3D-Printed Yarn Winder – Gear-Driven Easy-Print Edition 100% Printable

Summary This is a 100% printable yarn winder designed to turn loose yarn or threads into clean, compact balls — easily, quickly, and reliably. Key Features Fully 3D printable — no screws, bearings, rubber bands or glue required Open guide spiral allows easy yarn removal without cutting Print-in-place rotary handle for smooth, comfortable turning Optimized for PLA only — no TPU or PETG required About This Version This model is based on everything I learned from my first TPU-belt version. After receiving a lot of helpful feedback, I wanted to create a winder that: prints more easily uses only standard PLA avoids flexible belts and additional materials integrates all improvements from the earlier design The result is a simpler, stronger, and more reliable yarn winder — still fully 3D printable, now even more accessible. Link to the previous version 📷 Image redacted — claim this model to add your own media BOM Quantity Designation (normal process) Alternatives (troubleshooting) 1 Axis 1 Axle end 1 per clamp Clamp mount 1 per clamp Clamping screw 1 Drive screw 1 Drive wheel screw Gear screw + Drive wheel screw horizontal version 1 Drive wheel 1 per clamp Foot 1 Gear screw / Gear screw shorter head Gear screw + Drive wheel screw horizontal version 1 Gear 1 Outrigger bolt Outrigger bolt - horizontal version 1 Outrigger 1 Plate 1 Spinning center 1 Spinning wheel (either length) 1 Spinning wheel screw 1 Weight 2 Wheel spacer 1 Yarn Guide Changelog Changes V1.0 Initial Release V2.0 The Bearing Update Gear and drive wheel equipped with needle bearings Both gears run more smoothly and no longer require support Wheel spacers adjusted Transition from previous version - reprint - gear and drive wheel and two wheel spacers. V2.1 More screw options Two “new” screws, designed to print horizontally to take advantage of the stronger alignment. Transition from previous version - if you have problems with the vertically printed screws (breaking off), please try the horizontally printed ones. Assembly Tip: Lightly sanding and lubricating the rotating parts can improve smoothness. Step 1 – Spinning Unit Preparation Screw the spinning wheel screw into the spinning centre. Place the weight into the recess. Screw the drive screw into the spinning centre. 📷 Image redacted — claim this model to add your own media Step 2 – Plate Assembly Screw the axis into the plate. Insert the outrigger and secure it with the outrigger bolt. Screw the yarn guide into the outrigger. Mount the drive wheel into the plate using the wheel spacer and the drive wheel screw. Mount the gear into the plate using the wheel spacer and the gear screw. 📷 Image redacted — claim this model to add your own media Step 3 – Install the Spinning Unit Place the assembled spinning unit (from Step 1) onto the axis. Secure it by screwing on the axle end. 📷 Image redacted — claim this model to add your own media Step 4 – Install the Spinning Wheel & Engage the Gear Push the spinning wheel onto the spinning wheel screw. Lift the spinning unit slightly if needed to help the gear engage with the axle end. 📷 Image redacted — claim this model to add your own media Step 5 – Table Clamps (Optional) For each table clamp required: Screw the clamping screw through the clamp mount. Push the foot onto the joint of the clamping screw. Insert the clamp mount into any plate slot and tighten to secure the winder to a table. 📷 Image redacted — claim this model to add your own media Done :) 📷 Image redacted — claim this model to add your own media 📷 Image redacted — claim this model to add your own media Leave a comment if you like the project or leave a make if you made it too :) have fun winding