How do I disassemble and reuse Prusa NFC Spools ?  

RE: How do I disassemble and reuse Prusa NFC Spools ?

I used a hacksaw. But I might give this tool a try instead

RE: How do I disassemble and reuse Prusa NFC Spools ?

Posted by: @happykatz

This may be off topic, but since the introduction of the NFC / Open Print Tag spools, the design has changed from the spool with the cardboard core and the push out side "wings" to a more sturdy plastic assembly. 

I used to re-use the old designs for printing with small samples of dyed filament - just push out the "wings", add dyed filament to cardboard core, push the wings back in and go.

However, for the life of me, I can't see how to disassemble the new spool without damaging it. I'll be honest, I'm starting to feel like a rat failing an intelligence test here. Is there an easy way to take this apart so it can be re-used ? 

I printed both tools. Neither the tools nor the spool survived the first try. This is such a lousy design. I am starting to doubt Prusa more and more. For now I am still happy with my Prusa XL and semi happy with my Core One. But for filament I definatly will switch to another brand. I think Prusa path got diverted in a bad direction. The NFC spools are so porely designed how did they pass any quality control? 

RE: How do I disassemble and reuse Prusa NFC Spools ?

I keep seeing comments like this, so when I printed my spool opener I was expecting to have a hard time.  For me it worked flawlessly with my first print of the "pro" tool using the default settings in the provided 3mf files and PETG Filament.  I've opened several spools more or less effortlessly.

Perhaps it is a luck/tolerance thing, but is it possible it is a technique issue?  It was not immediately clear to me from the video and I had to watch it a couple of times before it clicked for me:

1.  There is a little ridge on the left side of the tool that fits into a slot on the spool.  You generally hear a click one it has engaged, sometime loud, sometimes subtle.
2. Squeeze the trigger till it's closed
3. let go of the tool and grab the clamped side of the spool  Rotate it counter clockwise.  This requires a firm grip and motion, but not ridiculous.
4. Remove the tool, separate the disc.

So far for me this has opened all my spools painlessly.  My tool still looks like fresh off the printer.  If you are doing this and it's not working for you, I'm sorry for your experience, and curious why our experiences differ so strongly.  Do you have a picture or video of how the tool failed?

RE: How do I disassemble and reuse Prusa NFC Spools ?

Printed mine out of PC blend. I might print another one with PPS-CF just because.