Reuse your cardboard spools to make a convenient and useful storage system. Each pod is connected to the filament spool with a connector pin that is inserted into the drawer then clicked into the spool.  The fit for the connector into the drawer is snug on purpose.  It aids in keeping the drawers closed.  Additionally, the drawers are intended to fit snug as well, for the same reason.

You can download my stackable spinning connector system for this system at

[https://makerworld.com/en/models/1109459#profileId-1105798](https://makerworld.com/en/models/1109459#profileId-1105798)

This drawer system and the connectors listed above can also be used in combination with the LED lamp I designed that can be found at [https://makerworld.com/en/models/1270818-modular-cardboard-spool-led-lamp#profileId-1297504](https://makerworld.com/en/models/1270818-modular-cardboard-spool-led-lamp#profileId-1297504)

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• If you find that this system works for a spool brand not listed as “working”, please let me know so I can update the model page to reflect that brand
• If you want to mail empty spools to me do help make this system compatible with a certain brand of spool, please PM me on here
• If you don't want to mail empty spools, but have a set of calipers and can get me specific measurements and are willing to do some testing (which might include printing several components a few times), please PM me

ATTENTION

If you are having trouble with your connectors being too tight or have a different brand of spool and need a different size connector, I have created an OpenSCAD program that allows you to create custom connectors right here on MakerWorld at the click of a button.  You can find it here:  [https://makerworld.com/en/models/1109550#profileId-1105909](https://makerworld.com/en/models/1109550#profileId-1105909)

Currently Confirmed Works

eSun

eSun Elite

SOVOL

Inland

3DHoJor

Overture ** The rear corner rubs the inner spool wall on opening and closing…kind of a decent amount requiring some light force to close it.  On the plus side, the drawer stays completely locked in and closed.

Currently Confirmed NOT Working

PolyMaker

PolyTerra

Creality Hyper

Elegoo

Deeplee

Installation

To install the drawers, insert the connector pin directly into the drawer from the top down.  You will see a place where  the drawer is inset to accept the wide part of the connector.  This is to keep the connector from falling out through the bottom.  Once the connector is fully in the drawer, you can insert the drawer into the spool and put the protruding connector ends into the filament spool holes.

2025.02.14

• The connector pins for the eSun spools have been narrowed to fit easier into the drawers
• Compatibility with SOVOL spools has been confirmed.
• A set of connectors have been added for SOVOL spools
• Polymaker/Polyterra spools have been verified as incompatible.  I will be looking into adding compatibility for these in a later release

WILL THIS WORK WITH MY SPOOLS?

Let’s start with what we know works…

Currently confirmed to work

• eSun
• eSun Elite
• SOVOL

Now, the bad news, what we know does not currently work

• PolyMaker
• PolyTerra
• Elegoo
• Creality Hyper

It is my goal to get as many brands and sizes working as possible.  It will take time.  If you would like to help test or mail me empty spools so I can measure and test them, please PM me.

Back to the original question…do these fit your spools?

We need a few measurements. It is important to understand that there are several key measurements at play and even a small deviation on certain ones would cause a fitment issue.  Below, I will cover the measurements needed, how to get them, and if there is any wiggle room with that measurement.  Please note that most of these measures need to be taken several times to confirm as calipers are very sensitive.  Be sure you are holding the spool level and the calipers level and perpendicular to the spool.  Do not press too tightly.  Try to get the calipers to  “just touch lightly”.  My measurements in the images below are for demo0nstration only, my technique was sloppy because I was holding the camera and the calipers and trying to balance the spool…I should have asked for help ☹

Overall Spool Diameter

This one is fairly standard amongst most spools (not just the cardboard ones).  200mm or close to it is the most common for 1kg spools.  This measurement is not incredibly important if it’s close…provided you don’t need the outside of the drawer to exactly line up to the edge of the spool.  The drawers are fitted to a 200mm spool.

How do you measure this?

Spool Outside Height

This measure is important when determining if the connector pins will fit or how long custom connectors need to be made.  In combination with the thickness of the side, this will also determine the inner height which is a critical measure.

How do you measure this?

Inner Height

This is a critical measure. There is a little wiggle room if your spool is taller than the drawer height, almost one if your drawer height is lower.  This is the opening that will accommodate the drawers.

How do you measure this?

The next “measurement” isn’t quite a measurement at all, but more a feature of the spool.  How many holes does it have on top.  There needs to be a minimum of two groups of two holes on opposite sides of the spool.

What is a group of holes? (see the image below for and illustration

Highlighted in green, you will see two groups of two holes directly opposite of each other. This is required, at a minimum.  You will see highlighted in red where there might also be a group of more holes.  It is OK if your spools have holes there too. If you have three groups of holes spaced a third of the way around the spool, this drawer system will not work for that spool.  Not in it’s current version.  I do plan to add support for those types of spools at some point as well.

If you have any questions about fitment, installation, want to help test, want to email me an empty spool to build drawers that fit that model, please PM me (you can leave a comment below, but I will be more likely to see a PM).

Related Model By Other Designers

@froggomad has developed a small cup for the top center hold of the spool for additional storage.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/1103319#profileId-1098765