You are the "getting started is the hardest part" guy I love to watch. Adam Savage is the "explode into each project, and figure it out later" guy I love to watch
Gridfinity is a similar modular storage system. It's based on a 42mm square and 7mm height units But you can create custom boxes with any dimension with the Gridfinity Rebuilt OpenSCAD model that can be found on Printables. I've begun using solely this method for basic boxes but with a 21mm grid size on the bottom of boxes and a 42mm base plate grid size. With the 42mm base I can use community generated models. Then the boxes can be moved in half increments, or I can build smaller half boxes.
Great job! I did a similar thing with the Harbor Freight boxes. I even included tools. My ferrules and my ferrule crimper are in the same tray. One thing I learned to do if I mixed screw lengths is to not put similar lengths in the compartments. Mix 10 and 30, mix 20 and 40. That way you can see what they are and grab the right one. Don't mix 10 and 12.etc.
Have you run into the issue where HF changed the style of the boxes and old trays and new trays are not interchangeable? They messed with the feet on the trays and the bottom of the box. Also, whatever complete IDIOT at HF decided that the labels should use military class adhesive and then stick them to the box rather than the shrink wrap should have a 10th level of hell created just for them.
I am doing a similar project, with about 500 boxes printed so far. I am printing in PETG. I included a label flange, by mildly angling the top front face of my boxes back 30° to create a surface for a 1/2" label. This is enough to make a handle of sorts - easy to hook the box with a finger behind the flange. The mild angle means I loose about a 1/4" in the top front of the opening, but has not been a real issue.The label is always visible, even when the bin is full. I use a 1mm CHT nozzle, combined with vase mode and 0.5mm layer height. Using vase mode means I don't have to hollow out the model, and I can choose the wall thickness and bottom layer count (usually 2) during slicing. I use 1mm for small bins, 1.2mm for mid-size, and 1.5mm for 8" long boxes. I used CNC Kitchens method of determining flow rate, so I set the print speed to match the wall thickness. The 1mm nozzle is great at all 3 thicknesses. Vase mode makes it print very fast, and very clean. There are a couple places that make stainless steel belt systems - for Ender 3 and others - that would make it possible to batch print. It prints one, scrolls forward, and prints the next. They eventually fall off the end into your bin. The stainless allows you to maintain your heated bed. I did not get one yet, but I want one.
as a fellow software engineer.... yeah absolutely feel you on the "what happens next if we go with this design" thing wish my bosses sometimes had this same anxiety bc the answer is usually "we will end up with technical debt"
You need to work where I do. The main mode of operation IS creating technical debt. The last team I left has a backlog of 6+ years of problems that could have been 100% avoided if it had a competent manager.
@@vincei4252 lol, no thanks. only reason my current shop doesn't have worse technical debt (yet) is because it's a startup and we haven't had the chance to really accumulate it yet
Alexander chappell made a cool system like this. His was so tight that he could flip the box upside down and shake it. Not sure if that would work here if every tray had that notch. Small enough parts might get through. I also really like his design because he made his own boxes and colour-coded the 3d printed handles and such.
@@MarcelRobitaille Chappell's is the OG. But built for his specific wooden box he designed. It's also only available for sale from his website. Voidstar Labs' Gridfinity is open source so anyone can use and modify for free and has a huge ecosystem of boxes already designed from simple boxes to ones with labels to specific, custom-use scenarios (IE one for calipers, one for AAA batteries, etc.). I enjoy Clough's intent here, but after watching Chappell and Voidstar both do this, I'm not interested in another person reinventing the wheel.
@@BenjaminVaterlaus Yes, Chappell's is specific and the files are paid, but Clough was always going to redesign it, so not a problem. I just thought Chappell's would be a good inspiration because the shelf/box things are similar.
Chappelle's design is really a scam, paid its expensive for what it is, only designed for his drawers. Won't release steps only stl, so you can't really tweak it for your own drawers.
When I go to your channel and see a video I am taken back by the amount of time for a given video. However, once I watch it I really appreciate you taking the time to explain what you are doing, why you are doing it, and the importance of your decisions. Thanks for putting out so much quality content. I always learn something.
