Make your own 3D printer spool bearing - with standard Lego parts

A bearing for your filament spool reduces friction and will undoubtedly improve the performance of your 3D printer, and here's a seriously budget option for making your own - using just spare Lego parts, strapped to a standard holder - and it really works!
Better still, you can 3D print your own body for a stronger, more rigid version, optimised for standard cardboard spools, also using the same Lego wheels and axles. The downloadable .stl file for which is available on my website here: paterpracticus.com/3d-print-u...
Lego parts are as follows:
Plate 2x4 - 3020
Flat Tile 2x4 - 87079
Brick 1x2 w/2 holes - 32000 (2 off)
Technic Half-beam Lever 1x4 - 63782 (4 off)
Conector Peg w. Friction - 61332 (4 off)
Connector Peg / Cross Axle - 6562 (4 off)
Flanged pulley wheel - 30155 (4 off) - Discontinued, but available from ebay etc. (Search by part no.)
Other wheel options:
Rim narrow 18x7 - 13971
Rim wide 18x14 - 20896
Time codes:
0:00 Introducing...
0:27 ...my DIY Lego spool bearing...
0:48 ...and looking ahead to the 3D printed version
0:56 The bits
1:16 The build
2:34 Attaching the bearing to the holder...
3:37 ...and to the printer
3:46 Mounting the filament spool and testing
3:59 Introducing the 3D printed version
4:22 .stl file and download link
4:30 Printing the new body
4:45 Adding axles and wheels
5:10 Mounting the 3D printed bearing unit
5:45 Alternative Lego wheels for different spools
6:12 Conclusion

[@RoccosStuff]

Very clever, well done!

[@paterpracticus]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@audioreviews7517]

thanks for the information I'm about to get my first 3d printer and I was wondering if something like this wold be useful.

[@paterpracticus]

Not something you’ll need straight away, but worth considering - particularly with less expensive printers - where coaxing a little bit of extra performance really helps.