How to switch Elegoo Cardboard Spool to Bambu Lab's reusable spool.

Showing how easy it is to transfer the Elegoo filament that comes on a carboard spool over to the reusable Bambu Lab Plastic spool. Switching to the plastic spool resolves the issues in regards to fitting the AMS lite and worrying about it getting stuck in the regular AMS or leaving cardboard residue.

[@lavachemist]

Extra pro-tip, you can put the rfid sensor from a Bambu spool of the same material type and color inside the cardboard ring, and the AMS will recognize the filament type and even update the filament remaining.

[@CarlexDIY]

Yup. Slide the rfid band on while respooling. Just remember to write the color and type or you'll be taking apart again. Trust me. 😆

[@lavachemist]

@@CarlexDIY yeah, I have a bunch that I didn't throw away but also didn't label. I'll have to test them and label them all. I actually found you can loosely tape them to cardboard spools and AMS will see them, so at least it won't be impossible to figure out.

[@aeonjoey3d]

Great to know, I switched over to Elegoo Rapid PETG when Bambu discontinued their PETG, and now I can use all those spools! Thanks!

[@CarlexDIY]

Glad I could help!

[@HawkDriver90210]

Any update on it working smoothly in the AMS?

[@CarlexDIY]

You mean after switching spools or keeping it in cardboard?

[@gabeplays9441]

THANKS! The AMS rings won’t let my AMS close and this is so easy compared to respooling. Elegoo is the way to go!

[@CarlexDIY]

Agree with you. Elegoo has been my go to for PLA.

[@bibihassberg1570]

Printed one from Printables today that fits Elegoo and AMS. Will link tomorrow If ya want

[@gabeplays9441]

@@CarlexDIY I printed one and it just won’t fit with the AMS?

[@CarlexDIY]

Which one did you print? I've printed this one, and it works well with my AMS and AMS lite and didn't take much filament. makerworld.com/models/152830

[@bibihassberg1570]

My ring quit to work an hour ago, so forget my post from earlier this morning, sorry. Will try the spool-switch now //done the switch within a minute, forget everything I said before, thats the way to go

[@spacehunter2018]

Awesome video, i dont own a bambu lab printer or spool but this was fun to watch either way. U deserve more subs buddy. Props to you 😃👌

[@CarlexDIY]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@TheGathumpus]

The only thing I have to add is that i wrap cling film/sarin wrap around the filament instead of using tape. so it helps keep the whole drum compressed and not loose. Have cut the tube of wrap to the width of the roll to make it easier. If it goes pear shaped don't give up I use a winder (see MakerWorld Filament Rewinder) through the still un-tightened Bambu reel hold it together, then partially wind it onto an empty drum. But pulling the sides off is a better/easier solution that rewinding.

[@CarlexDIY]

Do you use wrap for already started filament spools only or freshly new spools too?

[@TheGathumpus]

@@CarlexDIY On new spools before breaking the cardboard of, so it holds the filament in place on the roll, usually find biggest problem is one loop of filament drops into the side then gets trapped causing the roll to bind and stop the AMS halfway through a roll. I sometimes re-roll a filament onto an old drum as some filaments are on a narrower but deeper drum and wont go in the AMS fouling the feed tube instead of turning. Also I have my Bambu lab on a desk, in a kitchen cabinet turned upside down with the draw in the bottom. You have to make the cabinet a bit deeper. The poop falls behind the draw and i pull the draw out every week or so and collect it. By putting the printer in a cabinet it allows me to use a fan on the top to vent out any nasty fumes, keeps it almost silent and gives me a draw to hold my junk in. The AMS is on the top (or bottom depending how you look at it) and feeds through a 4/5mm hole. I also dropped one of those magnetic sewing machine led lights (Ebay 30 LED Flexible Bright Sewing Machine Light Working Gooseneck Lamp Magnetic Base) on top of the glass inside the cabinet so i can see inside better.

[@maxisp1000]

My newest spools from Elegoo come with a sticker on outside of cardboard and run in the AMS with no problems so far.

[@CarlexDIY]

Really? That be nice if they made it a little sturdier.

[@LurkAzusa]

I've subscribed. I like the practical, to the point videos.

[@CarlexDIY]

Awesome, thank you!

[@magpack9]

Excellent video - I just ordered a couple of re-useable spools and going to try this I just sub'ed and BIG Like!! Thanks again!

[@CarlexDIY]

Thank you!

[@kkuenzel56]

That was slick! Thanks! Do all of Elegoo's filament spools come apart like that?

[@CarlexDIY]

I've believe so. I've only used their PLA, PLA+ and PLA Matte. But from the looks of it, all their spools look similar.

