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Organising My 3D Printing Spools
As I mentioned before, this blog is all about keeping in touch with you, my followers. I’ve always wanted to give you a peek into how my projects come to life, so here’s one I’ve been working on that will soon be ready for you all to enjoy.I’ve been working on a project in the realm of 3D printing to bring some order to my collection of filament spools, and I’d like to share it with you. I have a considerable number of filament boxes, alongside an ever-expanding assortment of loose spools acquired from material refills, which I store in vacuum bags. Until recently, I lacked an effective means of keeping them neatly arranged. A wall-mounted rack was a possibility I considered, yet not every home can accommodate such weighty structure on a wall. Thus, I embarked on designing a solution that is both practical and economical in its use of material, particularly as I intend to make several units of this, one for each spool... Some of the sketches for this study The sketch above offers a glimpse into my design thinking approach. I don’t like to begin directly with CAD, I prefer to explore ideas and conduct some preliminary tests — some of which, I must admit, prove unfruitful. For instance, I initially experimented with positioning the boxes horizontally, but concerns over structural stability and practicality, particularly for boxed spools, led me to adopt a vertical arrangement, akin to books on a shelf, with a subtle 10º incline. This felt like the most suitable choice. For the spools without boxes, I devised a straightforward solution: paper labels featuring QR codes (labeling stickers that I will make with the Bambu Lab H2D). These link to a Google Sheet I diligently maintain, recording details such as material type, purchase date, last usage, and remaining quantity — a convenient method to ensure I know what I have.I don’t want stopgap solution, I need something that will last, withstand daily use, and to evolve as your setup grows. For makers who value efficiency, practicality, and good design, this might just be one of those 3D printing projects that becomes a part of your workspace.For the printing process, I elected to use a wide-diameter nozzle (0,6 or 0,8mm). This decision offers distinct advantages: the resulting thicker walls enhance the structural integrity, essential for supporting the spools’ weight, while also expediting production — a help given my plan to create multiple units.Stability was a paramount concern, yet I sought to minimize material usage. By inclining the modules, I positioned the centre of mass nearer to the wall, thereby reducing the risk of tipping. A more conventional upright design, by contrast, would shift forward when a spool is removed, potentially destabilizing the structure if not secured to the wall. While I cannot defy gravity, I’ve harnessed its effects to bolster the design’s steadiness.Some variation for the lateral wall — O lot of material on the left, but I like the aesthetic of it, the middle less material, but a lot less rigid; the right is what it is at this moment this moment. The system is modular, allowing me to extend it horizontally or vertically as required. I want it to accommodate boxes from some other brands besides Bambu Lab filament, though this implies some compromises. Bambu Lab boxes, for example, are compact, whereas Prusa’s Prusament ones are a bit taller — too tall, in fact, for my printers’ build area, prompting their exclusion for now (The new update fixes this detail, and it’s now compatible with the 1kg spools and boxes I have available). But why a special model? Isn’t better to make a larger module that fit’s all? No, larger modules increase both material consumption and printing time, so a careful balance was essential.The boxes interlock vertically via a dovetail guide and connect laterally with a clip or bolt for a sturdier connection. To ensure the frame’s rigidity without undue complexity, I opted for screws and nuts, though a well-applied glue would serve equally well for those preferring simplicity.Assembling a module is very simple… in the end, you’ll see that the structure is quite rigid and can support several kilograms of stacked material. How to assemble a module How to add more modules and stack themOne of the 3D Prototyped models This approach strikes a harmony between durability and ease of assembly, with a fusion of Oriental, industrial and futuristic looks.A mix of 2 configurations, at the bottom the sturdier version. After a few iterations, which aimed not only to reduce material usage but also to maintain maximum structural stability and rigidity, the final version is likely the one I’m presenting bellow. Reducing the wall thickness would compromise structural integrity without significantly lowering the amount of filament used, since most of the material in a tall print goes into the walls — the infill itself uses very little material, especially considering that tests were conducted with a 10% grid pattern. It’s also worth noting that part of the frame’s strength comes from using a 0.6 mm nozzle. I tested a 0.8 mm nozzle as well — and while it provided even more strength, it significantly increased material usage and introduced considerable dimensional inaccuracies.For taller assemblies, since the load on the lower modules will accumulate, it is ideal to use reinforced sides for the first modules (see image above). The lighter structures are better suited for the upper levels or for cases where horizontal growth is preferred over vertical.
