3D Printed Bambu Spool Tool

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

Thx for watching! Bambu has a huge sale going on right now, including my all-time favorite printer, the P1S: fpfdesigns.com/r/p1s

[@Rakshasa84]

The petghf link in your description is a 404 not found.

[@lroyson]

This is a great functional print. I have had this problem, and I will be using this in the future. Thank you.

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

@@Rakshasa84thx! Fixed

[@BigJon1378]

You should try out the AMS lite spool removal tool on maker world.

[@anthonymatsushino6997]

I would love the stl for the holder tool, I literally only have one arm and could mount the holder on my workbench.

[@stubbyninja_]

I am a one-handed person, born without a right hand, and I can't tell you how cool it is to see so many prints that help people like me. Even if it's not the primary purpose of the print, there is a print for just about everything I could need. I got a printer less than a month ago, and I'm having the time of my life.

[@ThirrinDiamond]

That's so lovely! I'm planning to print things for my wheelchair soon ^__^ 🤝

[@BigJon1378]

kzbin.infoDkPfuNy38CQ?si=rY9w0tjPVv70fPLE

[@BigJon1378]

I have created a one handed spool removal tool for the AMS lite

[@BigJon1378]

@@stubbyninja_ look up spool removal tool in maker world

[@TheBudgetTechnician]

Just at the 2:43 mark right now and was about to post a comment saying that the tool he built could probably be very easily adapted to mount to a table for people who only have the use of one hand for whatever reason it is.

[@fuzzydragoncosplay955]

I printed this back in November, just had an opportunity to use it tonight since I needed to put a roll of PETG on a spool. it worked wonderfully, the filament slid right into place, and now that roll is going. thank you for the great design.

[@Mykeelk]

I love how you walk us through your whole thought process on the design, step by step! I've been printing for over a decade now, but have never considered using a piece of filament as a marker like that! It looks so cleaner than multicolor printing, and doesn't require a bunch of extra print hours and wasted filament clearing the nozzle between colors!

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

thank you!

[@ThePiitteri]

That hammer to place indicator was eye opening. I have avoided multicolor prints but this one I could do. Thanks

[@Ghust2]

I'm not really looking for a spool replacement tool, but I was just casually following along. When I saw that notch for the filament I immediately screenshotted this to a friend with a caption like "THIS IS GENIUS" This is what separates a good design from the true next level stuff. Well done

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

@@Ghust2 thx!

[@Plazman]

I'm glad you included your various iterations. As they say, "you learn more from your mistakes." Great job! I love pressing the raw filament in there as a guide rather than printing it.

[@pauly7218]

Mad respect for the effort to make this for us even while fighting an injury. You've earned this new subscriber!

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

thx

[@carltonwbrooks]

Tool for spool would be great. I have very bad arthritis that has deformed my fingers. I have a hard time pulling them apart. Always have to ask the wife.

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

I'll get it updated and added over the weekend EDIT: I'm improving it, and will release a brief follow-up video. I'll still try to get it out today, but may be tomorrow (Monday)

[@odditythreeD]

@@FunctionalPrintFriday Thank-you for this, same problem!

[@Bossen-DK]

THX for this "Must have" tools! I certainly want the stl's for it! So much appreciated! 👍👍👍 BR. Bossen

[@jayc6139]

We would also love this tool! We received a problem spool from Bambu last week where this would have been a lifesaver

[@kronisknatur]

I can really use your tool to open the spool with. I only have 3 fingers on one hand and this will help me a lot

[@stopcreepingyouweirdo]

My daughter was born with physical disabilities but has two Bambu printers and a side hustle selling prints- the tool you show would be a huge benefit to her! Great stuff!

[@slaw11975]

What a great idea and well thought out tool! Will definitely be printing one out . Thank you for all your time and effort you’ve put into this problem that I’m sure we are not the only ones having with a quality control issue Bambu seems to be having.

[@ph0t0dave]

This is the first time I have seen your channel and love the spool buddy and spool wrench! I have arthritis in both hands and I think both of these tools would make it much easier for someone like me to change the refills in the Bambu spools. Great job! Im off to view more of your videos! :)

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

thx, and welcome aboard!

