Extra Large Heavy Duty Tube Squeezer

This is an extra large, heavy duty version of my Stronger Ratcheting Toothpaste Tube Squeezer. 

This version is big. Much bigger than the previous version. Every part is bigger, thicker, and more sturdy. See photo, which includes a 65 mm squeezer from my earlier version, for comparison. 

The point is to accommodate much bigger tubes than the toothpaste squeezers can handle. It should be good for larger tubes of adhesives, lubricants, sealants, etc. 

The larger size should allow you to put more tension on the center shaft without stressing it to the breaking point. With that said, I still recommend tightening the wingnut only until everything is snug. Don't overtighten. 

Print profiles are included for: 

• 75 mm version. This can accommodate tubes that are up to about 75 mm wide, when flattened. When fully assembled, the tube squeezer is actually about 130 mm long by 70 mm (at its widest point). The slots in the body and shaft are quite a bit wider than in the original, which should allow for much bigger tubes to be used. 
• 75 mm version with 3 mm slots. This print profile only includes a body and shaft (it does not include the other parts, which are the same as in the main profile). But the slot in both parts is 3 mm wide, just in case your tubes still don't fit in the normal version. There is a balance between having a slot that is wide enough to accommodate your tube, but not so wide that it still leaves a lot of product in the tube when you squeeze it. Because of this, I think you should try the normal version before moving on to any of the 3 mm versions. 
• Two color 75 mm version. This is intended to be printed with the AMS, so you can have a body that is a different color from the other parts. All the parts are the same. 
• 95 mm version. This can accommodate tubes that are up to about 95 mm wide, when flattened. When fully assembled, it is actually about 154 mm long by 70 mm (at its widest point). The slots in the body and shaft are quite a bit wider than in the original, which should allow for much bigger tubes to be used. 
• 95 mm version with 3 mm slots. This print profile only includes a body and shaft (it does not include the other parts, which are the same as in the main profile). But the slot in both parts is 3 mm wide, just in case your tubes still don't fit in the normal version.
• Two color 95 mm version. This is intended to be printed with the AMS, so you can have a body that is a different color from the other parts. All of the parts are the same. 

Other notes and assembly instructions from the original model are pasted below. 

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Description

This stronger ratcheting toothpaste tube roller comes in four sizes for tubes of many widths: 35mm, 50mm, 65mm, and 75mm. It should accommodate most types of tubes. 

I love the ratcheting tube rollers that others have made. But I broke several of them by squeezing too hard with my hand while rolling them up with the ratchet. They tend to break along layer lines, primarily because most of them are printed standing up. This version is designed to be stronger. It also fixes the shaft and nut that screws onto the end of it. Many of them have threads that are too fine, and don't print well. 

Assembly: Look at the “exploded view” pictures included at the bottom of this page. The photos show how the parts should be put together. After printing, let the parts cool down completely, and work them gently at first. The wingnut does not need to be super tight. 

Instructions for use: After assembly (see below) insert your tube (toothpaste, ointment, or whatever) into the slot at the back of the squeezer, and then through the center slot in the shaft. It should go all of the way through the shaft and stick out a bit. Then you can turn the ratcheting handle to tighten as much as you need. When you need to replace your tube, remove the wingnut, and pull the shaft back just far enough that the ratchet disengages. At that point, the shaft will spin freely, and you can pull the tube back out the way it came.

This version is strong, and includes the following changes:

• Redesigned to print laying down. This makes it stronger, with long horizontal layer lines, rather than short vertical lines. I changed the geometry so that it avoids most overhangs and prints well laying down. It prints just fine without supports.
• The plastic is a bit thicker, also contributing to strength. 
• I made the slot in the side of the main body wider, because I had some toothpaste tubes that would not fit. This version will accommodate more types of tubes. Not just toothpaste!
• I also made the slot in the shaft wider. 
• I made the threads on the shaft and the corresponding nut coarser, so they print more reliably and tighten easily.
• There is a new wingnut cap that is easier to turn. 
• The largest version has a shaft that is pretty long for the twisting tension that could be applied to it. Treat it gently (don't tighten too much), and it should work fine. 

I printed in PETG. PLA should work for everything except the ratchet piece. 

The print profile includes everything you need to make this work. But I only uploaded stl files for the parts that I modified. If you want stl files for the ratchet, you can get those from Luke's 3D excellent original Ratchet Toothpaste Tube Squeezer. If you want the stl file for the bigger handle, you can get that from dsnineteen's fantastic Bigger Handle for Ratchet Toothpaste Tube Squeezer. I did not change any of these other components.