Airsoft Pellet Bearing Kite Reel Winder

myminifactory

This is kinda sorta a remix of the excellent "Parametric Bearing for Air Soft BBs": https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1799757 but it's so far removed from that it's essentially it's own thing. I couldn't have done it without StreetPiet's excellent work though! This kite reel/winder is awesome. It'll easily hold 1000 feet of 50lbs line (I have 500ft of it in some of the photos). It's also quite easy to print and assemble! It's also a bit of a fidget toy if you don't put any line on it... It's fun to just spin it around and around! More importantly: IT IS COMPLETELY WATERPROOF. Seriously, water (and sand to a lesser extent) won't hurt it in the slightest. It cannot rust because the bearing uses Airsoft pellets which are plastic. Enjoy a rust-free kite flying experience! I've tested flying kites with it and it works wonderfully. "Reel fast" to bring your kites in and even small kites can pull themselves up out of the reel without much resistance (it's smoooooooth and low friction). There's two versions of the kite winder included: Hearts ("Airsoft Kite Winder-Bottom Outside Hearts.stl" and "Airsoft Kite Winder-Top Hearts") Lines ("Airsoft Kite Winder-Bottom Outside Lines.stl" and "Airsoft Kite Winder-Top Lines.stl"). The bottom middle section (the part you hold on to) is the same for both. Hence it is named, "Airsoft Kite Winder-Bottom Inside Universal.stl". Videos I've made some videos with some assembly instructions and tips but really, it's not rocket science (you'll figure it out): Demonstration: https://youtu.be/N0Ny52rMRNw Tip: Sand The Seams: https://youtu.be/5QSOxoE7Y3g Bearing Assembly: https://youtu.be/ueLuK6rByXs Tip: Nut Insersion: https://youtu.be/KfSNv67YVxw Tip: Locking the Reel: https://youtu.be/EKxS3LLyz3Y Required parts 74 Airsoft pellets for the main bearing. 6 Airsoft pellets for the handle because it too has a built-in bearing. 4-7 25-35mm M4 screws. Countersunk preferred but not necessary. Not too picky though--if the screws are too long they'll just stick out and be ugly (no big deal). 4 12mm M4 screws for the handle, the handle extension, and the line guide. 6-12 M4 nuts because it's all M4s! Optional: For the line guide you'll need either a 12-14 gauge, reasonably smooth wire (no nicks that could fray the line) or a 1 3/8ths inch/35mm "screw eye". A sacrificial brass wire coat hanger would work too. The screw holes are all tapered to accept countersunk screw heads but regular flat-head screws will work just fine. They just won't look as nice :) Assembly Before I say anything else I want to point out that the center part (where you hold the reel) is symmetrical. Why? Because that way it's nearly impossible to screw up the assembly! All assembly issues can be corrected afterwards by simply unscrewing and re-screwing a few things. You can reconfigure the location of the handle and the line guide any time as you see fit! Also: Even if you don't read these instructions you'll probably put it together just fine. This is a lot of words to describe a pretty straightforward assembly UPDATE 20170926: Added "199mm" versions of the APB Kite Reel "top" and "bottom" parts for those with 200mm print beds. Enjoy!