Fishing line spooler (for 600-660yd spools)

09/17/22 update: If the wingnut continues to loosen when the spool spins, you can rotate the base 180% and flip the fishing line spool 180%. Or you can add an extra jam nut before screwing on the wing nut.

After overpaying for 200yd spools for nearly a decade, I finally spent the money and bought my first 600yd spool of fishing line. Bespoke spoolers on Amazon and Tackle Warehouse either look ridiculous or are $50-150 so I decided to design my own.

The top part is my design. Most of the hardware can be found at Home Depot. The clamp is HD_Creator's Table clamp for miniature vice 3.0 => 100% printed model.

Print notes:

• Printed with Prusament PETG
• 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm Quality layer height/print setting
• Perimeters: 3 for hexagonal base, 2 for axle and spacer
• Infill: 70% rectilinear for hexagonal base, 20% rectilinear for axle and spacer
• Supports everywhere (see screenshot for slightly modified “bobstro's support settings”)
• I tried printing the hexagonal base flipped on its side 90* for added strength, but two of the hexagonal sides warped and I could not prevent it. Printing the model right-side-up looks better and has not broken.
• Print the table clamp using the provided model settings

Build of Materials:

• 5/16 in.-18 x 4-1/2 in. Zinc Plated Carriage Bolt (Qty: 1)
• 5/16 in. Stainless Steel Flat Washer (Qty: 1)
• 5/16 in.-18 Zinc Plated Jam Nut (Qty: 1)
• 1 in. x 0.406-0.687 in. x 0.041 in. Cone Compression Spring (Qty: 1)
• 5/16 in. x 1-1/4 in. Stainless Steel Fender Washer (Qty: 3)
• 5/16 in. 18 Zinc Plated Wing Nut (Qty: 1)
• M3 (3mm) x 0.5 Zinc-plated Steel Hex Nut (Qty: 3)
• M3 x 12mm Thread 304 Hex Socket Head Cap Screw Bolt (Qty: 3)
• Small rectangle of foam shelf gripper/liner (optional)

BOM notes: 

1. Zinc-plated hardware should be fine for indoor use; upgrade to stainless steel if the spooler will be used outdoors.
2. The M3 bolts and nuts are identical to the hardware that comes with the Prusa MK3S+ kit and spare parts bundle.
3. You can find the 5/16-in. hardware at Home Depot, Lowes and other hardware stores. However, I could only find the cone compression spring at Home Depot.

Assembly notes:

• Attach the hexagonal base to the clamp — in any of the 8 orientations — before sliding the spool onto the axle.
• See photo with all the hardware laid out. Insert carrier bolt into printed hexagonal spooler and affix each piece in the order and orientation shown from left to right.
• If you do not follow the specific order shown, the wing nut will likely loosen when the spool spins. Update: see note atop the Description.
• Tightening the wing nut will increase tension on the spool.