This is the gear motor I bought - "12V DC 0.5A 120RPM High Torque Gear Box Electric Motor 37mm" The specific listings seem to come and go, but the specs are in the ballpark. Stick with 37mm to have it fit the mount.
This is the voltage regulator he used, still available - http://www.ebay.com/itm/180914591883?ss … 1439.l2649
Tim, did you buy more than one line laser? I've been thinking about a way to track the filament size as it spools-
If you get the filament right up on the laser, and get enough throw distance, you can get a pretty wide gap, and therefore bigger changes. It would require a mount that will hold the filament in place against the laser as it feeds past, but that could be done pretty easily with spring loaded idler bearings.
I was wanting to avoid getting a microprocessor involved, but if the bigger gear ratio I'm trying later doesn't work out I think it might be better to drive the haul off roller with a stepper rather than a DC motor.
The haul off spooler could make a nice kit on its own as an accessory. The Filastruder works on its own, and you can get good tolerances but it is fiddly and conditions have to be just right for the filament to pile up properly. You have to just get out of its way, any effort to make it go where you want ultimately ends in disaster. It might seem be cooperating with you for awhile, but then it will change direction, twist around and screw everything up.
The spooler, if the accuracy can get dialed in, would make it easy to directly control the dimensions, keep them consistent, and keep the filament off the floor.