All the prototypes were printed on a Bambu Lab A1 printer.A very lightweight option possible the one that will get to youAssembly details for all options Finally, there are those 2 kg spools — affectionately dubbed ‘Frankenstein’. These require a special module, as no standard solution will do.This small project has been an engaging endeavor, blending functionality with efficiency. It addresses my organizational needs, conserves material in a possible way, will be best to have a injection mold part ready to use…You can stack them to the ceiling and laterally as many as you need — the more you add, the more stable it gets.This is already available for free at: Spool Rack by Jorge Rui — MakerWorld Progress Update(09–04–2025)Slight adjustments to the dimensions were made in order to maximize the print area. Although minor, this change will allow for some very interesting things in the near future… But for now, it means you can already fit Prusament filament boxes and other larger ones. I’m also taking this opportunity to show another possible arrangement. The video above shows a horizontal setup, which can be expanded as much as needed.And of course, it can also be extended in height.(13–04–2025)I usually pay close attention to your comments, and one Reddit user — u/Adoomistrading — suggested creating a kind of side attachment for storing open spools. Well, here it is.This attachment, which I decided to call a “hanger”, is perfect for those transition moments between materials, or when it’s not really worth putting the filament back in a vacuum bag because you know you’ll be using it again soon. Its shape is quite unusual — partly to make it easier to print, but mainly to minimize contact with the spool. This way, it slides very smoothly, and can even be used to feed the printer directly.Detail of the hanger on the right side of the rackI’d also like to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to a community member who’s been tireless in supporting this project — both with ideas and strategic input. I’m talking about u/tierrie thank you so much for everything.Speaking of feeding the printer — did you know you can also store my SpoolBoxes here? That’s right, they fit perfectly into this new version. For now, this information is just for you, my blog subscribers, but I plan to announce it publicly on MakerWorld very soon.(15–04–2028)Just a small update, but quite an important oneSometimes M2.5 square nuts may run out on MakerWorld, and it seems they’re not always easy to find with the exact same dimensions elsewhere — for example, on Amazon. I’m therefore providing an alternative version using hex nuts. While not the ideal solution, it works just fine.In fact, in the assembly video I created, hex nuts are used, and you can see how I prevent them from rotating when the screw starts to tighten.You can find them hereThe ones withing the red rectangle(15–04–2028)Racks4All…As an update, I’d like to share that this rack system is fully compatible with the SpoolBox4All — a modular and practical filament storage box designed to fit spools from virtually any brand or manufacturer. The original version, now stackable, includes a built-in desiccant tray to protect filament from humidity, and supports easy spool swaps without tools. There’s also a filament-feed version that allows the filament to be used directly from inside the box, making it ideal for enclosed setups or AMS systems and Prusa MMU3. Both versions integrate seamlessly with this rack, making it easier to keep everything tidy and accessible while extending the life of your filament.
Also, as previously mentioned, I’m working on a full range of accessories and components that will build upon this same modular concept — which I’ll be referring to from now on as Racks4All.Racks4All — Example of application(21–04–2028)Racks4All — BuildPlatesSoon I will introduce a brand-new addition to the Racks4All system: a dedicated module for storing build plates. While it was designed with Bambu Lab build plates in mind, it’s also compatible with other brands, such as the Prusa Mk series, as long as the plates are within 250x250 mm size. I haven’t tested it with larger build plates yet, but for most conventional models, it should work seamlessly.This new part follows the same modular design language as the rest of the Racks4All system, meaning it can be used as a terminal element on one of the rack’s lateral ends. For this first version, I opted for closed side panels to provide extra protection and a clean look. However, I’m already working on a lighter, open-sided version, similar to the ones used in the spool storage modules, which will be available soon for those who prefer a more minimal approach.What makes this project particularly interesting is how it hints at the broader vision for Racks4All. So, the system is evolving beyond just filament spool storage, aiming to offer a truly modular and adaptable solution for a wide range of 3D printing accessories and tools. This build plate module is just one example of how the system can be expanded to meet different needs, and it demonstrates the flexibility that’s at the heart of the project.Another feature worth mentioning is the optional use of neodymium magnets. These aren’t strictly necessary, but they add a satisfying layer of functionality: not only do they help keep the build plates securely in place, but they also create a gentle magnetic pull that guides the plates into position. This small detail makes the everyday use of the module feel smoother and more intuitive.As with all Racks4All modules, the goal is to give users the freedom to build and customize their own storage system, whether they’re looking to organize spools, build plates, or other essential 3D printing accessories (to come). I’m looking forward to seeing how the community will use and adapt this new module, and as always, feedback and suggestions are more than welcome.(22–04–2028)A base with a slightly steeper angle.… I won’t be changing the original one, which has a 10-degree incline, but instead I’ll be adding this as a new option.This new base will be more suitable if you’re planning to create vertical configurations, meaning stacking several modules on top of each other. Even though the increase in angle is slight, it will help the “tower” lean slightly towards the back, as opposed to what happens now, where the weight of the filament — especially those stored inside the boxes — seems to shift the centre of mass forward. This tends to create a forward-bending effect, which the new base aims to counteract.5x5 stacked modules This can be addressed in other ways as well; one option is to secure one of the higher modules to the wall, which will help stabilize the structure.It’s worth noting that I’m already starting to see some tilting with a 5x5 module configuration. In this situation, the critical factor is the number of modules stacked vertically.(22–04–2028)New side panelsI have just provided closed side panels, which can be used to close the side tops.Jorge Rui LogoReenforcedCleanBambu LogoSome lateral alternatives for the rack (Updated on 04/05/2025)all this are already available on the Racks4All main project on MakerWorld.
(Edited)
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juiu
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very good I love the lock mechanism
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