Spool dimensions: 52mm axle diameter, ~300mm (11.8") outer diameter, up to ~104mm (4.1") width.
For anybody looking at similar spools, the Fusion 360 CAD model, STEP and 3MF files are all on Github
Update Feb'26 one of the recent Tangled spools I received is 104mm wide instead of the old 100mm. So I updated the CAD model to version B3. Works with both old and new spools, with margins to spare if dimensions change again. Other updates:
- cleaned up CAD timeline
- 5mm larger radius clearance
- 2mm hole at the bottom of the fitting hole to prevent tubing pull-through
- horizontal tubing holder for smoother unwinding when spool is full
Happy mega prints to all !
CAD Model
Designed to fit on a 250mm large plate, for the box's longest dimension. 240mm in height.
Settings for B3 version (works with both old 100mm and new 104mm wide spools):
- PLA, 0.4mm nozzle, 0.24 layer height
- 3 walls, 3 top, 3 bottom
- 15% Adaptve Cubic infill, Infill Combination enabled
- Support enabled, Critical Regions Only (only used for the threaded fitting hole)
- takes ~8.3 hours, 520g grams
Plate:
Settings for A4 version (only for 100mm wide spools):
- PLA, 0.4mm nozzle, 29mm³/s, 200mm/s wall, 300mm/s inner+infill, infill combination, no support
- Box: 0.28mm layer height, 2 walls / top / bottom, 20% adaptive cubic infill
- Tubing holder: 0.2 height, 3 walls to resist cracking in case the filament gets tangled (huge pulling force from the extruder), 2 top / bottom, 25% adapt.cubic. All speeds capped @ 100mm/s to avoid curling-up issues on overhang corners (happens on P1S w all my PLA / ABS filaments, independently from overhang parameters)
- Axle: 0.28 height, 3 walls to increase shear strength and reliably support the heavy spool, 2 top / bottom, 15% adapt.cubic
Plate:
The parts were actually printed from a 3kg spool, using a quickly-put-together wood prototype and a 3D printed axle. It helped validate the concept and the dimensions:
Assembly
Just glue up and slide the Tubing Holder's dovetails into the Box's top rails.
Install the PC4-M10 pneumatic fitting and some length of regular PTFE tubing going to the printer.
Do not use the spool holder without the fitting and tubing in place as, in case of a tangled spool, the extruder will pull hard enough to drag the spool / holder across the desk and up to the printer's filament intake. Happened to me once in ~1000 hours of printing, with a Bambu Lab spool that had a tangle at the 200-grams-left mark.
The fitting and the tubing ensure that the pulling force exists only between the fitting and the spool, thus preventing cascading consequences if the filament gets stuck around the spool.
Assembly completed, the rotation is very smooth with little friction despite the spool's weight. There initially was a squeak when the spool rotated, though. Came from the axle rubbing inside the casing grooves holding the axle. A tiny bit of PTFE / Dry lube took care of that, soap might work too.
3kg Spools
Dimensions:
Blatant shout-out to Tangled who invested in tools and a biz model to make high quality black PLA at $10/kg in the US:
Tangled's blog post on temps: www.tangledfilament.com/post/raise-your-temp-and-or-slow-your-speed-how-to-print-pla
So far, printed functional parts look identical to BL PLA's, but I haven't tested overhangs and bridges extensively yet. The only drawback so far is the lack of a No-Spool Refill ordering option or way to ship the empty spools back to Tangled for reuse.
Also, the roasted-almond smell when printing is stronger than with Bambu's Basic PLA, probably because of the higher nozzle temp. So make sure to ventilate the room or filter the fumes as even PLA emits toxic compounds
No idea if the Tangled spool's dimensions will vary over time, or if spools from other suppliers are the same size. So make sure to double check. Update Feb'26 well, now we do know: they do !
Time to crank out parts like daily baguettes out of a bakery !
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