{"data":{"model":{"id":"46640","slug":"ball-style-filament-guide-for-prusa-i3-mk3s","name":"Ball-style Filament Guide for Prusa i3 Mk3S","authorship":"author","club":false,"excludeCommercialUsage":false,"price":null,"eduProject":null,"ratingAvg":"5.0000000000","myRating":null,"ratingCount":5,"description":"

This is a filament guide for the Mk3S that implements @Nerys's rotating ball mechanism. I've been using this kind of filament guide on my other printer makes for a long time and finally decided to adapt it for the Prusa i3 Mk3S.

Do you NEED a filament guide? No. But to quote @Nerys:

\"...sometimes on retraction or if the spool suddenly moves the filament can jump off the spool and now wrap itself around the spool holder which will eventually cause it to jam and bind ruining your print
This restricts the filament path to that point directly in front of the school [sic] so it's not possible for it to jump off the spool on the normal conditions no matter what the printer does since the filament cannot freely move left and right now they can swivel left and right but not moving right which should keep it from jumping it just makes the printing more reliable and less likely to fail\"

There are plenty of filament guides out there. What makes this design different is the rotating ball that can pivot 360 degrees in all directions. Is this super significant? I don't think so but it sure looks cool. And it seems a bit less noisy in my LACK enclosure as I don't hear the filament rattle along my previous (no-ball style) guide anymore.

This is a remix of @Nerys's Wanhao i3 Maker Select filament guide and @bbrendon's filament guide mount for the Mk3S

Print instructions

Supports: No
Resolution: 0.2
Infill: 15%
Notes:

I used Prusament Orange PETG but PLA is perfectly fine.

The guide part has a small lip on its side, where the square marks the attachment point for the mount. In your slicer, make sure the part is oriented so that the lip is closer to the bed and pointing upward. This way, no supports required.

With a decently calibrated printer, the inside (ball) of the guide should break free easily if you grab it with two fingers and rotate freely.

Use superglue or epoxy to glue guide and mount together.

If you like what I'm doing\u2026

\u2026 consider buying me a coffee or joining my Club.