Thank you. I've fought with Fusion and just never got the hang of it. I was going to dig up your tutorial for the Plasma Torch and open Fusion360 and do it at the same time to try to learn it but I saw this pop up and worked it through step by step (replaying it many times) and I at least got the component copied. So thanks again
MAN! You hit the nail on the head talking about anxiety and organizing and procrastination! This way of doing it is the cure! I have about forty of those draw type cabinet systems I have collected over the years and they are beautiful when I first organize them and after a while I end up searching multiple draws and knowing I have what I'm looking for but unable to find it, just because of the exact things you describe. Adding to the draw with no place to put it. So you mix it with something close or compatible. Sometimes it makes me stop what I'm doing and go sit down and watch the tv and sometimes it can cause days of not going back in the shop. Just watching this video seems to have taken a load off my shoulders having you describe and pinpoint the problem. I see the solution and I feel better. Thank You! I have also Subscribed.
I actually thought you did this a long time ago, being a 3D printer guy, so I thought this might be an old video suggested by YT. Smiled at OCD person knowing exactly how to trigger the others :-) Love how even your Misc trays are organized. I had a business partner years ago, who built an elaborate filing system for himself to try and dig himself out of total chaos. The last file he created in every drawer was labeled "Things to be filed". Laughed out loud at that, because I knew what would happen, and it did, spectacularly. This is sooo much better than the old pull-out little drawer systems we all used for electronic components etc. They just do not work for nuts and bolts. In fact, I might convert all my storage to something like this. Just need to find the proper host cabinets, that are readily available with some continuity in the market. And then, many 100's of hours on the 3D printer. Thanks (I think)! Clicked "Like" 3 times...
My small parts system is similar to yours. I've added a catalog consisting of a top-down photo of each box. I keep a printed version next to my parts area, and i always have the electronic version available on my phone. A tray ID label is attached to each tray so that it is visible both in the photo and from the front of the closed drawer. That means the tray number matches the page number making the trays easy to find. I don't print individual labels because with the photos I don't need them. This means that while designing something I don't have to be in the shop to know whether or not I have the parts. This system is also helpful when I am standing in the hardware isle wondering if I should buy a pack ot washers.
Thanks James. I chuckled all the way through. Its like you are inside my head! I too find anxiety over organising things in my workshop because it might not be the best long term way to do it. Thanks for being real & thanks for showing us how you addressed your challenge. Loved it!
good stuff. I fell down this hole some time ago. Did the Sortimo . Tanos, route. I looked at these boxes, they were not great at keeping small parts separated. The idea of the 3d printer is a great idea. The Sortimo and Tanos have different sized boxes that allow for the different size and adjustability. Where the 3d printing really comes into play is making custom size and odd shaped boxes. For example having a wire stripper shaped box in the box with wire splicing supplies. As usual great work.
I just moved and Im pretty new to having my own hardware and space to organize my workshop. I am exactly like you with the anxiety bit and my god was this video was therapeutic. Its been a blast.
Great video James. I can relate 100% with the anxiety part. I've been doing work around the house for some time now and I constantly end up trying to think several steps ahead, especially when it comes to digging for drainage, electrical or what it might be and that can sometimes halt the work for months until I finally come to a decision/plan I think I can live with. It's frustrating because things tend to take forever to finish and too often they don't get finished at all and sometimes the project doesn't even get started because I can't decide how to do it.
Well what do you know! Followed the tutorial and I'm currently printing a pile of boxes for my Beta Tool trolley. Saved me a whole pile of time and I learned stuff! Thanks again James :D
I have exactly the same problem. I frequently get paralyzed from starting a storage project because I don't know the best way to solve it. This video is a great help. I've looked at other 3D printed box systems based on a grid system that doesn't fit the drawers I have so there is always a lot of extra space. Now I'm convinced that sizing the boxes to my drawers is the way to go.
I appreciate this video more than you know. Not only are your ADHD-themed organizational skills inspiring 😉 but what I learned about Fusion 360 is extremely useful. I have a growing collection of end mills acquired through auction or on the second hand FB and CL market and I needed a better way to organize them. Printing up a batch of containers to fit in the drawer of my toolbox on the Voron 2 as I write this. Well done on all accounts. I wish I had the space for those storage units. Always been envious of my local Ace Hardware. Cheers.
