Creality K1 mod: filament spool side cradle

The rear spool holder is a problem of K1 well known to anyone who doesn’t keep the printer in the middle of the room.

While the majority of existing mods try to move the spool rod to the side wall — which was not really engineered to carry the load — this design takes a different approach by replacing the rod with a cradle and providing better structural support. This also means you don't need extra space to the right when changing a spool!

You will need

• One M3×12 mm screw and two M3×8 mm screws (flathead preferred)

• Four 608 bearings (optional)

• 250 g of PLA for the main parts

• 40 g (when using bearings) or 60 g (otherwise) of PETG/PLA for the rollers

• 50 g of TPU for the feet (optional)

Printing

• No support required

• 4 wall loops recommended for the mounting plate (mostly due to the hooks)

• Use random seam placement for the roller parts

Assembly

• Remove the original bolts and attach the mounting plate

• Assemble the rollers - choose one of the alternatives:

  • with bearings: fully insert the bearings into the rollers

  • with no bearings: assemble the roller parts and make sure they rotate smoothly; lightly sand them if needed

• Remove the embedded supports marked with X on the cradle and clean the holes from any messy overhangs

• Install the roller parts onto the cradle pins

• Secure the rollers with the inserts

• (Optional) install the TPU feet

• Slide the assembly onto the mounting plate, aligning the upper hook first

Making the best of it

• You may want to use one of the filament sensor side mounts available here on Printables, along with a longer PTFE tube

• Nothing is perfect, no matter how hard you try. Your constructive feedback is highly appreciated!

Updates

• 2026-05-13 - removed v1 and made instructions more clear

• 2026-04-10 - v2 introduces support for the bearings. The PETG rollers can still be used (updated version is available).