","category":{"id":"40","path":[{"id":"1","name":"3D Printers","nameEn":"3D Printers","description":"Upgrading and improving your 3D printer couldn't be easier - no matter whether you're looking for functional or aesthetic modifications. Discover the best improvements.","__typename":"CategoryType"},{"id":"40","name":"Accessories","nameEn":"Accessories","description":"Add cool improvements to your 3D printer - drybox, filament buffer, or extruder visualizer. These smart ideas will make your printer even better!","__typename":"CategoryType"}],"__typename":"CategoryType"},"modified":"2025-01-02T00:36:50.050743+00:00","firstPublish":"2020-11-18T22:02:05.423770+00:00","datePublished":"2025-01-02T00:36:49.614183+00:00","dateCreatedThingiverse":"2020-11-18T21:39:54+00:00","nsfw":false,"summary":"This is a filament guide for the Mk3S that implements @Nerys's rotating ball mechanism.","likesCount":47,"makesCount":3,"liked":null,"printDuration":"0.76","numPieces":1,"weight":"8.00","nozzleDiameters":["0.40"],"usedMaterial":null,"layerHeights":["0.20"],"mmu":false,"materials":[{"id":"8","name":"PET","__typename":"MaterialTypeType"}],"dateFeatured":null,"downloadCount":245,"displayCount":1840,"filesCount":4,"privateCollectionsCount":34,"publicCollectionsCount":38,"pdfFilePath":"media/prints/46640/pdfs/46640-ball-style-filament-guide-for-prusa-i3-mk3s-08022f2e-ce4d-46b8-a6e7-72037963becf.pdf","commentCount":7,"userGcodeCount":0,"remixCount":3,"canBeRated":false,"printer":{"id":"1","name":"Prusa MK3/S/S+","__typename":"PrinterTypeType"},"image":{"id":"222344","filePath":"media/prints/46640/images/464562_030405e5-440b-4c92-85a3-b577975a360b/large_display_20201118_181337278_ios_large_46640.jpg","rotation":0,"imageHash":"2kgKFQSZeHJ3V2dnmGv4hk3v+OZv","imageWidth":768,"imageHeight":1024,"__typename":"PrintImageType"},"images":[{"id":"222344","filePath":"media/prints/46640/images/464562_030405e5-440b-4c92-85a3-b577975a360b/large_display_20201118_181337278_ios_large_46640.jpg","rotation":0,"imageHash":"2kgKFQSZeHJ3V2dnmGv4hk3v+OZv","imageWidth":768,"imageHeight":1024,"__typename":"PrintImageType"},{"id":"222345","filePath":"media/prints/46640/images/464563_9d84166e-24f7-4bda-8717-d8366e2d5ae1/large_display_filament_guide_v3_46640.png","rotation":0,"imageHash":"FwgGBwB2mXhCiXhvifZcqWtnBgAAAAAA","imageWidth":1024,"imageHeight":1024,"__typename":"PrintImageType"},{"id":"223404","filePath":"media/prints/46640/images/466664_745af9df-4864-4423-b33e-c3a30ca8b7c6/20201121_024805839_ios.jpg","rotation":0,"imageHash":"WhgKDwR4eHiTh3d2d1eI53eDb/TmVm8L","imageWidth":3024,"imageHeight":3024,"__typename":"PrintImageType"}],"tags":[{"name":"thingiverse","id":"6174","__typename":"TagType"}],"thingiverseLink":"https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4658076","filesType":"GCODE","previewFile":{"id":"191544","filePreviewPath":"media/prints/46640/stls/464569_4fd8ec01-a589-4c44-87fd-e51fa3f1e76b/filament_guide_mount_preview.png","__typename":"STLType"},"license":{"id":"4","disallowRemixing":false,"__typename":"LicenseType"},"remixParents":[{"id":"116806","modelId":null,"modelName":null,"modelAuthor":null,"model":null,"url":"https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4658076","urlAuthor":"fuchsr","urlImage":"https://cdn.thingiverse.com/assets/2e/9a/da/ab/43/featured_preview_20201118_181337278_iOS_Large.jpg","urlTitle":"Ball-style Filament Guide for Prusa i3 