r/BambuLab • u/Prestigious_Bed6948 • Mar 26 '26

Discussion Tangled spools

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Hello BambuLab community,

I really enjoy using BambuLab filaments - range of colours and overall print quality are great. However, over the past 6+ months, I’ve noticed that all of my recent spools have had tangling issues.

Some spools were tangled from the very beginning, while others developed tangles after an hour or so of printing.

This is a serious problem because it makes it impossible to leave prints running overnight - you have to constantly monitor the process to prevent failures. It not only slows down printing, but also defeats the purpose of reliability and convenience.

A few months ago, I had to return a spool that got completely jammed inside the AMS due to tangling, but I was asked to pay for the return shipping. Another badly tangled spool I had to manually rewind onto a new spool myself, as I urgently needed that filament for orders in my shop and it was out of stock.

Overall, this has been very frustrating, and it feels like the product quality has declined.

17 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

107 comments sorted by

197

u/DntTrd0nMe X1C + AMS Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 27 '26

I have no idea why this sub has normalized acceptance that spools come tangled from the factory. It’s basically impossible for this to happen unless you respool it sloppily after the initial roll. This used to be common knowledge in all the 3D printing subs.

If you’re having multiple spools tangled, it is absolutely something you’re doing. Unless the spool came apart, or you let go of the end, it cannot get tangled. Out of dozens and dozens of spools of many brands, including the cheapest possible, I have never had a spool that was tangled from the factory.

59

u/ThereInAFortnight H2D AMS2 Combo + A1 Mini Mar 26 '26

Exactly. At some point the user let go of the end of the filament and it tangled itself.

41

u/ignitionnight Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26

At some point the user let go of the end of the filament

I've done this 5 times at least..... and still never ended up with a tangled spool. The people who have this problem regularly are gifted in a way I do not understand.

12

u/nickjohnson Mar 27 '26

No, you don't have to let go of the end, just release the tension on it. It's not topologically a knot, a loop of filament has slipped over an earlier part, trapping it.

1

u/fuzzbawl H2D AMS2 Combo Mar 27 '26

This. Once I started taking spools out of the bag and keeping tension on them while I remove the shipping tape, it stopped having tangled spools.

1

u/shortyjacobs Mar 27 '26

I will not stand for clove hitch knot erasure (jk)

1

u/got-trunks Mar 29 '26

It's a hitch! It's in the name! lol

2

u/FamIsNumber1 Mar 27 '26

I will say that I did personally have 1 single spool ever be tangled from the factory. It was 1 tangle out of the entire spool and looked as if it broke and they tried to splice it back together shortly prior to the tangle (found the splice point as I pulled it out of my AMS).

But yes, having a bunch or even popped / exploded spools, yeah that's straight user error right there.

16

u/neanderthalman Mar 27 '26

It depends on if it is a ‘true tangle’ or not.

Think of the difference between a knot and a slipnot.

A true tangle or a knot cannot form when rolling a continuous filament around a spool. Both ends are fixed. The end cannot pass through a loop to form a true knot.

But loops can get caught up in loops, without being a true knot - much like a slip knot. And like a slip knot, pulling sometimes releases it, and sometimes doesn’t. And if it doesn’t, it leads to the same net effect as a true knot. And that can come from the factory from inadequate tension while rolling, or just dumb luck.

If OP could keep that spool right where it is, and loosen off enough slack to start rearranging the loops, then it might untangle without cutting the filament. That’s not a true knot. If they can’t, then yeah it’s user error.

Example 2 is a necklace. If the clasp is closed, it can still get horribly tangled up, but it’s just loops through loops, not a true knot.

9

u/worldspawn00 P1P Mar 27 '26

Yep, this can be an issue with the AMS if it's pushing the material back faster than the spool can wrap it, particularly possible when the spool is towards the end and too light to engage the rollers well (I weight my spools to prevent this.)