I want to just say Thank You for sharing. I'm pretty new with Fusion 360 and this taught me so much. This process for creating organization boxes is a game changer for me.
Thanks for the video! I made my own bins as well, just of a different design, but I hadn't thought to make some narrow ones for items I don't have a lot of. That's a great idea! I use onshape so adding the parameters to my own design was pretty simple.
That was great. Just finished printing on my iFast that I bought on your review. Love that printer. Added a dedicated sticker holder and a small lip on the front for easier grabbing. Thanks again for the design :)
I made a similar system for a Lista cabinet I have, but I designed a grid the bins locate in that I attached to the bottom of the drawer. This keeps the bins from sliding around when some have been taken out of the drawer. I also designed a little tab that extends into the box a bit, big enough to put a label on and also used as a place to lift from with your finger. I found that bins in the center are hard to get out without it as there is no place to grab.
I have previously printed a TON of little boxes almost identical to these to organize drawers throughout the house and garage. I love that they are removable and can be made to fit items exactly. I will definitely be learning to use some of the methods you utilize in Fusion in the future.
I thought I was the only person with this organizing OCD and got overly philosophical about these kinds of things. I'm a welder and use a Siegmund fixture table. The tool cart for the fixtures was so bad that I designed my own and always upgraded that. My boss is always confused about why I get so over-analytical about the tool placements. That's crazy to me that people don't see the efficiency rise in these efforts like I see.
Nice work, James. Your grasp of 3D CAD never ceases to amaze me. I have one little tip on the label maker since I have the same brand. If you set the units to metric, the label length and spacing (i.e. for terminal blocks) is more accurate.
Did something similar. Some additional hints: Use white plastic. In deed easier to see the parts in the box. Make the boxes so small, that they are almost filled to the top. So you use the complete z- and don't waste x-y.
I went with Gridfinity. It makes some decisions easy (like how many I can fit in a given space) and then it's just a matter of using 1x1, 1x2, 1xN, 2x2, 2x3, etc. You can adjust the grid size by scaling most of them to fit almost any space, especially using the SCAD remake that has all the parameters needed.
I have similar organizational anxieties. I also have some object permanence issues such that if I can't promptly find the thing, I'll stall out, re-purchase, or tear everything down until it's located. As a result, I'm gradually replacing cardboard boxes with semi-transparent totes, and moving rigidly organized items into my solid color totes.
Great ideas in a great video, James! I also had these "decisions, decisions, decisions" to make - when I moved to a new workshop and had to organise all my tools and hardware again. It took me forever to get "all" the tools onto walls and in drawers - I still have tons to do. Maybe it's time to sell some of the ones I have multiples of? And that's another good side of going through Your stuff from time to time. You get rid of dead meat, and free up space! Bonus!
Great video. I have found that small washers and things like resistors tend to get out of place if the boxes are tipped up. To prevent it I have lined the inside of the lid with a thin piece of neoprene foam. Keeps everything in place and even keeps the boxes from sliding around if the box is not completely populated.
Fantastic. I just started doing the same thing based on Schaller Corp parts bins I ordered a while back. 3D printing as well as Fusion 360 are still new to me. The parametric feature is really what makes this practical. Love your channel. Cheers from Vancouver.
Great video. Learned some Fusion 360 features as well. I’d have to keep the latches closed or someone (probably me) will grab a handle to pick it up like a briefcase and parts will go everywhere.
Easily my favourite solution I've seen for this problem. I've tried using gridfinity but never really found a home for the boxes so they 'float around'. This is really nice
I'm happy to see more discussion of small shop organization. I looked up the prices of those boxes and the 12 box stack that James has is $700 before tax and shipping.
Small Price for quality. I cannot tell you how much i hate the plastic sorting bins. Also, I've seen this exact stack for about $85 at surplus auctions (after the auction concluded)
Thank you so much for posting the Fusion 360 walk through. Took me several attempts but finally got it to work. This solves a world of problems with my service truck - I have the 12 x 18 x 3 drawers in my service truck and now I can get things organized with the limited number of drawers. Working on some stack able/nesting inserts so a smaller box can fit inside another - I.E. 10A micro fuse inside the 10A mini fuse, or your application, 4mm nut inside/on top of the 4mm flat washer. Filament cost and print time is spooky compared to buying the factory insert though. I need to use thicker walls - 1.6mm so I am around 400kg per build plate and 7 hours, which will be about 1.3 rolls per tray - and I am using PLA+. 4 spools of filament and near 72 hours total printing on estimate.
