MakerGear Forum

I have never read about anyone doing this, so I figure I would share.
I was designing a new spool mount for my M2 that would use bearings. There are lots of spool center deigns on the web but I needed the mount. After reinventing the spool center, as I wanted to design it myself, I was going to buy a 1/2 aluminum rod, drill and tap the end and mount it using the center unthread hole in the M2 frame, where the existing mount is.
Before I went in search of said rod, I make a plastic mount that would bolt up where the original one is using the same 4 screws. Now an 80mm long 1/2 printed rod, even at 100% infill (PETG) is not going to be all that strong and could get snapped off.
My fix was to add the proper sized hole with counter sink to accept a 2 1/2" decking screw, which made this plastic shaft really stiff and strong. I did not try and break it, but I am guessing it will not snap even if I tried. Like rebar after the fact..
Hope someone finds this idea helpful, I know I will be far more willing to print rods if I can make the strong enough for the job at hand.
Doug

Excellent idea! Another possibility is the orientation of the rod while printing. Does it really need to be round? Or will a hexagon or octagon work?

This was to replace the stock spool holder on my M2 with a 2 part bearing setup.. Bearing is 1/2" ID so rod needed to be 1/2 and round.