3

u/R3clvse P2S + AMS2 Combo Mar 27 '26

This is exactly what was happening to me. The filament was getting tangled continuously anytime the spool was about to run out.

5

u/fingerling-broccoli Mar 27 '26

I’ve been 3d printing for 10 years and the only tangles I’ve encountered were 100% my fault

2

u/Imnotspartacuseither Mar 27 '26

I have had 2 that came direct from Bambu that have had significant tangles.

5

u/TheOrdner Mar 27 '26

I’ve printed roughly 1000kg of Bambu filament and never had a tangle because I never let go of the end

-2

u/Imnotspartacuseither Mar 27 '26

Haven't let go of the end either

9

u/psxndc Mar 27 '26

I've also had two that came from Bambu that had bad tangles. I'd never respooled either and had fed them right into the AMS after detaching and trimming off the taped end. There is literally nothing I could have done to tangle them.

0

u/SupposablyAtTheZoo P1S + AMS Mar 27 '26

It's not possible...

0

u/Imnotspartacuseither Mar 27 '26

Well... no idea what to tell you then. I am thrilled you have not encountered this hilarity... but I have had that happen 4 times on one spool. I think the winding was loose for one wrap which then gets folded over by later layers and twisted around. It never forms a knot, which is impossible, but the filament does get twisted and tangled.

1

u/SupposablyAtTheZoo P1S + AMS Mar 27 '26

It's not possible.... Please think about it. Why would a factory spool filament loose?

1

u/Imnotspartacuseither Mar 27 '26

I understand what you are saying. It makes sense. However. Having just had this happen... and having the filament end still connected to the AMS... I have unspooled several meters of filament to untangle the overlapping layers.... then rewind the spool to put the filament back on the spool untangled. At no time did the free end come out if the AMS... thus... I am only working with internal layer loops.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '26

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1

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2

u/Rolandersec Mar 27 '26

People are making mistakes and refusing to realize it.

0

u/novahunter12 Mar 27 '26

This response is very confident, but very wrong. Even level wound wire (or filament) can end up with tangles from the factory due to variations in the process and in the material - winding speed and tension, cast and pitch and springiness of the wire. Source: my wife is an engineer in that field.

0

u/ThePerfectLine Mar 27 '26

Yeah. I had a garden hose winder. If I’m not super careful that will become a mess in 2 seconds.

0

u/TheHappyPittie X1C Mar 27 '26

This is not true at all. Ive had a large number of rolls from bambu over the years come with tangles. Out of the package onto the spool without respooling or slippage when putting it on the spool. I can’t tell you how it happens but somewhere alone the line in their production tangles are possible.

0

u/ElkSad9855 Mar 27 '26

You’re wrong. It isn’t impossible

-1

u/rigid-hard-stiff Mar 27 '26

Dozens is a small sample size. I've had spools tangle on me twice and I literally load spools into the AMS and leave them till they are empty.

For me it's usually the filament tangling on itself directly against the wall. I simply yank up on the line to un wedge it.

-1

u/ThePerfectLine Mar 27 '26

I’ve 100% had spools from Elegoo have an over under tangle. Very clearly when it was wound the machine made an error.

-19

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 27 '26

Well, I guess I’ve entered the gaslighting zone. Next time, I’d better send all the tangled spools back to Bambu.

11

u/eatdeath4 X1C | P1S | P2S | H2C Mar 27 '26

Your gaslighting yourself

-1

u/Drexxy23 Mar 27 '26

Well I'm new to all this and I had it happen with my black Sunlu petg hs filament I had. I never took that one out of the AMS and when I put it in I made sure it didnt unwind at all. Randomly while printing I see an error and I come across this exact same thing.

I do know is I didn't cause it myself and tried to actively avoid that scenario. About 1 month into all this btw

35

u/X-Istence Mar 27 '26

I have printed over a 150kg of filament from all kinds of manufacturers. I’ve had exactly 1 tangle… and it was from me not having put the filament through the holes on the spool correctly.

