Stronger Ratcheting Toothpaste Tube Squeezer

Update

For those of you who wanted a larger tube squeezer that can accommodate much larger tubes, I have created a new model for this purpose. You can find it here. 

******

This stronger ratcheting toothpaste tube roller comes in four sizes for tubes of many widths: 35mm, 50mm, 65mm, and 75mm. It should accommodate most types of tubes. 

I love the ratcheting tube rollers that others have made. But I broke several of them by squeezing too hard with my hand while rolling them up with the ratchet. They tend to break along layer lines, primarily because most of them are printed standing up. This version is designed to be stronger. It also fixes the shaft and nut that screws onto the end of it. Many of them have threads that are too fine, and don't print well. 

Assembly: Look at the “exploded view” pictures included at the bottom of this page. The photos show how the parts should be put together. After printing, let the parts cool down completely, and work them gently at first. The wingnut does not need to be super tight. 

Instructions for use: After assembly (see below) insert your tube (toothpaste, ointment, or whatever) into the slot at the back of the squeezer, and then through the center slot in the shaft. It should go all of the way through the shaft and stick out a bit. Then you can turn the ratcheting handle to tighten as much as you need. When you need to replace your tube, remove the wingnut, and pull the shaft back just far enough that the ratchet disengages. At that point, the shaft will spin freely, and you can pull the tube back out the way it came.

This version is strong, and includes the following changes:

• Redesigned to print laying down. This makes it stronger, with long horizontal layer lines, rather than short vertical lines. I changed the geometry so that it avoids most overhangs and prints well laying down. It prints just fine without supports.
• The plastic is a bit thicker, also contributing to strength. 
• I made the slot in the side of the main body wider, because I had some toothpaste tubes that would not fit. This version will accommodate more types of tubes. Not just toothpaste!
• I also made the slot in the shaft wider. 
• I made the threads on the shaft and the corresponding nut coarser, so they print more reliably and tighten easily.
• There is a new wingnut cap that is easier to turn. 
• The largest version has a shaft that is pretty long for the twisting tension that could be applied to it. Treat it gently (don't tighten too much), and it should work fine. 

I printed in PETG. PLA should work for everything except the ratchet piece. 

The print profile includes everything you need to make this work. But I only uploaded stl files for the parts that I modified. If you want stl files for the ratchet, you can get those from Luke's 3D excellent original Ratchet Toothpaste Tube Squeezer. If you want the stl file for the bigger handle, you can get that from dsnineteen's fantastic Bigger Handle for Ratchet Toothpaste Tube Squeezer. I did not change any of these other components.