Ratcheting Paper Towel Holder v2.0

This iteration of the ratcheting paper towel holder is designed with improved durability in mind. The built-in gear mechanism features a spring that provides just the right amount of resistance, preventing the roll from unraveling excessively when pulled forcefully. At the same time, it ensures smooth dispensing of the desired length of paper towel without causing premature tearing. While the previous version worked well, it didn’t quite stand up to the rigors of daily use, especially under the “kid test”—hence this redesign for greater durability.

Video: https://imgur.com/a/FK8bvOF

I printed this model in PETG-HF, and it performs flawlessly. PLA is a viable alternative, but I found that over time, the rod springs may lose some of their elasticity, slightly diminishing their functionality. Even so, it continues to operate reliably, with a sort of "graceful degradation".

Additionally, I’ve included multiple arms for flexible mounting options, whether horizontally or vertically—more configurations are likely to be added in future versions.

Assembly

My goal was to make assembly as simple as possible. No tools or glue needed, everything is snap in place. (Although, you do need to screw it into something).

Step 0

The print in place “gear” assembly prints a floating internal spring. Due to this, you may need to manually twist the gear to break the spring free from the layers below. Grip the gear at the base and twist the top until it breaks free. Note, this should be relatively easy to do. If you require tools, you may need to check that your printer can print at a tolerance of 0.2 mm.  

Step 1

Take the two slotted rods and slide them together.

Step 2

Take the combined rods and push them into the gear slots until they click.

Step 3

Mount the arms approximately 13 " apart from center. Slide the rod into a roll of paper towel and drop it into the arms.

Enjoy!

Notes

1. A tolerance of 0.2mm is required to print the gear mechanism.