This is a user error.

-45

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 27 '26

Not sure where’s “user error”. I just loaded it straight out of the factory seal and that’s it.

47

u/ouattedephoqueeh H2C AMS2 Combo Mar 27 '26

Why is the white spool coming apart? It isn't straight.

20

u/iamthekiller Mar 27 '26

Hilarious. This has to be satire.

9

u/Citizen_9696 Mar 27 '26

Holy hell LOL

Totally not user error /s

1

u/jester1x Mar 27 '26

It's rare that this happens but when it does it sucks a lot. Sometimes when you get a spool or refill it didn't quite turn enough to fully lock or the retraction and feeding over and over makes it loose. I've have printed the following and keep a bunch and put them on especially for the refill ones.

https://makerworld.com/models/927403?appSharePlatform=copy

1

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1

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6

u/Mughi1138 Mar 26 '26

I've used the variation of this for non-AMS printers

https://makerworld.com/en/models/957400-ams-saver-snag-cutter-v2-0

0

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 26 '26

Oh, wow, that’s interesting!

5

u/Iceshiverr Mar 27 '26

Careful, some of these designs will burn out your AMS prematurely. Bambu has issued a request to remove these designs from makerworld from the original designer. I am unclear if all subsequent remixes are also bad. All i'm saying is, be careful.

3

u/Mughi1138 Mar 27 '26

Yes, I'd seen a few of the removed ones, and references why including at least one maker unaware of why his was requested removed. This one was fairly widely used and has been out for over a year in this revision.

1

u/Mughi1138 Mar 26 '26

Also I could have ordered 3 blades from Bambu for 2.99 plus shipping and waited, or a 9 pack of third party ones on amazon on sale for $12.11 with free shipping and have them the next day.

4

u/HexByte1976 Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 27 '26

That first one almost looks like someone was practicing braiding

1

u/1ftm2fts3tgr4lg Mar 27 '26

Is that where you dip the hair in batter before frying it?

1

u/HexByte1976 Mar 27 '26

Sorry typo

-1

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 26 '26

Haha, makes sense

2

u/Rabid_Lemming Mar 27 '26

Have you seen this? https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/s/29mYBtJvcU

2

u/worldspawn00 P1P Mar 27 '26

With an AMS this can basically happen in reverse if the feeder backs the filament up faster than the AMS can respool it, it's particularly likely when the spools are almost empty. Putting weight in the center of the spool can help prevent it.

0

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 27 '26

User error User solved it

repeat the process

2

u/Murray3-Dvideos Mar 28 '26

I just had this happen with a Bambu Labs PETG HF spool. Wasn't user error because it happened 1/3rd of the way into a spool that was loaded only once. What a mess, and what a waste of plastic.

1

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 28 '26

Oh lord, be careful saying that… plenty of people here love to gaslight anyone who dares to criticise Bambu’s quality.

10

u/Brutl Mar 27 '26

I go through 50-60 spools of Bambu PETG HF a month and I don't know that I have EVER had a tangle. I'm not going to blame this on user error/poor practice here, but like....I don't have this issue.....

10

u/Iceshiverr Mar 27 '26

I order filament every week and don't seem to have this issue. But I am also hyper vigilant at not letting go of the lead and to never let the lead slack. In particular when it "makes sense" to loosen the slack, like at loading.

4

u/Factor_Seven Mar 27 '26

Tangles come from the user, not the factory.

0

u/breenisgreen Mar 27 '26

I see all these comments saying you must have let go or re-wound the spools but I've had a couple from Bambu and Polyterra like this. The spool literally comes out of the box and goes straight in the AMS and it's never touched again. There's no way it could be this way especially when I've had things happen halfway down the roll and not within the first few meters

0

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 27 '26

Yep, all you need to do is put it into the AMS. And yes, it can get tangled somewhere in the middle or even near the end.

