Help opening Bambu spool (white)

Bambu Filament and Accesories Accesories
1

Somewhat trivial, but I am unable to open two of the white Bambu spools. They came with filament which has been used, so it’s just the spool and the cardboard inside.

I have a transparent one that opens easily, but the two white ones will not untwist. Any suggestions for me?

Thanks.

2

I don’t think Bambu spools come with the locking tab that we see on DIY printable spools, but it’s worth to check. In the center of the spool, where the 2 halves come together, there may be a tab that you’d need to pull to unscrew the two halves.

Look at the link below, top comment has some info on this: Bambu Reusable Spool with holes by Davewilhelm - MakerWorld

If your spool does not have this, or no other locking tabs, I’d say take a picture of it and show us, so we know what spool you have to better understand your issue.

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Thanks, Kioto.

I checked the link (thanks for that), and, no, my spools don’t have that extra tab.

The white spools just seem stuck for some reason. I may try something like WD-40 on them, but I’ll hold off on that in case another idea pops up.

I’ll try to add a pic later on, but they pretty much look like the inside of the spool at the link you sent (without the locking tab, obs).

4

These spools click, some of them have a stronger click than others, I’m sure you’re using plenty of elbow grease? You got these spools from Bambu?

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Oh, yes. I’m not the only one that’s tried, unfortunately.

And, also yes – they are both spools of filament that came from Bambu and that I used up the filament (hence the cardboard still on them).

Thanks, again.

6

Did you try a spool wrench yet?

I have not needed one myself but remembered a post in the forum. IIRC, it was about this one:

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Thanks, Eno.

That looks like just what I need. I did not know it even existed.

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8

Following up on this, were you able to open the spool? If so, what was the issue?

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Hi, Kioto,

Thanks for asking – and I mean that literally because I saw your post in my email notifications and it gave me incentive to put all the parts together.

And Yes! it worked.

I used the link Eno had posted, printing the vise version on my A1 mini. Then had to wait for the pins to arrive (which they did yesterday).

One of the spools looks a tad beat up, but the other one seems ok. The issue seems to have been they were just really stuck. Maybe assembled just a bit off at the factory? No obvious flaws, though.

Nice to have them useable now since I ordered refills from Bambu last week.

Thanks again.

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Ah great news! Glad to hear you were able to take them apart. When you put the two halves together empty, is it hard to get a click out of them?

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One closes ok and feels snug but no click. The other I haven’t tried. I think they may be a bit damaged or perhaps not perfect when they were sent out. Note that these came when I bought my A1 (not the mini) back when it came out.

I think I’ll print a lock for it, to be on the safe side.

I had to wear my forging gloves to get enough of a grip to untwist them, so they were really stuck. I’m not sure others would have the same problem.

Edited for typos.

12

Okay that’s interesting. I’ve had a spool open on me inside the AMS, it’s not fun. I personally wouldn’t risk using those spools even with the locking tab, just not worth the hassle for me.