Manage 3D Printer Filament Spools With Zip Ties

As I am sure many people are, I am short on maker space in my condo and could manage 3d printer spools better. This Instructable came out of the necessity of hanging my 3D printer and spools out of the way when I wasn't using them. My work area is almost entirely populated by wire shelving, so unless yours is too, this idea might not be too helpful for you.

What you will need:

• Zip Ties
• 3D Printer Filament Spool
• Wire Clippers

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Step 1: Make a Giant Tie

Using two long zip ties, connect the ends together to form a larger zip tie. Insert this through the hole in the spool, leaving some excess to hang down along the side of the spool. This will keep the spool from tilting on the zip tie once it is hung from the wire shelving.

Step 2: Hang and Trim

Take the open ends of the zip tie and thread them around a wire on the wire shelving. Trim any excess. The spool should hang free without too much slack in the ties for lateral movement. Thread the end through the V-like wires at the end of the shelf. This will keep filaments from different spools from crossing. As you can see from the picture, the printer and spools hang out of the way when not in use, and when in use, it is a simple matter to pull the filament from the shelf end down to the printer. As the printer uses filament, it will roll smoothly off the spool.