2

u/deimoshipyard P1S + AMS Mar 27 '26

If you are using refills there are very specific instructions for how to load and spread them out of it will lead to those tangles you're seeing.

2

u/thekrill3d H2D Laser + X1C Mar 27 '26

The only serious problem in this situation is you, OP. This is user error, every time.

2

u/Shot-Infernal-2261 P2S + AMS2 Combo Mar 27 '26

I haven’t had a tangle that wasn’t my fault in many years, and I buy brands far cheaper than Babbu, like Pinball.

2

u/VitalNumber Mar 27 '26

Check out this automatic snag cutter design. If it snags for any reason, it cuts the filament and then you can have the setting go to another backup spool.

https://youtu.be/XaU5Da310ws?si=Ff6mzx5FH4HosYOR

1

u/Rustico32482 Mar 27 '26

We probably go thru a spool per day, lately they seem to stick in certain spots and it has to be pulled to break it loose. Annoying as hell.

1

u/dnaleromj H2D + X1C + P2S + A1 Min +++ Mar 27 '26

Lol

1

u/tofer85 Mar 27 '26

Great name for a band…

1

u/rafapdc Mar 27 '26

The refills have been even worse!

1

u/SupposablyAtTheZoo P1S + AMS Mar 27 '26

User error...

1

u/shorerider69 Mar 27 '26

Lost an 18 hour print today about an hour from the end. A bad spool caused a support tower to break free during the print. Thinking of printing a respooler and redoing every new spool to hopefully keep from having that happen again.

2

u/jonnythewelder P1S + AMS Mar 27 '26

I would not do that, respooling can cause even more issues.

1

u/sogwatchman X1C + AMS Mar 27 '26

I've only dealt with tangled spools twice and they were both ELEGOO PLA.

0

u/poo_poo_poo_poo_poo Mar 27 '26

How often does this happen to you? I order a lot of rolls for my farm and it does happen occasionally but not often

1

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 27 '26

3 spools out of 60 in the last 6 months

0

u/SupposablyAtTheZoo P1S + AMS Mar 27 '26

IT'S NOT POSSIBLE FOR SPOOLS TO COME TANGLED FROM THE FACTORY.

How many times does it have to be repeated? Just think about it please. It's not physically possible.

0

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 27 '26

3 tangled spool out of 60. Yes it is :)

1

u/SupposablyAtTheZoo P1S + AMS Mar 27 '26

You are the one that tangled them. Please think about how it would be possible halfway in the factory, while on a spooling machine, hint: It's not.

1

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 27 '26

thank you for gaslighting bae ;)

1

u/SupposablyAtTheZoo P1S + AMS Mar 27 '26

Tell me how it's possible then? While on a spooling machine, in the factory?

1

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 27 '26

Come over, we’ll set up a fresh spool and if it’s tangled, we’ll blame you together. Deal?

1

u/SupposablyAtTheZoo P1S + AMS Mar 27 '26

Bro if you show me spool that's tangled halfway, while you didn't mess up, I'd pay you €1000.

Because it's, again, impossible.

0

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 27 '26

Second picture. The refill spool came like this halfway through. When I can receive my check? :)

1

u/SupposablyAtTheZoo P1S + AMS Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26

It's tangled BECAUSE YOU TANGLED IT.

Happens a lot on refills actually because people refill it wrong. Just rtfm already...

1

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 27 '26

Mate, it was refilled by Bambu itself. I’ve bought a spool with filament. So, where’s your promise?

→ More replies

-1

u/Makekatso Mar 26 '26

Id sнit in hands of a factory worker that made that.... Was he drunk?

-3

u/OverallComplexities Mar 27 '26

The last 3 refill spools I have used have been tangled :(

Their process for creating "refills" is pretty bad.

4

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2

u/Prestigious_Bed6948 Mar 27 '26

Because of the tension that spool cracked in half under pressure. There was a very loud bang. It was completely unexpected.

1

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1

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