Some of the commercial boxes (like the harbor freight ones) and printed designs from other UA-camrs use features on the bottom of the box and a grid in the bottom to hold them in alignment even without being complete full.
I have Orange Big Box "tackle" style removable separator boxes that are about 1/3 the size of your drawers and I have had them for many years. I find that having a box for each screw size (like 10-32 or M6) is the end game, but I do have mixed boxes for things I don't have a lot of. As with yours, everything is labelled--the box itself and the compartments. If the fastener came from McMaster, I will often put the flap from the McMaster box underneath the fasteners so I can reorder when the time comes like a mini kanban card. I also use coin/stamp collecting little envelopes (3.5x2.25") that I label and put in a box. The stuff smaller than about M3 really benefits from the envelopes so it does not get lost--you can blue tape them closed so you can reuse them. For stuff I have a lot of in different types such 1/4-20 and M6, I have a box for regular and a separate box for stainless, etc. I organize my taps and dies, some drill bits that don't go in drill index, etc. in a similar way. And my mini-pallet clamps have their own box. I got interested in the Gridfinity system that is open-source 3D printed boxes and grids under then. The boxes are on a 42x42mm grid with box heights from 14mm by 7mm steps. I think that might be the next thing I'll try.
I feel your pain. I have stuff in multiple storage "systems". I love the Milwaukee packout system but it is cost prohibitive for keeping everything in. I also use various sizes of Arko bins that are hung on the wall with cleats. Arko bins are great for really big stuff but are limited in their ability to be re-sized. I use Plano boxes for small items. These boxes work but lack the ability to easily change sizes due to the internal dividers being pre determined by the manufacture. I have been inspired. Now all I need to do is think about the ramifications of changing "my system" which will ultimately lead to additional procrastination.
James, great video. Especially on the parameter use in CAD. Of course I want to add a little tip. It's in the nature of this friendly human being. Your boxes are a great solution for a static use in a shop like you do. I also travel to clients and have noticed using several similar systems that the lid doesn't close all of the compartments during carrying vertical. If you store your. e.g. M2 nuts in a compartment somewhere in the middle they migrated to other boxes in their vicinity and the easy in, easy out principle is lost. One major problem, as you described too, is the lack of stiffness of the lid which bowes when closed. The row next to the hinge and the row next to the lock/closure are quite well covered (not if you are storing M2 washers too though). Because of this I used a layer of foam on the inside of the lid and it did became better but still not satisfactory and I still had to search for the really small parts on the job (I know you're in there somewhere with a paying client breathing in my neck). Because of this issue I printed small containers with their own lids. I carry a lot of the same small hardware over the last 20 years so 80% of them had a name printed on the lid too. The other ones had a small recess for a printed designation and added flexibility to the system. Maybe a tip for the more travelling technicians who want to keep their small stuff organized as well? Thank you James. I'm a fan of you and your channel. Keep up the good work. Best, Job PS; the idea of being organised is like the arithmetic definition of a limit; the direction is right but you'll never get there. When you own a job shop this is particularly true; new valuable/usable stuff is left after finishing jobs and you stash it somewhere eventually; the diversity of these parts becomes overwhelming over time and even finding right names can become an issue. It's a never ending race and a dream to fulfill. Once you entered the six planks leading to you being finally organized your organisational days are finally over and someone else has to decide where to put it. If you want it to be different you have to periodically throw stuff away laying there for more than a year without use. I did this many times and once I did I could use one of the thrown away parts the week after they left the building. I guess Murphy watched my performance too. You never get it quite right is my message and that's the beauty too.
The foam is a good idea. I wonder how that will hold up over time. I generally don't tilt the boxes all the way back, so things stay put, but for mobile use, or throwing in a vehicle, it would be an issue.
I wish I had something like your little boxes when I was in the Navy and had a vidmar with about 10k electronic components in it. Also, you’re weird. It’s why we love you.