Mk3S","urlLicense":{"id":"4","name":"Creative Commons \u2014 Attribution \u2014 Noncommercial \u2014 Share Alike","disallowRemixing":false,"__typename":"LicenseType"},"urlLicenseText":"Creative Commons - Attribution - Non-Commercial - Share Alike","__typename":"PrintRemixType"}],"remixDescription":null,"__typename":"PrintType","user":{"id":"48520","handle":"fuchsr","verified":false,"dateVerified":null,"publicUsername":"fuchsr","avatarFilePath":"media/auth/avatars/94/94a53e5d-ee6a-43b1-b5c1-b62cf1d376bf.jpg","badgesProfileLevel":{"profileLevel":26,"__typename":"BadgesProfileLevelType"},"__typename":"UserType","isFollowedByMe":false,"isHiddenForMe":false,"canBeFollowed":true,"billingAccountType":"personal","lowestTierPrice":"3.00","highlightedModels":{"models":[{"id":"216967","name":"Customizable All-In-One Temperature and Bridging Tower","slug":"customizable-all-in-one-temperature-and-bridging-t","ratingAvg":"4.9310344828","likesCount":304,"liked":null,"datePublished":"2025-01-02T00:06:59.343496+00:00","dateFeatured":null,"firstPublish":"2022-05-31T19:10:25.907486+00:00","downloadCount":2229,"mmu":false,"category":{"id":"40","path":[{"id":"1","name":"3D Printers","nameEn":"3D Printers","__typename":"CategoryType"},{"id":"40","name":"Accessories","nameEn":"Accessories","__typename":"CategoryType"}],"__typename":"CategoryType"},"modified":"2025-01-02T00:06:59.362572+00:00","image":{"id":"982222","filePath":"media/prints/216967/images/1986989_dfb35c54-a7b9-4141-85fe-e2ddaa063ded/be4a96c6-79f0-49e6-b509-77c89f4bafaa_1_201_a.jpeg","rotation":0,"imageHash":"LacNDYKXvJZ1iHiPZmaIiZ2Lv/dY","imageWidth":1920,"imageHeight":1440,"__typename":"PrintImageType"},"nsfw":false,"club":false,"price":null,"user":{"id":"48520","handle":"fuchsr","verified":false,"dateVerified":null,"publicUsername":"fuchsr","avatarFilePath":"media/auth/avatars/94/94a53e5d-ee6a-43b1-b5c1-b62cf1d376bf.jpg","badgesProfileLevel":{"profileLevel":26,"__typename":"BadgesProfileLevelType"},"__typename":"UserType","isHiddenForMe":false},"latestContestResult":null,"__typename":"PrintType"},{"id":"111319","name":"Easy and Customizable QR Code Plaques/Fridge Magnet for WiFi etc","slug":"easy-and-customizable-qr-code-plaquesfridge-magnet","ratingAvg":"4.9661016949","likesCount":4264,"liked":null,"datePublished":"2025-04-16T11:57:15.559572+00:00","dateFeatured":null,"firstPublish":"2022-05-28T02:56:15.832690+00:00","downloadCount":5405,"mmu":false,"category":{"id":"43","path":[{"id":"21","name":"Gadgets","nameEn":"Gadgets","__typename":"CategoryType"},{"id":"43","name":"Other Gadgets","nameEn":"Other Gadgets","__typename":"CategoryType"}],"__typename":"CategoryType"},"modified":"2025-04-16T11:57:15.579957+00:00","image":{"id":"1344722","filePath":"media/prints/111319/images/2759244_2bd39271-473c-4832-b187-da24e58611ab/cover.png","rotation":0,"imageHash":"5PcFH4aHyHh2iImPd4N5Z3dpaoQJJakA","imageWidth":578,"imageHeight":540,"__typename":"PrintImageType"},"nsfw":false,"club":false,"price":null,"user":{"id":"48520","handle":"fuchsr","verified":false,"dateVerified":null,"publicUsername":"fuchsr","avatarFilePath":"media/auth/avatars/94/94a53e5d-ee6a-43b1-b5c1-b62cf1d376bf.jpg","badgesProfileLevel":{"profileLevel":26,"__typename":"BadgesProfileLevelType"},"__typename":"UserType","isHiddenForMe":false},"latestContestResult":null,"__typename":"PrintType"},{"id":"63026","name":"Customizable Print-in-Place Cases