[@gordonwallace7245]

Thx for the reusable tool. I'm 84 young learning 3D Printing, have an A1 & A1 mini, both with AMS Light. Printing in right now & will use with the new filament that came today. Subscribed and look forward to learning from you as well. Gordon

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

welcome to the channel!

[@hckeynut15]

Excellent idea and great engineering! Thank you for this!

[@stevemisher7197]

Really great idea! I have had a few refills like that, but this tool will solve the problem for sure! Thank you for sharing!

[@MySpam-v1t]

17:13 very cool and it shows also how much work is in things like this to make it over and over again until it works perfectly! thanks!

[@DaveA-sb7ue]

Recently found your channel and instantly subscribed. Hope your arm is coming along. Thanks for the great content and instructions. Love the way you work out the different issues we all face. Thank you for all your hard work and I will be printing this one out so thank you for the fix!

[@NineKeysDown]

That first tool would be super helpful for anyone who needs a little help! For sure publish it! Never know when an accessibility tool is needed until it's needed :)

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

just published a new vid with the design for the wrench

[@GarpDesigns]

Very informative video and great design for a problem that really should not be happening . The best all round solution to this problem is for everyone to send the rolls of filament that are poorly manufactured straight back to Bambu Labs and get replacements or a refund, if everyone with these faulty rolls requested a return I am sure Bambu would have to get this problem sorted out at the source asap which would make this better for everyone in the long run.

[@georgehyker]

^^^ This is the correct solution. Send the stuff back and they will figure out it needs to be fixed. The labor cost for returns, repack and reship will eat their lunch.

[@cvabuck5489]

This is fantastic, thanks! One recurring thought that I had throughout this video was that pulling the expander through the cardboard spool in the reverse direction first could help to flatten out the rolled edge prior to placing it over the reuseable spool.

[@jeffreychow8853]

This is the first videos of yours I’ve seen, and what an amazing combination of iterative design process and functional outcome. I’m mostly a functional object person myself and just got my A1 Mini after using the makerspace’s printer all summer. Subscribed and looking forward to more!

[@dazealex]

Exactly my thoughts. Enjoyed the video!

[@Forcelord50]

Great job getting this to it's final iteration. Simple, effective, and easy to use. Absolutely perfect.

[@larrystrizich3316]

Thanks!

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

Thank you!

[@Ed_Stoddard]

Amazing idea. I love that other people end up with 'several' iterations of their practical designs. I now don't fee so all alone in that area. Thanks.

[@joshuafredrickson9719]

Never should have even crossed your mind. Think about it. 3D printers are all about rapid prototyping. PROTOTYPING. You're doing it right.

[@gregoyler944]

I ordered my first batch of filament from Bambu labs yesterday. Great timing on this video. I now know what tomorrow’s project will be! Thank you for the great videos!!!

[@twithheldmwithheld8938]

Great video. Love the detail you put into making that tool. This is what 3D printing is for me, practical and functional items!

[@dougullmer4651]

I compliment you for taking us through your design morphology; many designers either don't refine their designs, or don't show the process, and as a result some of the 3D prints don't really deliver on their potential, but it's hard to gauge until you create a copy. I'm glad to find your channel. I'm not new to 3D printing, but I just got a P1S, and I'm getting to know it.

[@BlackenedBrew]

Dude, such a cool print! I enjoy your thought process and the work you put into it! Subscribed for sure!

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

Thx!

[@daveduncan2748]

Nice. However, an even simpler idea might be to slightly oversize the ramp by a few tenths of a millimeter at the end so that it stretches out the cardboard spool just a little bit more. That way when it gets onto the hub of the spool it will be able to rotate a little bit easier and you can do the final positioning without all the complications you had to introduce. This might even help spools with undamaged edges, but that are a little bit too tight. Just run them over the ramp when putting them on to stretch them so they spin easier once onto the hub.

[@shannondefriese9598]

Just set up my P1S this weekend. Love the innovation! Already ordered a bunch of filament, now I can print your gizmo and be ready!

