Snap-together PTFE/rubber/silicone tube cutter that’s precise, safe, and seriously satisfying
It’s been about a year since I designed the original Bowden Puck. While it has become very popular, back then I was just getting started with 3D printing and CAD.
Now? I know a bit more, so it felt like time for an upgrade.
Enter: The Bowden Puck Pro.
It’s smarter, grippier, more versatile—and still slices PTFE tubes like a hot knife through butter. Only now it also handles other small-diameter tubing like rubber and silicone.
In short: it’s better in (almost) every way.
If you liked the original, this is everything it should’ve been the first time around.
What’s New?
- Easier alignment – Guide hole and blade alignment now lock in with satisfying snaps
- More stable operation – No more wandering; alignment stays put
- More sizes – Supports tubing from 3–7.9mm OD
- Clearly labeled – Size markings on both top and bottom
- Even grippier – Aggressive diagonal knurling = serious grip (gloves welcome)
- Smarter knurling – Optimized for actual direction of force
- More consistent prints – Tweaked models and profiles for better reliability
- Easier blade removal – Side notches allow use of a flathead (10mm / SL10) for separation
Features
- Safe – Blade is enclosed and not directly accessible to fingers (Note: exposure increases with larger tube sizes)
- Grippy –No slipping, even under pressure
- No screws – Snap-fit assembly, just the way it should be
- Multi-size design – Each puck includes 7 guide holes (the 12 o’clock hole is the labeled size and each subsequent hole increases by +0.15mm clockwise)
- Clearly labeled sizing – Example: “4” = 4.0–4.9mm range
- Actually looks good – This is a tool you won’t hide in a drawer
- Standard blades – Uses common safety razors you can find anywhere
Important Printing Notes
- The guide includes long overhangs – Bambu Studio may warn about a floating cantilever; this is safe to ignore as it won’t affect function
- Print time estimates – Profile includes five different sizes on five plates, but a single puck for PTFE is a ~90 minute print
- Tolerances are intentionally tight – Make sure your printer is dialed in
- The guide has a break-in period – Rotation will get smoother with use over time
- Avoid brittle filaments like PLA Matte – The spring mechanism of the guide needs durability
Assembly
- Choose your size (e.g., 4mm puck = 4.0–4.9mm range and is ideal for Bambu's PTFE tubes)
- Print both halves
- Rub a crayon along the guide’s detent wall (Yes, really. It makes a huge difference in smoothness and there's an illustration in the model's photos. No crayon? Just borrow one from a neighbor’s kid.)
- Carefully insert a new razor blade
- Press the halves together (You may need to press hard, and please watch your fingers.)
- (Optional) Admire your work, and the tool
- Rotate a few times to break it in
- Test fit your tube across a few holes from the outside of the guide
- Align the guide/holder protrusions
- Insert the tube fully through the guide and eyelet
- Rotate to cut
- Optional: mark your most-used hole with a permanent marker along the guide hole chamfer and/or its protrusion
Tube Fit & Tuning
You’re aiming for a slight friction fit.
If needed:
- Too tight? +0.025mm X-Y Hole Compensation
- Too loose? −0.025mm
Reprint the guide until it feels just right.
Important: adjust Hole Compensation, not Contour Compensation
More info: Bambu Studio: X-Y Hole Compensation
Changelog:
April 30, 2026: Improve closeness of cut (thank you @boggisthecat for investigating!)
Bink3D
