We’ve all been there before: You’ve gone off to search for a missing hammer or pliers, looked high and low, and the tool is nowhere to be found. For that reason alone, it’s extraordinarily practical to have some kind of organization system for your tools so that this isn’t a frequent occurrence!
With your 3D printer at hand, you’ve got solutions that can be printed out within the same day. In this article, we’ve pulled together some great designs to keep your tools within reach.
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Considerations
There are a lot of options out there, so we picked these models with the following considerations in mind:
- Versatility: Nearly all of these models can accommodate various types of tools. Additionally, many items on the list can be customized size-wise to meet your particular needs.
- Popularity: Whether the listed models have a fair amount of makes or a decent amount of positive user feedback, you could say that they’re all well-tested.
- Space-saving: It won’t do you much good to have something bulky and massive that sprawls across your workspace. These particular models save you room for other things.
With that covered, let’s get to tidying up those tools!
Standing
The organizers in this section are different types of tool stands – some being highly compact and others as sprawling as your tool selection.
Gridfinity Modular System
The Gridfinity system concept was designed to optimize your workflow by providing a versatile and customizable solution for efficient organization and storage of tools. The system is meant to increase the accessibility of all of your tools and knickknacks.
This particular component consists of six drawers with removable and swappable inserts. You can also make your own partitions or check out the many other models already out there.
- Who designed it? ChippWalters
- How popular/printable it is? This popular model has 107 makes, 17 remixes, and about 18,000 downloads.
- Where to find it? Printables
OttoBox
The OttoBox is a desktop tool organizer that lets you add or modify holders and functionalities. Originally, the maker designed it for 3D printer tools and accessories, but you can make changes to keep other objects.
The design has a few compartments, a drawer, and slots to store SD cards. A maker has added modifications to hold a notebook and hygrometer (which measures water vapor in the air). This modification makes it a perfect companion for a 3D printer.
- Who designed it? rotto
- How printable/popular is it? Between both sites, over 1,600 users have downloaded this design so far, and nine makers have shared their prints.
- Where to find it? Printables, Thingiverse
Honeycomb
A unique and thoughtful design, honeycomb style – if it works for the beehive, it’ll work for your tools! With a lot of user feedback and excellent versatility, this print is a wonderful choice for many workspaces.
This model does require a lengthy print time, but it’s worth it. Just ask the many makers who left positive comments for the designer.
- Who designed it? GuillaumeGendron
- How printable/popular is it? There are around 50 shared makes of this organizer, and the design has been downloaded over 5,400 times.
- Where to find it? Printables
Compact System
With this small and slick tool organizer system, you’ve got a flexible combination of possibilities. The design includes 11 different parts that can be combined or used on their own to hold various tools. There’s even a set especially geared toward keeping your 3D printing tools on hand.
- Who designed it? Chriis
- How printable/popular is it? This design has been downloaded over 220 times and has 4 posted makes as well as a handful of positive comments.
- Where to find it? Printables
Tool Caddy
This portable tool organizer box can make your workflow smoother, especially if you find yourself shuffling tools back and forth between your printer and workbench. Keep all your essentials organized in one place, and carry it with you wherever it’s needed.
Printing this model is straightforward and can be done without supports. The designer recommends a layer height of 0.2-0.3 and 15% infill to make it durable.
- Who designed it? HeavyLights
- How printable/popular it is? This caddy has one make with positive feedback.
- Where to find it? Printables
Hex Bit Holder System
Having trouble finding your tool bits? Do your set pieces keep getting lost, with some of them never to be found again? Sounds like you need this modular bit organizer. You just have to remember to put the bit back when you’re finished.
It has a hexagonal design capable of fitting several bits in a singular module. Additional modules can be added like puzzle pieces, with tall or short versions available depending on the bits you have. For extra stability, there’s also a module with a wide base.
Rotary Caddy
This cheerful caddy is geared toward rotary tools but could be used for other tool organization purposes as well. Its tray is optimal for storing loose pieces.
It boasts a relatively short print time and doesn’t require much filament if printed with 50% infill.
- Who designed it? Sonic Ox
- How printable/popular is it? MyMiniFactory shows that this file has around 470 downloads and over 5,300 views.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Miniature Modular Boxes
Keeping track of bits, screws, sprints, and other smaller tools and pieces of hardware can be challenging at times. Rather than pile them all into a single container for you to sift through later, you may be interested in giving each of your tools their own miniature homes with these modular boxes.
The boxes print without supports in several pieces that, after assembled, will provide a tight shut – ensuring you don’t lose any tools. Each box is able to attach to the other, which makes it easy to store multiple boxes while keeping everything separate.