[@angelus_muc]

Thanks a lot for this. I love that you show not only how you create this but also show how one can fail and how to get to the next iteration improving things! That helps people like me just starting the whole 3D construction work - I am not the only one who doesn't manage to create the perfect piece on first try. Great job and all the best for your wrist.

[@upcomingvillain]

I have bought a total of 84 rolls between with spools and refills, so far I have gotten 1 refill that had this same problem and also received a Red Basic on spool that did not have a cardboard insert at the middle at all. I was trying to take the red off the spool to use with a different color refill and it went crazy on me. I have now printed out a respooler to help with things like this.

[@gazzas123]

Thank you for your design. I received my P1S 1 week ago and I intend to use refill spools as much as possible. I also have a Prusa MK3S+ that is now 5 years old. The P1S has impressed me with the ease of use.

[@sethstenzel]

It is certainly worth putting that lever print out, my kids are very into 3D printing and I'm very much a dad who tries to make them do as much of a process themselves as possible, at least a few times, for the experience, to appreciate the effort that goes into a process, and for the sense of accomplishment.

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

just published a new vid with the design for the wrench

[@davidbrennan7422]

Always fun watching you work through the design problems. I would propose another idea. Make the mandrel a little longer until the widest diameter is ~1-1.5mm larger than the nominal size, take a moist (not wet ) rag and apply it to the damaged surface of the cardboard spool rim until the damaged parts are a little damp. The tap your mandrel into the spool with a dead blow hammer or similar , compressing the damaged cardboard and opening out the diameter slightly, just where its needed. Tap the mandrel out of the spool and install as normal. Since you use mostly PLA, the little bit of moisture shouldn't be an issue and once it dries out the cardboard should shrink a tiny bit, meaning removal will be easier also.

[@6884nfghfjk]

Really glad I came across your video today. I just received four refills from Bambo Labs and had no idea the spools could be damaged. That quite is an amazing invention you came up with. Thanks for the info.

[@kkuenzel56]

Necessity IS the Mother of Invention. Very cool!

[@glencwilson]

Fascinating video. Not encountered that problem on my spools (yet) but if I do... I think seeing the whole process is the best part though. Showing the problem and finding the solution, then progress through the design process is really helpful and useful. Thanks.

[@joell439]

What a great idea. Thanks for all the effort and iterations to get it fool proof. Having the handle too will help with those stubborn spools. I’ll definitely be making them. 👍👍😎👍👍

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

I published a vid with the wrench handle

[@DJN1K3]

Great design process and loving the idea of tapping a bit of filament in for a marker

[@Marcus_Caius]

Very nice and functional design. Thanks for sharing 👍 To clean out the cardboard you can also use a deburring tool... carefully to not break the cellophane strips.

[@FinalForm3D]

Love this practical solution! Really enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing your process! I don’t know about anyone else but I was dying to see that refill finally installed nicely in the spool! Haha

[@holy_moly]

Hello, I recently switched to bamboo spools for the same reasons and just yesterday I faced the same problem. Your video comes at just the right time.

[@kpintelo]

You will have it often, it is not normal in my opinion. Bambulab customer service does not help

[@smartmarketers2584]

This was really fun to watch. I learned a little bit about printing without support as well. I have printed supports within an object before and works great. The geometry you put into it was really nice. Pushing some filament in there for color was awesome.

[@lukedukeuk6497]

I just loaded my first Bambu refill a few hours ago and saw this issue coming a mile off. I first thought about using a deburring tool to cut it back then the idea of mandrel to straighten it out. Didn't think a few hours later KZbin would auto play a new KZbinr to me with an elegant solution for the problem I was just thinking about. Kudos to the design!

[@kpintelo]

We all need to haress them that they send a new filament or they reimburse. This is not normal. And it happens a lot!