for Button and Cylindrical Batteries","slug":"customizable-print-in-place-cases-for-button-and-c","ratingAvg":"4.9265536723","likesCount":1459,"liked":null,"datePublished":"2025-04-16T17:24:49.034967+00:00","dateFeatured":"2022-08-29T08:08:45.555554+00:00","firstPublish":"2021-04-09T22:30:56.137505+00:00","downloadCount":4080,"mmu":false,"category":{"id":"45","path":[{"id":"3","name":"Household","nameEn":"Household","__typename":"CategoryType"},{"id":"45","name":"Other House Equipment","nameEn":"Other House Equipment","__typename":"CategoryType"}],"__typename":"CategoryType"},"modified":"2025-04-16T17:24:49.054215+00:00","image":{"id":"4352294","filePath":"media/prints/e3f5343b-6f3a-4316-b9e1-306dc3a9b152/images/9515941_ca8d181b-5e22-42f3-a579-7d5cf4ae41b3_c12ab7c9-309d-4ecd-af54-fbdee002a86c/title3.png","rotation":0,"imageHash":"4OeFHIQszjefidRUDleUYEN8haR4CIh5AQ==","imageWidth":612,"imageHeight":459,"__typename":"PrintImageType"},"nsfw":false,"club":false,"price":null,"user":{"id":"48520","handle":"fuchsr","verified":false,"dateVerified":null,"publicUsername":"fuchsr","avatarFilePath":"media/auth/avatars/94/94a53e5d-ee6a-43b1-b5c1-b62cf1d376bf.jpg","badgesProfileLevel":{"profileLevel":26,"__typename":"BadgesProfileLevelType"},"__typename":"UserType","isHiddenForMe":false},"latestContestResult":null,"__typename":"PrintType"},{"id":"35766","name":"Modular holder/rack for miniature paints and brushes","slug":"modular-holderrack-for-miniature-paints-and-brushe","ratingAvg":"4.9024390244","likesCount":513,"liked":null,"datePublished":"2025-01-04T19:04:46.242848+00:00","dateFeatured":null,"firstPublish":"2020-07-02T03:03:56.023332+00:00","downloadCount":2007,"mmu":false,"category":{"id":"50","path":[{"id":"48","name":"Hobby & Makers","nameEn":"Hobby & Makers","__typename":"CategoryType"},{"id":"50","name":"Organizers","nameEn":"Organizers","__typename":"CategoryType"}],"__typename":"CategoryType"},"modified":"2025-01-04T19:04:46.265767+00:00","image":{"id":"3198465","filePath":"media/prints/35766/images/6878107_42bc0d21-5cf4-49fc-8b74-65c7c72d0a5f_fc58edd4-58e6-4afe-bce5-2f09a25c42cf/front.jpeg","rotation":0,"imageHash":"YPgFFwZZp4hvlYStd3iXWZmpBrAWIFkF","imageWidth":1200,"imageHeight":1200,"__typename":"PrintImageType"},"nsfw":false,"club":false,"price":null,"user":{"id":"48520","handle":"fuchsr","verified":false,"dateVerified":null,"publicUsername":"fuchsr","avatarFilePath":"media/auth/avatars/94/94a53e5d-ee6a-43b1-b5c1-b62cf1d376bf.jpg","badgesProfileLevel":{"profileLevel":26,"__typename":"BadgesProfileLevelType"},"__typename":"UserType","isHiddenForMe":false},"latestContestResult":null,"__typename":"PrintType"},{"id":"1035315","name":"Comprehensive Sorting/Sizing Tray for Prusa Fasteners and Spare Parts","slug":"comprehensive-sortingsizing-tray-for-prusa-fastene","ratingAvg":"0E-10","likesCount":4,"liked":null,"datePublished":"2024-12-31T14:19:08.211607+00:00","dateFeatured":null,"firstPublish":"2024-10-10T14:26:19.829907+00:00","downloadCount":17,"mmu":false,"category":{"id":"40","path":[{"id":"1","name":"3D Printers","nameEn":"3D