Ender 5 Ridiculously Wobbly Top Mount Spool Holder for Direct-Drive Extruders

Ender 5 Ridiculously Wobbly Top Mount Spool Holder for Direct Drive Extruders

NOTICE: 2025-March -- i'm still using my original print; however, i find it has warped and twisted a bit. i have propped it up a bit mechanically, but it should be redesigned to be somewhat thicker. maybe taper narrow on top to wide on bottom. Alternatively, maybe some mount-points and end-pints for rods (Same type used in my Practical Bed Stabilizer https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4828194)

This my Ender 5 top-mount spool extension. Parts uploaded here are improvements on my design that i have been using for some time now. For the Ender5, both the mount and the extension are needed to gain enough length for good spool placement. This is designed to re-use the metal spool holder included with the Ender5. The connector slots are friction fit and I have not needed any bolts to hold them together. However, the mount onto the 20x40 (Two 20x20's) do require bolting. I have provided 6 holes, but end-user could certainly make due with 3 bolts total.

• Before proceeding, Z-braces will be a prerequisite for your printer's future printing. Otherwise massive Z-ringing in prints will result, due to the weight and bounce of the filament-spools pulling on this spool-holder.

• Recommend printing this Spool Holder in PETG for strength. At least 2.5mm wall thickness and 2mm top/bottom thickness.

• Parts Provided:

  • Top Mount partA with word NERD embedded.
  • Top Mount partB with word MEGA embedded.
  • Top mount partA template for remixing, not for printing.
  • Top Mount partB template for remixing, not for printing.
  • Washer-adapter if using 12mm M4 bolts.

• Designing your own Font in TinkerCAD

  • Shape Generators>All>Custom Font text. type desired text, and upload font file (.TTF, etc)

• Highly recommend the following:

  • Three to six (3-6) M4 bolts and accompanying nuts -- I used 12mm M4 with the 3D printed washer-adapters included here, but shorter bolts without adapter is preferable.
  • Possibly two (2) 12mm M4 bolts and nuts for securing the two printed extensions together. I did not need this for a long time, but recently added a single bolt for extra security. The friction-fit performed very well.
  • M4 T-Nuts: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4869053 (very tight)
  • Two optional hardware M4 nuts for securing metal spool holder to printed extension.
  • Spool Filament Guides: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4873647
  • No Fuss Spool Expander: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4199118 (This limits spool rocking due to filament pulling.)
  • Z-Braces, 4 to 6 recommended. (There are many designs, but i printed the 95mm version here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4196635)

• Assembly:

  • Recommend pre-screwing bolts into 3D printed lock nuts for fitment, then unscrew.
  • Slide the lock-nuts into the channels strategically before assembling.
  • Connect partB into partA by sliding and force-fitting. May need rubber mallet or hammer-fisting. Optionally bolt them together.
  • Loosely bolt assembly onto Ender5 as pictured.
  • Align mount just left of motor and tighten bolts as needed, do not over-tighten.
  • Completely Un-assemble metal spool-holder if not already done.
  • Connect bare metal spool holder onto partB by sliding and force-fitting. Use original M4 screws and some M4 nuts to secure.
  • Slide Filament guide over metal spool holder.
  • Assemble plastic spool cylinder onto metal spool-holder.
  • Assemble optional 3D printed spool expander onto plastic-cylinder making sure the lip is upright.

Remix this here: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/d6pHN77M7PV
Clips-only for remixing: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/8aIg2rKkES0

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