How to Make a Spool Holder

by alomba2014 in Workshop > Organizing

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How to Make a Spool Holder

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To clarify quickly, by spool I mean wire, solder, tape (specifically masking and or duct tape), or anything dispensable with a hole through it.

What you need:
1/2" PVC Pipe (Total: 52 1/2"):
     
2 - 12 inch
     2 - 6 inch
     2 - 4 inch
     4 - 2 inch
     2 1/4 inch
1/2" PVC Fittings:
     4 -  90 degree elbows
Wooden Dowels:
     
2 - 8 1/2" long by 5/8" diameter
Wood:
     
1 - 2"x6"x24"
3D Printed Parts:
     
2 cored cylinders - 3" diameter; 3/4" high; 7/8" center hole
Tools:
     
Router with a 7/8" or slightly smaller bit
     PVC cutter
     Sand paper
     Saw
     Dremel

Cut the Pipes

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Cut your total 52" of PVC pipe into 2-12" lengths, 2-6" lengths, 2- 4" lengths, 4- 2" lengths.

Drill Some Holes

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Use the router to drill holes that are 7/8".  If you are like us and do not own a 7/8 bit, use the Dremel to enlarge the holes.
The center points of the 2 front holes should be 7/8" away from the front edge and 6 3/8" away from the sides.
The center points of the 2 side holes should be half (2 3/4") of the width and 2 1/2" from the edge.
The center points of the 2 rear holes should be 7/8" away from the rear edge and 6 3/8" away from the sides.
If the holes are too big, glue can be used to ensure a snug fit.

Cut the Dowel Holders

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The dowel holders are a unique piece designed to allow easy replacement of the spools by having them "snap" on.  
Take a 2" long PVC pipe and mark 1" in from one side.
Cut a little less than halfway through and stop and remove the pipe.
Cut the pipe sideways to the previous cut you made.
Do the same thing on the other side of the pipe
If necessary, sand down the edges of the pipe to ensure a snug fit.
repeat for the other three 2" long pipes.

Cut the Clips

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Take the 1/4" PVC pipes and cut out a chunk about a third of the circumference down the side.  It does not need to be exact, it just needs to be able to snap securely onto a piece of PVC.

Connect Everything

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Insert the two long (12") pipes in the rear 2 holes and attach an elbow to each of them.
Insert the two medium  (6") pipes in the front 2 holes and attach an elbow to each of them.
insert the two small (4") pipes in the side 2 holes and attach a clip to each of them.
Slide the 3D printed part onto the 4" pipes.
Insert one dowel clip into each elbow with the cut part pointing out.
Snap the dowels into the clips.
 

3D Parts

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Snap the dowels into the clips.

You're Done!

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If the masking or duct tape is slightly too small for the 3D part, you can wrap tape around the perimeter of the part to slightly increase its dimensions.