[@liamosterhout6538]

@@CarlexDIY can confirm worked with my ASA

[@JohnConexion]

Podrias hacer un video para ver la calidad de ese filamento matte PLA

[@CarlexDIY]

Yes. I will make a quick video showing the Matte finish. Ayi lo pongo mas tarde.

[@davidahn4130]

I just tried PolyTerra cardboard spool and the Bambu cardboard core fits inside the PolyTerra core. I don't know if that will make it more stable or it makes no difference because the spool's flanges do fit pretty snugly. Fingers crossed!

[@CarlexDIY]

Good to know that it fits. Still running the Polyterra on the reusable spool?

[@_code_paradox]

This is amazing, I had heard about people doing this before, but I never knew how to do it. Thank you. Do you happen to know what other brand spools also fit?

[@CarlexDIY]

I've been able to switch Elegoo, Polymaker, and Overture carboard spools to the reusable spool without a problem. There might be others but I haven't used or confirmed if they work.

[@oleurgast730]

Sadly Sunlu/Jayo spools do not work.

[@CarlexDIY]

That sucks. Thanka for the info.

[@oleurgast730]

@@CarlexDIY Of course it sucks, but you just need another reusable spool, not a bambulab one. The core of Jayo spools has a few mm less inner diameter, so the bambulab spools do not fit inside. The Prusa spools use a bigger cardbox core, so they do not fit either. But as we obviously have a 3d printer, we could always design our own reusable spool ;-) One point: On my Prusa mk3/mk4 the filament runout sensor is inside the printhead. There is a problem with unloading the filament, if it had run out, if the filament has a kink at the end. In your video you actually removed the kink while transfering the spool. That solves this problem with mk3/mk4 as a nice side effect...

[@DragonLee07]

Did you have issues with your Elegoo filament spools in your AMS? I have gone through almost 4 cardboard Elegoo spools of PETG without issue even with two of the spools having slightly bent edges. It was my first time testing out cardboard spools in my AMS, using PETG, and using Elegoo filament. So far I'm happy I took the risk of ordering 10 spools from Elegoo for the discount for my first try with their filament.

[@CarlexDIY]

I had issues with it in my AMS lite as the inner part of the spool started cracking from being inserted too many times. It was not holding anymore and would fall out. And in the regular AMS, I had one that was crooked and used the printed rail covers and still came off. So Now I just don't even deal with it.

[@bibihassberg1570]

@@DragonLee07 Print several without any issues, but then it started and is present permanently. May some parts in the AMS worm out over time With the spoolswitch everything seems to work again (print still running atm)

[@DragonLee07]

@@bibihassberg1570 Good to know. I will have to keep this in mind.

[@DragonLee07]

@@CarlexDIY Thanks for sharing. I don't have an AMS lite, but that is good info.

[@bibihassberg1570]

@@DragonLee07 When you switch spools look carefully that is no fillament stuck between the plates - yes, learnt quickly a few Moments ago 🙄😅

[@dragonscales89]

AMS gears don’t play well with cardboard after many uses. It puts unnecessary wear and tear on it. Bambu provides these rolls to help the environment and money on their end.

[@CarlexDIY]

Well said.

[@Optikification]

I have tried respooling to these reusable holders but find my filament gets stuck down the edges between the spool wall and the part that goes through the filament.

[@CarlexDIY]

Are you using the elegoo filament? After respooling, it's a good idea to press the filament down down to make sure you don't get gaps. Doesn't happen often but it can happen.

[@CarlexDIY]

Found this link showing how to avoid the spaces. Step 4 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXO3lWRmerFgjtEsi=uZV9BNvIH-grDBVW&t=54

[@JoshuaRilliet]

Hello, apart from being used for Bambu, I can also see that it can allow the spools to unwind better even outside AMS, so where can we find the stl files for these PLA sides please?

[@CarlexDIY]

Well, I'm using the reusable spools that come with the Bambu filament. You can find printable spools on makerworld.com or the handy app.

[@JoshuaRilliet]

@CarlexDIY Great, thanks for the link 😉👍

[@eagleeyeproductions2317]

Will this work with other cardboard spools (brands) as well?

[@CarlexDIY]

I've done it with Elegoo, Polymaker, and Overture carboard spools without a problem. There might be others but I haven't used them yet.

[@jasonryals2560]

What about default bambu labs spool too big with inner core? I do the tape method but Esun cardboard ePLA-SS filament mainly. Is there a way to scale or adjust ? I used my digital caliper to measure the core ( from the inner and outer) outer core 59.2 inner 53.1 mm . The width of the spool is 61.4mm. I have found some spools that fit the core but the width of the spool is larger so after I remove the tape filament is loose.

