow the instructions below using the upgraded parts in combination with parts carried over from Beta 1.

Assembly

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