[@GTW-1807]

You put a lot of work into the design of the spool tool! Wish I had your design abilities. I haven't yet run into a refill that has the same problems that you have found. But I did download your tool for print if I get any in the same condition. Thanks for all the work on this!! Gerry

[@buddythompson7797]

I'm new to 3D printing and this was a great video/ content. This will be very useful as I get more into this hobby. Thank you

[@steveriggsartandanimation8473]

What a great video and such a handy tool. Printing it now whilst waiting for my filament delivery. Thank you so much.

[@alphonsesuitperson]

Love it, I swear every one of my spools had this problem with being snug, and I just thought it was normal. going to print this now!

[@danglecier9462]

Great helpful tool. Anyone that is a perfectionist like you connects with us. New subscriber.

[@cluebin8398]

I got so frustrated with trying to get the spool halves to properly lock together I just redesigned the spool so that the two halves thread together and print all my own spools now. Works great.

[@dilkashgungabir5607]

I don't have a 3d printer yet but I was browsing for possible problems and found this. Really appreciate the time you took to create a perfect solution. Liked and subscribed. Looking forward to watching more of your videos

[@kpintelo]

Word of advice do not buy bambulab. It has been a frustrating journey for me. I would just buy prusa instead. Bambulab is not a good company. THey do not care about their customers.

[@PrayingPanda]

Just found this. While I don't have any issues (yet) i can see how valuable it is to simplify the refill process for those with less strength or simply for the times when you get improperly cut rolls. Isn't that why we even print little things to beign with?

[@BryantAvant]

It’s definitely a gift and a curse that people like us would rather come up with time consuming, complicated solutions to problems the manufacturer created and could solve by making a simple tweak to a machine.

[@ethancohen6005]

Python AMS. It's a complicated build and difficult for a beginner. But works for anything. Cardboard spools do work

[@kpintelo]

I agree the manufacturer should just reimburse those faulty spools or send new ones free of charge! Bambulab has very bad customer support in my opinion.

[@JAYTEEAU]

Great work, excellent presentation and flow of your thought and design processes. Cheers, JAYTEE

[@whatsup3d]

That is something I'm going to print right now, Super useful, thankyou!.

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

You're welcome! Genuinely hope this helps as many people as possible. I wonder how many rolls have just gone into the garbage due to frustration

[@lmaoroflcopter]

Absolutely genius. Been getting so many rolls with rounded over cardboard here too. Great idea! I've been cutting it off but like you say it's a complete mess and more than once the plastic straps have snapped or I've slipped and cut them.

[@Ynot8106]

Loved it. Just found your channel. This was a really good solution! Subscribed right away :)

[@confoojed]

Fantastic design and video again as usual. Glad to see the numerous iteration ideas and ‘almost got it’ prints along the way…more relatable to my designs.

[@jw200]

New to the channel and subscribed/liked. Just got my Bambulab P1s, amazing prints out of the box. Now after calibrations it's even better 😊

[@MitchM240]

I exclusively use Elegoo filament. You just tear the ends off of their cardboard rolls and the center spool fits perfectly on bamboo pools. It’s incredibly cheap. You can get a 10 pack of filament every day regular price for 100 bucks and they frequently have coupons to make it even cheaper than that I’ve gotten 10 packs of filament for $80 several times & the quality is perfect. You would not be able to tell the difference from bamboo. I have not found a better arrangement than this.

[@Talondale]

Timely video. I just received my first four refill spools from Bambu. Thanks

[@rsquaredinnovations]

I have cursed this situation many times! I normally butcher the cardboard worse trying to shave it! I quit buying refills! Thanks for addressing this issue. Take it very easy on that wrist, I wish you a speedy recovery!

[@apollos5184]

Thank you for sharing that design. I'd given up of refillable spools (though I did save a lot of them). Maybe now I can give it a shot again. Hope your wrist feels better soon. I know your pain with 7 broken bones (3 in the wrist and 4 in the hand). Great channel and keep up the good work!

[@Craigstoytrains]

Thanks for your videos. I really enjoy watching and hearing your thought process for designing the items you make, I learn a lot from these videos. I am trying to work up the courage and patience to learn how to design something from scratch instead of just printing Stl files.

