Yin Yang cable spool with detachable lid

thingiverse

This is a redesign of the ancestor thing to improve the stability when winding less flexible cords like cheap usb-cables. This version has a lid with unbroken top surface and a support bearing for the hub. Unfortunately, this requires the lid to be detachable so I had to redesign the bearing for the lower rim as well. Here is the weakest point; The cable opening breaks the lower rim bearing of the lid. However, this also results in a nice snap fit for the lid. A simple modification could remove this weakness but this would reduce usability. I think the current design is a good compromise. Update: Added 1.5 m version stls and scad script with larger dimensions for the snap thingy. I had some issues with the lid popping off... The new scad script is probably better for all dimensions! Instructions Attached stls are for 1 or 1.5 meter cable of diameter 4 mm. If you need other dimensions, edit the scad file to adjust cable diameter and length, hub diameter and height of the spool. By default both base and lid are rendered in one stl. Print base and lid and check that they snap together nicely. I applied some grease to the outer rim of the base and the inner hub support ring of the lid to make it turn smoothly. Usage: Route the cable through the hub of the base part. Snap lid on top of this while aligning the openings over the cable. Hold lid and turn base clockwise to wind up the cable. To unwind, gently pull the two ends apart, or just remove the lid. Alternative usage: As above, but let both ends of the cable go through the same opening in the lid. See attached images.