I wanted to create a spool cradle/roller for a dry box I am making. I had a couple of odd sized spools, so I figured that I'd create something that would work with every spool size that I may ever encounter, except those larger than 1kg.

A brief internet search revealed that the largest commonly available spool diameter seems to be 210mm, and the smallest 160mm. Widths vary between 80mm and 50mm, but this is less of an issue.

This roller will adjust between 210mm-160mm in 5 increments. This should be sufficient to allow any spool falling between those two diameters (and possibly spools that are slightly larger or smaller) to be used. Simply find the setting which seats the spool securely whilst keeping the bottom of the spool off of the ground.

The roller also collapses when not needed, and no glues or fasteners are required.

Print the following files in the material of your choice (I used PLA at 0.20mm layer height)

• 1 * Cradle - right side
• 1 * Cradle - left side
• 2 * Sliding support
• 3 * Cross brace

You will need to enable supports, but I found it best to print with the bearing recesses pointing up (as shown in the disassembled photo), to ensure that these are round and give the best fit for the bearings

To build this you will also need:

• 4 * 608 bearings.
• 8mm O.D. aluminium rod or tube cut into two 98mm lengths.
• 8mm I.D. (10-15mm O.D) rubber or silicone tubing cut into two 81mm lengths.

The rubber/silicone tubing slides over the aluminium rods as seen in the photos. The O.D. of the tubing I used was 13mm, but anything between 10-15 O.D. will be OK.

The bearings are push-fit into the model and are a snug fit.

I have provided STEP files to allow more people to remix or adjust as required to use different bearings/rods etc.

I hope that someone finds this useful, and I'd love to see your makes.