Desktop
Capable of holding quite the assortment of tools, or perhaps other useful desktop items like pens or glue, this streamlined design will hold down the fort on your desk or workbench.
Although it has a somewhat lengthy print time and consumes quite a bit of filament, users are happy with this design. The creator also offers a “lightweight” version that doesn’t use as much filament as the original.
- Who designed it? rynil2000
- How printable/popular is it? This organizer has 17 makes and has been downloaded over 14,000 times thus far.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Modular Spool Drawer
It’s no secret that a lot of waste can be produced in the field of 3D printing. We’re always looking for ways to recycle as much as possible, and these filament spool storage drawers are a great way to use up those empty spools that you have lying around. The designer has included many different kinds of drawers to allow for complete customization.
Not all spools are sized equally, however. If you prefer to use a different brand of filament and find that these drawers simply don’t fit in the spools you have on hand, don’t worry. There are plenty of designs for a variety of filament brands, including Sunlu, Hatchbox, and many more if you do a quick search.
- Who designed it? MistrYpsilon
- How popular/printable it is? This particular design has around 19,000 downloads, with 6 makes and a remix posted.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Compact Stand
Ideal for 3D printing tools, this highly compact desktop tool stand features a space for a bottle of isopropyl alcohol as well as digital calipers. The design is a remix of a model found on Thingiverse. Relatively lightweight and made of PLA, it requires approximately half a day of print time.
- Who designed it? Haymount
- How printable/popular is it? Printables reports that this stand has been downloaded about 200 times.
- Where to find it? Printables
Bambu Lab Printer Tool Storage
A lot of tools and accessories are needed to keep Bambu Lab printers running in tip-top shape. This storage tray is mounted on top of any of the CoreXY Bambu Lab 3D printers, sitting right in front of the AMS unit, to give you plenty of room to put all of your scrapers, glues, cleaning supplies, and everything else that would normally gather around your printer.
This model is becoming a must-have for those who regularly use their Bambu Lab printers, and it shows in its popularity. The design has gone through quite a few updates to make it as convenient as possible. You can find inserts for different tools and quality-of-life changes in the remixes as well.
- Who designed it? LeaRobinson
- How popular/printable it is? This model is gaining in popularity, with over 6,500 downloads already, and there are plenty of makes to browse, with 85 currently shared.
- Where to find it? Printables
Solder Station
This soldering station perfectly stores all your soldering tips, wire spools, wire strippers, tweezers, and other items needed for soldering. As the organizer is to some degree modular, you can print only the parts needed for storing the tools you want to keep handy.
There are a few different parts that make up this station: the base, drawer, spool axle, and arms. For this reason, the maker uses different infill and support settings for the parts. While printing, make sure that the base doesn’t warp, as this can obstruct the movement of other parts.
- Who designed it? H5Labs
- How printable/popular is it? Thingiverse reports 18 successful makes, 4 remixes, and over 18,600 downloads.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Cricut
Many in the maker community adore the Cricut machines, namely the Cricut Maker or the Cricut Joy. As these machines work with hundreds of materials, different tools are needed, including blades, tips, markers, and pens.
A few Cricut machines have their own storage space for these tools, but why not print this Cricut tool organizer for more visibility and accessibility? Don’t let misplaced tools get in the way when inspiration strikes or you’re in the flow of creating. With this organizer, you can store all things Cricut.
- Who designed it? bitsplusatoms
- How printable/popular is it? 25 makers have shared their makes on both sites, and six have posted remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Printables
Hanging
The organizers in this section are mountable in some way or other. Whether on a wall, shelves, or special boards, these organizers like hanging around.
Hex Support
As the number of tools in your possession grows, so does the challenge of locating them promptly. Prepare to revel in a clutter-free environment with each tool gracefully suspended in its designated spot. This remarkable innovation is a veritable godsend for countless workers, offering a splendid choice that seamlessly blends convenience and efficiency.
Printing this model is a breeze; it doesn’t require any kind of support and works well with 2% infill and 0.2-mm layer height. As a testament to its popularity, check out the multitude of positive comments it has garnered.
- Who designed it? igorF2
- How popular/printable it is? This minimal model has a make and a remix, plus about 7,500 downloads.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Instructables
Two-Tiered
This compact organizer can be mounted on the wall or the side of a shelf or desk. It’s ideal for smaller tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and scissors. This design prints as one piece.
Dremel Bit Organizer
A Dremel is one of those essential tools that can come in handy while post-processing prints or building your next project. This model brings order and convenience to the storage of all of the various Dremel rotary tool bits and accessories. The modular design makes it perfect no matter how many different tool heads you have.
