Welcome to a new DIY mechanical project! In this build, we’ll create a simple but powerful PET bottle cutter that turns waste bottles into clean, adjustable-width plastic strips — ideal for feeding into a homemade filament extruder. This cutter is an essential tool in the broader mission of converting PET bottles into 3D printer filament. And the best part? It uses basic hardware with no electronics or complicated setup!
If you're passionate about recycling, repurposing materials, and building functional tools from scratch, you’re going to enjoy this hands-on project.
What This Project Does
The cutter slices standard PET bottles into continuous strips with adjustable widths ranging from 3mm to 15mm. These strips can then be melted and reshaped into filament for 3D printing. This tool is perfect for prepping plastic for extrusion and works smoothly with your existing PET-to-filament conversion setup.
Parts Required
To build this PET bottle strip cutter, you’ll need the following components:
- 1 × M8 threaded bolt (minimum 50 cm in length) - Link
- 5 × M8 nuts - Link
- 2 × M8 nuts with Locking- Link
- 5 × M8 washers - Link
- 2 × 608ZZ bearings - Link
- 4 × Self-drilling wood screws - Link
- Sandpaper (for fine edge smoothing) - Link
- Iron hex saw (for cutting slots and trimming components) - Link
- Bench vise (to hold the bolt firmly during assembly) - Link
- Pliers (for tightening and adjustments) - Link
- 3D file for the cutter - link
These parts are readily available from hardware stores and don't require advanced tools to assemble.
Video Link: - Click Here For Vide
Concept
The PET bottle cutter works on a manual pulling principle. Here's the step-by-step breakdown:
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Preparation: The PET bottle is cut open at the base, and an initial slit is made to start the strip.
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Mounting: The M8 bolt is fixed securely using a bench vise or wooden block. Nuts and washers are used to create adjustable guides and to hold the bearings in place.
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Bearing Setup: The 608zz bearings are positioned to provide a smooth channel for the bottle strip and to reduce friction during cutting.
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Adjustable Width: By tightening or loosening the nuts along the bolt, you control the strip width — this lets you cut consistent 3mm, 6mm, or 12mm wide strips depending on your extrusion requirements.
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Cutting: Pull the bottle manually through the cutting slot. The edge slides against the blade (created using the hex saw slit), and the bearings guide it evenly.
No motor or blade sharpening needed — it's safe, quiet, and effective!
Build Overview
This project doesn’t require a soldering iron, microcontroller, or code — just good hand assembly and tool use. It’s ideal for makers who enjoy physical builds and mechanical tinkering.
- No electricity needed
- Fully manual operation
- Beginner-friendly with room to modify or upgrade later
You can enhance the design later by adding a spring-based tensioner or printed supports for better ergonomics.
Final Thoughts
This PET bottle cutter is a great first step in your plastic recycling journey. It allows you to take discarded bottles and turn them into useful material for your 3D printer. It’s a low-cost, eco-friendly project that pairs perfectly with your homemade filament extruder.
Keep experimenting with widths, strip consistency, and setup orientation. The cleaner your strips, the smoother your extrusion process will be. As always, stay safe when handling cutting tools and PET bottles under tension.
Happy recycling — and stay tuned for the next upgrade in this sustainable 3D printing journey!
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