[@EnzoSmithers]

very informative, and loved the explanation of the thought processes involved, subscribed :)

[@tereg5]

I've had a hard time locking the spools sometimes and I feel like I'm forcing and starting getting nervous I'll break to locking mechanism so I'm excited for both prints as I've had issues with dented cardboard and issues lining up and lock the second part. Thanks hope you heal quickly. Take care!

[@radmin2]

I always appreciate built-in break-away supports. Nice!

[@SeanLaughs]

Hell yea, good job bud. I'm new to the hobby and this is awesome.

[@mikecorson5636]

This was a very interesting video and the design process really helps make the information clearer. It was interesting to see your thought process and that making a part may take several iterations before you get to the finished product. Thank you also for enabling us to download the part. I haven't experienced that issue yet, but I plan on buying more BL filaments from them because they work so well with my X1C. I used to buy Inland filaments from Micro Center, but this year Inland has standardized on using only cardboard spools and they make a real mess (cardboard dust) inside the AMS after a couple of model prints. I had to start putting masking tape around the edges, but I don't like doing that because you have to ensure the tape doesn't get caught on the line or that it stays on the spool.

[@czummo76]

Engenius!!! I just started learning 3D and bought a X1C (go big or go home right?) and i just respooled my first spool refill today. I can't say i experience your issue but it was an awfully snug fit and it was a slight challenge (with two good hands) to get it lined up and seated properly... I am definitely going to print out your invention as i want to get my wife engaged in the printing side of things and this tool will absolutely help!!! Thank You!!

[@David_Kelly_SF]

Nice solution to an awkward problem. Thanks for sharing! I only just got my printer and haven't seen the problem yet, but I have ordered some refills so I'm sure I will 🙂

[@wileymarm0t]

Boy I could use that spool splitter tool! I was fighting to get two sides put together with refill and your tool would have saved me 10 minutes!

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

just published a new vid with the design for the wrench

[@JustInTime0525]

That's a great idea! One change I would make is to cut down the height even more, so you can push down all in one go without needing to remove the too first, and also reduce the filament needed to print, cheers 🎉

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

Very Nice! That is some incredible design and thinking! I would also take a sharpie and mark inside your white spool. Marking the "Nub" out to the edge of the spool with a straight edge to help you align when installing the new bundle of filament. Just a thought. Great video!

[@silvertourist]

Well that is just brilliant, thanks for the video and for sharing the STL.

[@H2Dwoat]

Hi, great solution to a specific issue 👍👍👍👍👍.

[@NWGR]

Amazing job dude, well done! 🍻 Adding the spool buddy to the print tool arsenal. I'm stocking up on filament too, so I'll use your link for that.

[@EdGodoyPlana]

I have not yet printed thus yet but plan on printing it tomorrow! I have had a couple of Bambu refills with the issue and was frustrating to get them to luck! I will be printing it tomorrow morning! I just sent it to my son who also has a X1C. I suggest you upload your design to Bambu Lab Makersworld so that all Bambu Lab users get easier access to the file! You should consider linking this KZbin video to it! I would also love to print the adapter you designed ti help you locking the Bambu Lab reusable spools! If you make it available you might want to also upload it to Bambu Lab Makersworld! Thanks a million! I follow all your KZbin video every Friday and love them all although the print you designed don’t resolve an issue for me since they are specific to the issue you have! Until today since I do have this issue on occasion and you are solving my problem! Thanks again! I wish I could learn how to design this like you do! Love your KZbin videos!

[@aberodriguez4149]

Thanks for sharing this whole creation process it was very enlightening. I don't have a Bambu printer yet but I am going to definitely have to print this tool.

[@nickbutler7935]

I've not encountered this problem yet here in the U.K. ( mainly because I'm only a month into my new Hobby ), but I shall be printing this off just in case. Many thanks for all your time and effort. Cheers from the U.K.

[@gbspikyfish]

Same here; bought loads of refills without issue, so maybe there's a different factory producing the spools in the UK. Regardless, it's a great idea and a useful tool.

[@nickbutler7935]

@@gbspikyfish I have just this moment finished printing it in PLA. A lot went into this design. Hope we never need it.