[@CarlexDIY]

So you're saying the resuable spool is wider than the esun cardboard spool right? So it causes the filament to be loose when you transfer it? hmm I haven't used Esun yet. Would you be able to print a spacer or leave one side of the carboard in place to keep it tight?

[@DanielChaves1984]

Elegoo coats the edge of their spools so they don't dust, no need to do this on their cardboard spools

[@yeabutwecouldbefreer]

Unless Amazon packs them and bends them. Then they are a nightmare for og-ams

[@CarlexDIY]

That's what I was about to mention. Bent cardboard spools do happen. Also using them in the AMS lite that you have to stick them into the spool holder. The inner part of the cardboard spools starts wearing out and falls out.

[@DanielChaves1984]

@@yeabutwecouldbefreer bends them? All of my Elegoo spools have been in individual boxes that then have shipped in a larger box with bubble packaging whenever I have ordered from Amazon or when I have ordered from Elegoo themselves

[@yeabutwecouldbefreer]

@@DanielChaves1984 I get a vacuum packed cardboard spool or 2 in a way too big huge Amazon box with 1 small sheet of packing paper here in Phoenix. Bends in them every time. But I try to order in multiples of 4 now so they ship it in the original elegoo box. I also order 10pks directly from elegoo to get mostly bend free spools.

[@PrinterMcgee]

Almost every roll I've ordered, and it's a lot, have come bent. I have to use the Bambu spools.

[@beamle]

thanks man :)

[@CarlexDIY]

Happy to help

[@airleclair]

I did not know you could do that. 🤓

[@CarlexDIY]

"Knowing is half the battle" - GI Joe. 😆

[@Etherion195]

How do you hold the end in place? Especially if there's not much left on the spool?

[@CarlexDIY]

You can tuck the end piece in the little slot in the cardboard and lock it between the spool when you close it. Not too much or it could get stuck and AMS won't be able to break it free. So far I haven't had any issues leaving it free and it actually just rolls of easier when not tucked in. The AMS doesn't struggle to break it loose. But I can see how it might be an issue if there is only a little amount left and tries to rewind it.

[@Etherion195]

@@CarlexDIY ok, thank you, i didn't expect it to hold so well

[@theredstormer8078]

Anybody else notice elegoo's ASA smells more like burning styrofoam than other brands? I assume their ABS has the same issue but I've never tried it.

[@CarlexDIY]

Haven't tried their ASA or ABS. Besides the smell, how do you like it?

[@theredstormer8078]

@@CarlexDIY It's some pretty high quality stuff for the price. dryer out of the box than polymaker ASA for sure. I almost exclusively use ASA at this point because of it's strength and low viscosity. It's probably the best brand for the price if you don't care about the smell.

[@CarlexDIY]

@@theredstormer8078 I'll have to try it out. I haven't done ABS/ASA yet. I just ordered some Bambu ABS to check it out . I do like Elegoo other filaments so I will be giving that ASA a shot next. Thanks

[@theredstormer8078]

@@CarlexDIY no problem! I've also heard that ASA can get a little messy because of that low viscosity so just make sure your nozzle is good and tight if it's the threaded in type. If it's one of bambu's weird cartridge looking ones then it should be good to go.

[@lawrencemanning]

Seems like aggravation. Would it not be possible for the AMS to be improved to make it more compatible with different spool designs? Sounds like a design flaw. (Disclaimer: I’ve never used any Bambu printers)

[@NWGR]

Not a design flaw; the AMS is designed to work primarily with bambu filament. Bambu's own filament has an RFID tag that the AMS reads that automatically inputs the color and type. It's only an aggravation if you have to do it for every roll of filament. And cardboard spools will work with the AMS, you just have to make sure to clean out any cardboard dust in the AMS that comes off the rolls from use. Other brands of filament with plastic spools work fine as long as they're not too wide.

[@DudeNamedTim]

you can use cardboard spools in the AMS however Bambu says there can be cardboard particals created from the spool rotating/slowly breaking which can cause the machine to breakdown. I usually clean the AMS before a spool change though

[@CarlexDIY]

It's not really an aggravation for me. It takes me less than 1 minute to switch out the spools to reusable and I don't have to worry about bent cardboard rails or extra dust cleaning. I have seen that someone made a printable modified AMS replacements that's supposed to help with this and allows for wider spools, but I don't have a need for it.

[@anthonylong5870]

Bambu has a LOT of design flaws with their printers. I unknowingly bought 2 Bambus because of all the hype....Worst mistake purchase i have ever made

[@NWGR]

@@anthonylong5870 What flaws? And which printers? I have two A1s and two A1 minis and both have been reliable workhorses. I realize no printer is perfect, but bambu does most things right when it comes to their printers. They wouldn't have the following they do if they had creality reliability...