I came to a very similar system over the years. Mine is based on modular plastik bins and metal cases sold by Allit. The cases have a layer of foam in the lid, so even the smallest parts can't escape. They also make bins for drawers.
Hmhhhh, i have a feeling i know how i am gonna spend my Christmas with one of my new Prusas... Watching this channel can be rather dangerous. Thank you for the great knowledge James!
Alexandre Chappel has an extensive system of 3d printed parts storage boxes that has gone through several design iterations. His are based on different drawers and cases though. His solution includes a grid frame that goes in the bottom of a drawer so that the boxes don't move if the drawer isn't fully populated.
Right on, I have those same boxes and a few different trays, but you make good points, I always end up with a few of many things. I should follow your lead
For the electrical crimp connectors, see if you can have a spot for the crimp tool in the same storage box. Once I started doing that it saved me so much looking for the right tool.
I use pouches for small amounts of small parts, makes them easy to get, reasonable fast to find (just flip through the labels), and the pouch can have lots of text to describe what it is (electronics parts in particular).
@@klaernie Quart Zip Locks lined up in clear containers works good. Snack bags seems like they are always changing sizes. But, you can decide on the "Perfect Size" Ziplock and order them from Uline and other places, pay a bit more and usually go back a few years later and buy the exact same bags.. Usually with label areas on them, etc..
I've been doing something similar with my organizing of electronic components, specifically crimp connectors, at work, of which we use many *many* different types and brands. For labeling, I try to add more parameters. Specifically for your bolts, I would add the thread pitch, material & finish, drive size, and part number. Stuff like that ends up saving me so much time in the long run.
Love seeing this. It feels like everyone with a 3D printer does something similar. The only suggestion I might have for the boxes would be to allow the boxes to stack when empty. As your system evolves you will have unused boxes that you will probably want to keep for future changes.
Ha, taxonomy! I like it. I have these and the Lista cabinets and the bins are great. I didn’t consider pulling the trays and replacing with custom bins. Another project added to the list. The mixed matched colors would bother me though
I've thought of 3d printing little boxes for lathe and miller tooling I keep in a roll cabinet, but my printer doesn't like PLA since I set it up for nylon and tpr, and I'm not wasting nylon filament on drawer organisers. You could have done with starting with Stanley 8 compartment (deep, part no 1-92-749) and 25 compartment (shallow, part no 1-92-748) boxes. They come with removable individual boxes, with the exact arrangement varying depending on whether it's the deep or shallow version (at least 2 sizes per box). They're what I store all my fasteners and pipe fitting, etc in. It's a pity they don't have radiused bottom corners on the smallest boxes though. I've been meaning to make a cabinet with drawer frames for my 20 or so of these boxes of small parts for years, but it's not got to the top of the the 'to do' list yet.
glad to see you being more and more progressive with Metric hardware and measurements 😀 now we just have to get you to say Mill instead of millimeter 😁 have a gander at Alexandre Chappel here on youtube he has a fantastic version of these printed boxes that have a gridlock system underneath. although i do like your rounded floor design as its a pet peeve of mine.
Seen other systems, and they generally include a grid on the bottom, which keeps the other boxes in place when you remove one. Also, as someone else pointed out, the 8/3 calculation disregards the spacing
Also, the fit of the inserts are really tight, which is nice b.c once they’re in they feel basically permanent. I think mine have 4 vertical rows w/the 1” spaced insert wells
I have a whole bunch of the 3 inch high Durham boxes and no 3D printer, does anybody know where I can buy small plastic separating containers like these? Great vid as usual. 👍👍👍
I went with a combination of reconfigureable plano tackle boxes, Stanley yellow boxes similar to this, and Rigid for bigger construction screws. The common theme is a clear lid so I can see without opening for the odd stuff. Also bigger clear Sterlite 11x17 bins that fit in my cabinets and shelves
I immediately run to my psychoanalyst to tell him that I have found the solution to my anxiety problem ! I'm going to print boxes right now. Thank you very much Dr. James ! 😁
My anxiety about organising is at the point where I don't even dare buy boxes/storage drawers. Because I used to buy a couple extra, you know for possible expansion. And after a couple of years I wanted to buy extras and couldn't because the design/system was either not available anymore, or slightly tweaked and thus not compatible anymore. But this looks like a nice idea/solution.
