1 Topic by TheBaron

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Topic: Threaded pulley for braid line

Hey guys!

I was thinking about switching over to braided fishing line (since I have everything out to replace the carriages anyway), and while i was surfing the internet I found this:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:49971

Basically, the guy has printed some pulleys for his braided line that are threaded. As the pulley spins, the line stays in its groove to prevent tangling. I thought it was pretty clever, though I am not a fan of the idea of printed pulleys in general.

My question to you guys (as the people who have actually done the fishing line mod) is whether or not tangling is an occasional issue. If it is, it might be worth it to get some threaded rod or cut some threads in a bearing or some such. If tangling isn't an issue, I will keep the crappy solidoodle pulleys for the moment and just use fishing line over them.

I do have some GT2 belts and pulleys laying around, but they're for my shapeoko upgrade and I am using that as an excuse to go fishing line instead.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

2 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Threaded pulley for braid line

No tangles or slipping with the stock pulleys.  Just wrap around the drive pulley three times an you're good to go.

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3 Reply by jagowilson (edited by jagowilson 2015-05-21 18:05:06)

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Re: Threaded pulley for braid line

The first time you wrap it up you might tangle it because the stuff is hard to manage. But you'll know, because the axes won't move very far if your loops are self-intersecting. Once you wrap it and get it tight enough, it doesn't tangle up or lose tension even at pretty high tensions and speed.

Printed pulleys are a bad idea unless you intend to acetone smooth them for strength. 80 lb test from sufix (what wardjr and I use) can cut you at high tensions, and it will slice right through plastic. The stock nylon pulleys will work better. As many wraps as needed around the drive pulley and just a pass over the idler. I've noticed the aluminum pulleys don't work well as idlers with fishing line also--it tends to just slip past instead of gripping in the teeth and turning the pulley.

4 Reply by TheBaron

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Re: Threaded pulley for braid line

Good to know. I figured the problem with threaded pulleys would be that the plastic ones would get worn by the line and any metal ones would wear down on the line. Trying to avoid sharp surfaces where possible.

I'll be stopping at Cabela's or Dick's on the way home to pick up some sufix line. I was having motion issues and removed my old belts to find that they were a stretched out, warped mess. It's hard to get a good vref setting on a new board when your carriages will barely move by hand!

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

5 Reply by TheBaron

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Re: Threaded pulley for braid line

Picked up some 65 lb test cabela's branded line (it was on sale for $10 a roll as opposed to the sufix $22). Hopefully I'll have the new carriages and everything in place tonight and will be able to do some test motion.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)