Prusa spool basket

Tooling for converting your Prusa spool into backet.

First, ,print the three parts of the forming tooling. I prined the parts in PETG with a 0.3mm layer height and 20% infill. The more heat-resistant printing material, the better its durability (I think it will be better with ASA, ABS or PC) but PETG does the job.

Next, after dismantling the spool, you have to cut off the protrusions on the sides to get a flat disc.

Pre-heat your oven arround 180°C (the glass transition temperature of the PC in which the spool are made).

Do not use a kitchen oven. PC contains bisphenol A (BPA), which is an endocrine disruptor and potentially carcinogenic. I use a dedicated oven for my DIY projects (epoxy paint, spool drying, etc.).

Place de spool disc on parchment paper in the oven at 180°C for approximately 10 minutes.

After that, place the disc on forming tool 1 and tighten it with forming tool 2 and an M8x30mm screw and nut.

Finally, using the forming tool 3, apply pressure to the hot disc to deform it and keep it compressed for few minutes so that the plastic of the spool cools and solidifies. This operation must be carried out fairly quickly before the plastic of the spool cools below 160°C.

There you go, all you have to do is disassemble all forming tools and insert the cap in the center of the spool to enjoy a great storage basket.

Due to the non-homogenous geometry of the spool disc, the result is a random and unique piece.