Funny, this is almost exactly like a project I did a year ago. It was great to be able to custom design the trays to fit my storage and to produce them at will.
The insight to your logic and dare I say phobias in this vid, is a gold mine...a deep, complex, multi-fissure chasing, sprawling, subterranean, OCD gold mine, but a gold mine none-the-less. I consider myself reasonably proficient in 360 and most tasks in and around the shop. I however never think to use parameters from the onset, which is basically the same concept as your approach to organizing hardware. Plan for change from the start. I just bought my son an entry level 3D printer. He's working on custom organization for his Milwaukee Pack-out system. I'm going to suggest that he too, takes a look into your thought process.
I'm doing a similar thing only with stackable storage systems that have been blowing up. I basically made server racks out of square tube. I can drill, rivnut, and install slides as I grow my collection, while having larger boxes for larger tools. Love it, but the boxes are about an inch too tall for some things. Not the end of the world.
@@NathanSpaeth The main thing I can think of is possibly that Gridfinity has a specific core X/Y size. That can either be "not flexible enough" or "I don't have to worry about this" depending on the person and possibly circumstances. For example, James has boxes of a specific size that he wants to completely fill, and that size probably isn't a clean multiple of the Gridfinity X/Y, so he may have considered it more flexible to adapt his bins to the Durham dimensions. That said, one thing I _do_ think James should consider adapting from Gridfinity is where Zack's tiny parts bins had a little lip on the top back for more visible label placement and also being able to more cleanly pull a bin out/put it back in, which James had noted having some trouble with.
You are the "getting started is the hardest part" guy I love to watch.
Adam Savage is the "explode into each project, and figure it out later" guy I love to watch
Gridfinity is a similar modular storage system.
It's based on a 42mm square and 7mm height units
But you can create custom boxes with any dimension with the Gridfinity Rebuilt OpenSCAD model that can be found on Printables.
I've begun using solely this method for basic boxes but with a 21mm grid size on the bottom of boxes and a 42mm base plate grid size. With the 42mm base I can use community generated models. Then the boxes can be moved in half increments, or I can build smaller half boxes.
Yes i was wondering if gridfinity would be mentioned
@@derschwartzadder 42 is the meaning of life :)
@@derschwartzadder Not sure Zack's reason but it Gridfinity is exactly the size of a NEMA 17 stepper motor... coincidence?
And Gridfinity again was 'inspired' by a similar box system by Alexandre Chappel
@@insignio1 unfortunately his never really took off
The entire workshop is a living system that will change. Modularity gives you the ability to rewrite the code of your space. I like it.
Great job! I did a similar thing with the Harbor Freight boxes. I even included tools. My ferrules and my ferrule crimper are in the same tray.
One thing I learned to do if I mixed screw lengths is to not put similar lengths in the compartments. Mix 10 and 30, mix 20 and 40. That way you can see what they are and grab the right one. Don't mix 10 and 12.etc.
I learned the screw thing the hard way.
Could have pulled my own hair out due to my own ineptitude.
Whooa. I'm going to try that.
Separating by colour works well too - brass screws with steel screws or washers
Have you run into the issue where HF changed the style of the boxes and old trays and new trays are not interchangeable? They messed with the feet on the trays and the bottom of the box. Also, whatever complete IDIOT at HF decided that the labels should use military class adhesive and then stick them to the box rather than the shrink wrap should have a 10th level of hell created just for them.
Gridfinity might be something to look into :)
I am doing a similar project, with about 500 boxes printed so far. I am printing in PETG. I included a label flange, by mildly angling the top front face of my boxes back 30° to create a surface for a 1/2" label. This is enough to make a handle of sorts - easy to hook the box with a finger behind the flange. The mild angle means I loose about a 1/4" in the top front of the opening, but has not been a real issue.The label is always visible, even when the bin is full.
I use a 1mm CHT nozzle, combined with vase mode and 0.5mm layer height. Using vase mode means I don't have to hollow out the model, and I can choose the wall thickness and bottom layer count (usually 2) during slicing. I use 1mm for small bins, 1.2mm for mid-size, and 1.5mm for 8" long boxes. I used CNC Kitchens method of determining flow rate, so I set the print speed to match the wall thickness. The 1mm nozzle is great at all 3 thicknesses. Vase mode makes it print very fast, and very clean.