[@chrisgill5692]

Have bought 3 or 4 batches of Bambu refillls in UK and they all had this issue; have also had a spool unclipping mid print, although don't think was related to this QC issue. Otherwise Bambu filament refills have been great value.

[@_djengis]

Glad to see that i'm not the only one struggling with those badly cutted rolls. Got 10 of them, always a "joy" to put them together.

[@peterpeter5666]

i dont have any problems installing spools but i love your design! great work!

[@thejedijohn]

This was an awesome video. Thanks for sharing the process and the eventual success.

[@oljobo]

I love the Spool Buddy 👍🙂 One thought though: You demonstrated a totally fine spool with undamaged cardboard center. That came easily on and off the spool holder, and was easily rotatable. That probably means the inner diameter of the cardboard is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the spool holder core. So.. to me that means that the Spool Buddy should NOT be the same diameter as the spool holder core, BUT bit larger - the same diameter as the inner diameter of the cardboard. First THEN the Spool Buddy will actually repair the cardboard damage ALL the way, and not just half way.

[@revoracer523]

bambu labs has a STL for the printable spool. you can use that for the locking part. integrate it into your design..

[@darktherapy]

First time watching your videos - subscribed! I just recently got a bambulab A1 and love it.

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

Welcome aboard!

[@DougToppin]

Creative solution and thanks for showing your iterative process. I learned a few things from it.

[@robertclaude5961]

Hi, Interesting subject also because you show all your tests, not only the final one. I create some part like you and sometime I need to create 3 print before finding the right one. Your video make me more comfortable on this. It is normal to make adjustment. Merci Bob

[@speedchopwtf]

Great design! Might be worth your while to run your cone out the opposite direction by itself through the cardboard tube to roll that kerf out of the way and create more clearance before pressing it on.

[@claylinco]

This is great man!!! I've had this frustration ever since my first refill spool from Bambulab. It's a great concept and well thought out from Bambulab but apparently the QC on the refills is not to the level that it should be. Thanks so much FPF!! 👏

[@FunctionalPrintFriday]

Glad it helped!

[@IanBradbury]

It's great to see someone else working through so many prototypes. I guess that just how the greats work. ;)

[@MarcoAntonioButron]

Excellent design, thank you very much for sharing! I can't buy the Bambu or Sunlu refills in Mexico yet, but once I can I'll certainly printy this tool

[@brianmoore4691]

I would suggest making a very slightly tapper cone to run thru the cardboard hub to push / pull it into the right shape. obviously going from the "wrong side/ unnotched side". My idea would be different from yours by going the opposite way and pulling the cardboard back into place. Then you would be able to rotate your spool

[@Mattfromfla]

Never knew there was a notch... I will have to look for it the next time I use a refill and start using that... probably why it takes so much force to seal the spool holders... hahaha "The more you know!" 🌠

[@OutdoorIndependence]

Excellent tool. One modification I would make is to make the widest diameter of the mandrel slightly larger in diameter than the spool arbor. Once the rolled edge of the cardboard has moved past the mandrel, the cardboard edge will be gauged out making it easier to slide onto the spool the rest of the way. Thanks for the vid. I'll be making one of these for sure.

[@mitchellmorgan5012]

I had the same issue with ten “on Sale” refills I purchased. Must be why they were on sale. May be from a different supplier for Bambu. The regular priced rolls I have are fine. Appreciate your awesome design.

[@BlueEyeDK]

the RFid is on both sides so if you line it up with a mark on the spool where the notch is on the edge of the spool there is no problem , i understand that the carboard spool is a problem but that is the only problem there is... (you can make the mark with at pen)

[@xdevs23]

So cool! I love seeing how this was made. Very thought out!

[@pavelkolar9543]

Your designs are everytime absolutely smart created. I wish i had your skill and thinking about designing.

[@kunicross]

Just started 3D Printing and the Bambu spools are just very nice, kinda glad I never had to deal with all the waste. (probably will try our other filaments through if only for price and to have a decent comparison)