Elfa Utility Board Tape Dispenser - Serrated Insert Version

I made an alternative tape dispenser body for the Elfa Utility Board Tape Dispenser I posted.

NOTE:This model is just the Tape Reel body. You'll need the rest of the parts from the main design.

This version has the modeled in serrations removed in favor of a metal, serrated insert from a cheap, plastic packing tape dispenser. This type of dispenser is fairly ubiquitous in the United States, and probably fairly common elsewhere. They're also cheap, costing well under $5 in a lot of cases. The opening in this design will accommodate a 50mm or smaller width blade. The blade I purloined already had the bend in it which made it absolutely perfect for this.

While I'm not keen on wrecking one thing to make another, I found online that replacement tape cutting blades were ridiculously expensive. In some cases cost more than the dispenser it's intended for themselves. That and the plastic serrations just couldn't cut the Kapton tape. Although I think other tapes like masking and cello will likely be just fine.

To install the blade into the dispenser:

1. Carefully remove the blade from the purchased dispenser. Use some flush cutters to remove the heat staked sprue.
2. Carefully insert the blade into the slot and press down on a safe surface to make sure it fully seats.

My wife deserves full credit for this. She reminded me that the packing tape dispenser had a metal, serrated blade and best of all, I could have it.

Print instructions

This prints the same as the original, I sliced and printed using PETG.