Printers","__typename":"CategoryType"},{"id":"40","name":"Accessories","nameEn":"Accessories","__typename":"CategoryType"}],"__typename":"CategoryType"},"modified":"2024-12-31T14:19:08.243222+00:00","image":{"id":"3634730","filePath":"media/prints/1035315/images/7853491_fc412064-3418-421c-a506-41a2c1b8870d_d79015ac-a3a2-4518-a027-a8b2292c61d5/img_2394.jpg","rotation":0,"imageHash":"XccNRZD6p3WId3d4iHeIeAWHVnB4","imageWidth":4032,"imageHeight":3024,"__typename":"PrintImageType"},"nsfw":false,"club":false,"price":null,"user":{"id":"48520","handle":"fuchsr","verified":false,"dateVerified":null,"publicUsername":"fuchsr","avatarFilePath":"media/auth/avatars/94/94a53e5d-ee6a-43b1-b5c1-b62cf1d376bf.jpg","badgesProfileLevel":{"profileLevel":26,"__typename":"BadgesProfileLevelType"},"__typename":"UserType","isHiddenForMe":false},"latestContestResult":null,"__typename":"PrintType"},{"id":"42075","name":"Quacks of Quedlinburg Token Upgrades","slug":"quacks-of-quedlinburg-token-upgrades","ratingAvg":"4.6666666667","likesCount":65,"liked":null,"datePublished":"2025-01-02T00:30:16.690901+00:00","dateFeatured":null,"firstPublish":"2020-10-02T20:02:08.942529+00:00","downloadCount":331,"mmu":false,"category":{"id":"31","path":[{"id":"30","name":"Toys & Games","nameEn":"Toys & Games","__typename":"CategoryType"},{"id":"31","name":"Board Games","nameEn":"Board Games","__typename":"CategoryType"}],"__typename":"CategoryType"},"modified":"2025-01-02T00:30:17.136497+00:00","image":{"id":"200982","filePath":"media/prints/42075/images/418827_c0cecb4c-c229-404f-a047-5ab0358fe40f/large_display_20201002_193103751_ios_large_42075.jpg","rotation":0,"imageHash":"YAgODYKoh4iPeHeId4h3iAOZIfRT","imageWidth":1024,"imageHeight":768,"__typename":"PrintImageType"},"nsfw":false,"club":false,"price":null,"user":{"id":"48520","handle":"fuchsr","verified":false,"dateVerified":null,"publicUsername":"fuchsr","avatarFilePath":"media/auth/avatars/94/94a53e5d-ee6a-43b1-b5c1-b62cf1d376bf.jpg","badgesProfileLevel":{"profileLevel":26,"__typename":"BadgesProfileLevelType"},"__typename":"UserType","isHiddenForMe":false},"latestContestResult":null,"__typename":"PrintType"},{"id":"105404","name":"Calibration Strip for simple Live Z/First Layer calibration","slug":"calibration-strip-for-simple-live-zfirst-layer-cal","ratingAvg":"4.9250000000","likesCount":310,"liked":null,"datePublished":"2025-01-01T20:30:29.636713+00:00","dateFeatured":null,"firstPublish":"2021-12-25T13:57:42.565661+00:00","downloadCount":2814,"mmu":false,"category":{"id":"12","path":[{"id":"1","name":"3D Printers","nameEn":"3D Printers","__typename":"CategoryType"},{"id":"12","name":"Test Models","nameEn":"Test Models","__typename":"CategoryType"}],"__typename":"CategoryType"},"modified":"2025-01-01T20:30:29.654385+00:00","image":{"id":"548841","filePath":"media/prints/105404/images/1053951_55051a27-f6d4-4304-bc7e-cb6d12f1e019/9b2bf360-7f1c-44da-801e-250f87cfffd6.jpeg","rotation":0,"imageHash":"ohgKHYJhhne/d4ZiiXh3iqZvq/3U","imageWidth":4032,"imageHeight":3024,"__typename":"PrintImageType"},"nsfw":false,"club":false,"price":null,"user":{"id":"48520","handle":"fuchsr","verified":false,"dateVerified":null,"publicUsername":"fuchsr","avatarFilePath":"media/auth/avatars/94/94a53e5d-ee6a-43b1-b5c1-b62cf1d376bf.jpg","badgesProfileLevel":{"profileLevel":26,"__typename":"BadgesProfileLevelType"},"__typename":"UserType","isHiddenForMe":false},"latestContestResult":null,"__typename":"PrintType"}],"featured":true,"__typename":"HighlightedModelsType"},"designer":true,"stripeAccountActive":true,"membership":{"id":"0-48520","currentTier":null,"__typename":"UserMembershipType"}},"contests":[],"contestsResults":[],"prusameterPoints":null,"latestContestResult":null}}}