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Introduction & Story

Turn short strands of recycled filament into full, usable spools

When I launched PETmachine, it quickly became clear that turning bottles into filament was only part of the solution. Each bottle gave just 8–30 meters of filament – not enough for bigger prints and a headache to manage. I knew we needed two things:

  1. A way to join multiple strands into one long, continuous filament, and
  2. A way to wind it neatly onto a spool, ready for printing.

That’s why I created PETwelder and Mr. Winder – two simple, modular tools that close the loop in DIY filament production.
They’re compact, affordable, and designed to make recycled filament as practical as factory-made.

PETwelder lets you weld the ends of 1.75 mm filament with a clean, strong joint.
Mr. Winder automatically spools the filament during or after extrusion, keeping it smooth, tangle-free, and ready to use.

Together, they’ve become essential additions to PETmachine – and are now used by over 100 makers and educators worldwide, including in projects like PEThouse in Turkey or 3DStride in Kenya.
If you’re using PETmachine (or any filament recycler), these two tools turn scraps into spools.

Motivation

The Problem

Each recycled PET bottle produces a short strand of filament – too short for longer prints. That means more manual loading, wasted material, and a pile of loose coils cluttering your workspace.

Even worse, printing with unspooled filament can cause jams, inconsistent extrusion, or failed prints.

The Solution

PETwelder and Mr. Winder are designed to:

  • Weld filament ends quickly and cleanly, without waste.
  • Wind filament neatly onto standard spools – automatically.

It turns your DIY filament workflow into a smooth process:
Cut → Pulltrude → Weld → Wind → Print.

And like all my projects, they’re also designed to be fun to build, like LEGO blocks for makers.
If you enjoy tinkering and want a reliable and clean way to finish your filament recycling loop – this is the set.

Design & Features

PETwelder and Mr. Winder are fully modular and most of the parts are 3D-printed (STL files). Kit with electronics and mechanical components is available to purchase in my store

PETwelder – Filament Splicing Tool

  • Purpose: Welds ends of 1.75 mm filament (especially PET) to create continuous spools.
  • How it works: Filament ends are aligned in a steel core, which is heated to melt both tips slightly. After a few seconds of pressure, the weld is complete.
  • Power: 110/230 VAC (built in power supply).
  • Welding cycle time: Around 1-2 minutes.
  • Splice quality: Strong and precise – tested hundreds of time in different printers. .

Mr. Winder – Auto Filament Spooler

  • Purpose: Automatically winds filament onto a spool with adjustable speed and tension.
  • Reciprocating mechanism prevent tangling- filament on the spool is always perfectly alligned.
  • It can also be used independently to re-spool loose filament.
  • Features:
    • Smooth start/stop
    • Compatible with standard spools (diameter 200 mm, width up to 70 mm)

Workflow & Practical Use

With PETmachine, PETwelder, and Mr. Winder together:

  • Each bottle gives 6–30 meters of filament.
  • Weld 10 strands to get a 60–300 meter spool.
  • Filament stays clean, untangled, and ready to print.

In real-world use:

  • Printing tests show no jams or layer artifacts at weld points.
  • Welds are not visible in prints.
  • Compatible with all standard 3D printers (direct drive recommended).

Use cases:

  • Home recycling labs.
  • School workshops and STEM education.
  • Print farms (welding and winding leftovers).
  • Small production of eco prints (organizers, parts, prosthetics).
  • Community recycling hubs (like the PEThouse project).

Availability & Pricing

Available on Tylman Design Store:

  • Essential Kit (electronics + hardware + STL files): €190
  • Advanced parts kit (Essential Kit + 3D printed physical parts): €330

3D print files (STLs) are included after purchase.

Wrap-up

PETwelder and Mr. Winder are small tools that make a big difference.
They help you go from short recycled strands to full-length, usable filament – ready to print with less waste and less hassle.

Whether you’re recycling at home, teaching sustainability in school, or building eco-friendly projects, these tools close the loop.

If you’ve already got a PETmachine, this is your next upgrade.

For questions or collaboration: igor@tylmandesign.com

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