Better yet, it does not need any kind of support for printing. You can use a 0.2-mm layer height with 100% infill for durability and strength. You don’t have to use pegboards for this design, so you can mount it on the wall or let it stand as a rack following the author’s recommendations.
Now, you can work on your projects without having to worry about your Dremel bits getting lost!
- Who designed it? marcingenious
- How printable/popular it is? This design is pretty popular among users, with a shared make, remix, as well as over 2,000 downloads.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Wall-Mounted Bit Holder
If you like to keep a lot of bits handy near your workbench and don’t have enough desk space for them, this is the print for you. This model holds up to 40 standard-sized drill bits along two neat rows. Only two screws are needed to mount this print to the wall.
You’ll find two different versions of this model: one with a tight fit and one with a loose fit. If your print tolerances are dialed in, the tight fit is a good choice. Many makers have stated that the loose fit worked just fine for them. The designer recommends using PETG for added flexibility and wear resistance over PLA.
- Who designed it? Antalpromille
- How popular/printable it is? 4,000 have downloaded this model to give it a try, with 4 sharing their makes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Modular Rail System
This wall-mounted modular rail system gives you the freedom to organize and arrange your tools. Use any of the existing tool holders or design your own, then slide them into the rail system. This makes this tool organizer highly versatile.
Many different parts are designed for specific tools, and you can select which holders to include on the rail depending on the tools you want to store. You can also build multiple rail systems around your work area for all the various stations. This way, you’ll have all the tools needed within arm’s reach.
The maker is still updating the model with new holders for the system, so keep an eye out!
- Who designed it? bitsplusatoms
- How printable/popular is it? 26 makers have posted their prints on both sites, in addition to 19 remixed models.
- Where to find it? Printables, Thingiverse
Milwaukee Tool & Battery Pegs
If you have a lot of Milwaukee-brand tools and batteries, you should invest in a good storage system for them all. These pegboard mounts are designed to hold both your power tools and their batteries up in a safe place where you can easily access all of them. The designer has uploaded a variety of different mounts, giving you plenty of options.
You’ll find all of the hardware needed for installing these mounts in the description, as well as recommended print settings. PETG is the most popular filament choice for these prints, as it tends to not wear down as much as PLA.
- Who designed it? Yangorang
- How popular/printable it is? Almost 1,400 Milwaukee tool owners have found this design useful and downloaded it, while 15 have shared their makes.
- Where to find it? Printables
Skådis
This is another organizer that allows you to hang and store your tools, but the main difference here is that this design makes use of an Ikea Skådis pegboard as well as holder attachments with hooks. So, you won’t have to worry about screwing in multiple hooks for all of your tools.
The design is essentially a collection of different hooks, holders, and containers. You can easily place and remove them, personalizing the placement and arrangement. If you don’t find a specific holder in the collection, design and print your own!
- Who designed it? CSD_Salzburg
- How printable/popular is it? Presently, this collection is approaching 66,000 downloads with 16 successful makes and well over 120 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Multi-layered Rack
Thoughtfully designed and elegantly put together in multicolored layers, this customizable organizer is both aesthetically appealing and practical, making it a great addition to your workspace.
In addition to the STL files, the creator has included STEP files, enabling makers to edit or customize the design.
- Who designed it? Tom_DD
- How printable/popular is it? Over 370 users have downloaded this file so far, and 25 have liked it.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Needle File Holder
A needle file is a valuable tool for artisans and craftsmen working on intricate projects that require precise filing and shaping – and it’s common to have several assorted grits. Behold this robustly designed model capable of accommodating up to 12 files.
The design doesn’t need any supporting material while printing, so you can print it in one go and have organized files within hours. With this innovative design in hand, you can rest assured knowing that all the files you need are within easy reach, ready to unleash their sharpened potential.
- Who designed it? andyga50
- How popular/printable it is? This magnificent model has a posted make and is approaching 330 downloads.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Mountable
While designed with 3D printing tools in mind, this mountable holder can be used for a wide variety of items as well. The creator printed it in ABS with friction-fitted hangers. Though the print time is lengthy, it boasts high user satisfaction based on the many positive comments on the design.
- Who designed it? designrama
- How printable/popular is it? With over 15,600 downloads and 13 makes, this design is a popular one!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Hooks
These handy hooks are versatile and extremely simple to print. Users can mount them where needed (on walls, drawers, or shelves), and they can hold a variety of tool types. The creator, dukedoks, made a YouTube video featuring this design, and his YouTube channel has other cool 3D printing videos.
License: The text of "3D Printed Tool Organizers: 25 Models for Tidying Up" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.