The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →JP Gleyzes’ PullStruder is a hands-on maker project that converts PET drink bottles into 3D-printer filament. A bottle is cut manually into a continuous ribbon, then a motorized heated assembly pulls and spools the ribbon into a filament strand. The process offers a practical demonstration of reusing plastic, but the published material does not establish consistent print quality, printer compatibility, or a verified cost advantage over commercial filament.
How PullStruder turns a bottle into filament
- Cut the bottle into ribbon. The bottle is prepared with a cutter that produces one long, narrow strip. This preparation is manual in Gleyzes’ documented process.
- Arrange the ribbon for feeding. The strip is wound or positioned so it can feed from a spool holder into the machine.
- Heat and pull the strip. The ribbon passes through a heated block. Gleyzes describes drawing it through slowly and regularly so it shrinks into a filament strand.
- Wind and inspect the strand. The resulting filament is collected on a spool and should be checked by hand before anyone attempts to print with it.
This is often described as pulltrusion: the bottle is not simply melted and extruded as pellets would be. The device draws a cut ribbon through heat to form a strand.
What parts Gleyzes’ build uses
The project documentation describes one maker’s configuration, not a universal parts list or specification.
| Part | Documented use |
|---|---|
| 3D-printed spool holder | Holds or guides material for feeding. |
| Scrap aluminum heater block | Heats the PET ribbon as it is pulled through. |
| PID controller targeting 200°C | Controls the heater block temperature in Gleyzes’ build. |
| Reused car wiper motor and 3D-printed gears | Provide the pulling motion. |
| Repurposed filament spool | Collects the finished strand. |
| PC power supply | Supplies power in the documented setup. |
These components and the 200°C target are reported in the project documentation and Hackster.io’s 2022 coverage; they should not be read as a validated recipe for other machines or bottle types. See Gleyzes’ Hackaday.io project and Hackster.io’s coverage.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Innovative & Environmentally Friendly Design】: 3D printer extruders visually showcases the innovative combination of plastic recycling and 3D printing technology for home DIY creation, environmental education, and 3D printing teaching experiments
- 【Turn Trash Into Trend】: Our 3D printer filament maker machine can directly convert discarded bottles into consumables needed for 3D printing. Standard cola bottles can produce about 10m of environmentally friendly filament, greatly reducing the cost of consumables while being environmentally friendly
- 【Integrated Smart Filament Making Machine】: Our 3D recycled PET consumables machine Integrating heating, temperature control, traction, and winding, the real-time LCD screen displays temperature and speed, making it very suitable for beginners and professionals
- 【Adjustable Temperature / Speed】: The 3D recycled pet filament maker adopts a speed and temperature adjustable design, with a maximum temperature of 240℃. The cutting table can also be adjusted to ensure suitability for plastic bottles of various thicknesses, meeting your different needs for multifunctional filament production
- 【Desktop Compact Design】: Desktop filament maker adopts a compact design, weighing only 5.3lb, with a size of 13.78(L)*5.9(W) inch, easy to carry, operating at less than 45 dB. It is an ideal choice for small spaces such as homes, classrooms, and dormitories
Manual cutting is a key part of the process
Although the pulling stage is motorized, the bottle still has to be cut into a usable ribbon by hand. Gleyzes documents a custom cutter using sharp roller bearings. The quality of that cut matters: he reports that a poorly cut ribbon can create a blob in the resulting filament and advises checking the strand by hand before printing. No defect rate or controlled comparison is reported. The project log and its build notes are available at Hackaday.io; a related build note appears at the project log on making filament.
What the project’s reported results do—and do not—show
Gleyzes reported more than 100 bottles turned into recycled pieces in Hackster.io’s 2022 coverage. His project page later reported more than 200 bottles in 2022. These are dated maker-reported activity counts, not measurements of filament mass, successful prints, or production consistency. They should be treated as separate reports rather than added together.
Rank #2
- Custom High-Precision Filament：Create filaments with custom colors, and materials Waste Recycling：Recycle all 3D printing waste (finished/failed prints, supports, Brim、skirts) Material R&D：Conduct blending experiments Develop innovative composites and functional filaments Professional Use：Aerospace: Small-batch high-strength specialty filaments Medical/Education: Biocompatible or educational materials
Gleyzes also said the project cost less than the price of one 1 kg PETG spool. That is his cost claim; the available documentation does not provide an independently verified bill of materials or a current comparison with retail filament prices. It also does not establish that homemade filament matches commercial filament or works reliably in every printer.
In the project description, Gleyzes wrote: “This project is not ‘THE’ answer but may clearly participate to the global awareness on this topic.” That statement expresses the maker’s intent; it is not evidence of a measured environmental benefit. No life-cycle analysis or controlled independent test of PullStruder filament is reported in the project pages.
Rank #3
- 【Innovative & Environmentally Friendly Design】: 3D printer extruders visually showcases the innovative combination of plastic recycling and 3D printing technology for home DIY creation, environmental education, and 3D printing teaching experiments
- 【Turn Trash Into Trend】: Our 3D printer filament maker machine can directly convert discarded bottles into consumables needed for 3D printing. Standard cola bottles can produce about 10m of environmentally friendly filament, greatly reducing the cost of consumables while being environmentally friendly
- 【Integrated Smart Filament Making Machine】: Our 3D recycled PET consumables machine Integrating heating, temperature control, traction, and winding, the real-time LCD screen displays temperature and speed, making it very suitable for beginners and professionals.
- 【Adjustable Temperature / Speed】: The 3D recycled pet filament maker adopts a speed and temperature adjustable design, with a maximum temperature of 240℃. The cutting table can also be adjusted to ensure suitability for plastic bottles of various thicknesses, meeting your different needs for multifunctional filament production.
- 【Desktop Compact Design】: Desktop filament maker adopts a compact design, weighing only 3.75lb, with a size of 13.78(L)*5.9(W) inch, easy to carry, operating at less than 45 dB. It is an ideal choice for small spaces such as homes, classrooms, and dormitories
Who the PullStruder is likely to suit
- Good fit: Makers who want to build a device, experiment with bottle preparation, or demonstrate a recycling process and are comfortable with manual work and troubleshooting.
- Less suitable: Anyone who needs turnkey filament production, a predictable output, or proven compatibility and print quality without testing.
- Before printing: Inspect the finished strand by hand, especially for blobs associated with a bad ribbon cut. The documented sources do not specify a standardized filament diameter check or printer-setting procedure.
What is not established
The published material does not provide controlled measurements of filament diameter consistency, defect frequency, print performance, printer compatibility, production rate, or total cost compared with commercial filament. It also does not establish environmental savings. Those questions require measurements beyond the maker’s project reports.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Turn into Value: SUNLU Filament Connector can fuse the remaining filament on the spool, maximizing the use of each roll of 3D filament and reducing waste
- Creative DIY: Filament connector easily fuses filament of the same material but different colors. Create vibrant, personalized 3D prints yourself
- Fast & Precise Heating: At room temperature, it takes only about 3 minutes to quickly heat up to 185°C, greatly improving efficiency
- Wide Compatibility: Maximum temperature up to 240°C, which is compatible with a variety of 3D printer filament, such as PLA, PETG, ABS, PA/PC
- Easy to Use: One-click operation, select the corresponding temperature according to the type of filament, greatly improving the user experience
Rank #4
- Eco-Friendly 3D Printing Filament: Transform waste plastic bottles into high-quality filaments with ease. Each standard Coke bottle can produce around 10 meters of filament, significantly reducing material costs. This innovative solution supports sustainable practices while delivering reliable performance for your 3D printing projects. Perfect for environmentally conscious creators!
- Intuitive Operations: This 3D Filament Extruder combines Heating, Temperature Control, and Winding in one unit. With just a button press, experience Automatic Filament Formation. The LCD Screen displays real-time Temperature and Speed readings with ±0.05 mm accuracy. Beginners can start using it in 5 minutes, and the filaments are ready for 3D Printing without additional calibration.
- Discover our Premium Quality Silicone Baking Mats, designed for Non-Stick Cooking and Easy Cleanup. Perfect for Baking, Roasting, and Meal Prep, these mats withstand high temperatures and provide even heat distribution. Ideal for home bakers and professional chefs alike, enhance your culinary experience with these versatile kitchen tools. Safe, reusable, and eco-friendly!
- Versatile Material Compatibility: Capable of handling high-temperature materials up to 300℃, the machine allows for temperature adjustments to accommodate various plastics, catering to the diverse requirements of users.
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