There are a couple places that make stainless steel belt systems - for Ender 3 and others - that would make it possible to batch print. It prints one, scrolls forward, and prints the next. They eventually fall off the end into your bin. The stainless allows you to maintain your heated bed. I did not get one yet, but I want one.
as a fellow software engineer.... yeah absolutely feel you on the "what happens next if we go with this design" thing
wish my bosses sometimes had this same anxiety bc the answer is usually "we will end up with technical debt"
You need to work where I do. The main mode of operation IS creating technical debt. The last team I left has a backlog of 6+ years of problems that could have been 100% avoided if it had a competent manager.
@@vincei4252 lol, no thanks. only reason my current shop doesn't have worse technical debt (yet) is because it's a startup and we haven't had the chance to really accumulate it yet
@hotel I hear you. My place makes so much money it can afford to have hordes of worthless managers and dead end processes.
Yeah but it's not Agile 😆
@@evo-labs we abandoned sprints and moved to kanbans and haven't looked back senses.
Alexander chappell made a cool system like this. His was so tight that he could flip the box upside down and shake it. Not sure if that would work here if every tray had that notch. Small enough parts might get through. I also really like his design because he made his own boxes and colour-coded the 3d printed handles and such.
You like modular, printable storage? Take a look at the gridfinity system.
@@heriberthuber54 I know it, but I saw it was already mentioned in the comments and I think Alexander's is better
@@MarcelRobitaille Chappell's is the OG. But built for his specific wooden box he designed. It's also only available for sale from his website.
Voidstar Labs' Gridfinity is open source so anyone can use and modify for free and has a huge ecosystem of boxes already designed from simple boxes to ones with labels to specific, custom-use scenarios (IE one for calipers, one for AAA batteries, etc.).
I enjoy Clough's intent here, but after watching Chappell and Voidstar both do this, I'm not interested in another person reinventing the wheel.
@@BenjaminVaterlaus Yes, Chappell's is specific and the files are paid, but Clough was always going to redesign it, so not a problem. I just thought Chappell's would be a good inspiration because the shelf/box things are similar.
Chappelle's design is really a scam, paid its expensive for what it is, only designed for his drawers. Won't release steps only stl, so you can't really tweak it for your own drawers.
When I go to your channel and see a video I am taken back by the amount of time for a given video. However, once I watch it I really appreciate you taking the time to explain what you are doing, why you are doing it, and the importance of your decisions. Thanks for putting out so much quality content. I always learn something.
At 16:54 - change the Extent type to 'All' for the extrude and you don't have to worry about how wide the box is :)
Well... actually he know how wide the box is, he has a formula to define it.
Tetris in the shop, bet you were good at the video game!!!..enjoyed as you presented this subject in a great teaching episode
Thank you. I've fought with Fusion and just never got the hang of it. I was going to dig up your tutorial for the Plasma Torch and open Fusion360 and do it at the same time to try to learn it but I saw this pop up and worked it through step by step (replaying it many times) and I at least got the component copied. So thanks again
I think that’s a good philosophy with storage being a living creature. Good video!
MAN! You hit the nail on the head talking about anxiety and organizing and procrastination!
This way of doing it is the cure! I have about forty of those draw type cabinet systems I have collected over the years and they are beautiful when I first organize them and after a while I end up searching multiple draws and knowing I have what I'm looking for but unable to find it, just because of the exact things you describe. Adding to the draw with no place to put it. So you mix it with something close or compatible. Sometimes it makes me stop what I'm doing and go sit down and watch the tv and sometimes it can cause days of not going back in the shop. Just watching this video seems to have taken a load off my shoulders having you describe and pinpoint the problem.
I see the solution and I feel better. Thank You!
I have also Subscribed.
I actually thought you did this a long time ago, being a 3D printer guy, so I thought this might be an old video suggested by YT. Smiled at OCD person knowing exactly how to trigger the others :-) Love how even your Misc trays are organized. I had a business partner years ago, who built an elaborate filing system for himself to try and dig himself out of total chaos. The last file he created in every drawer was labeled "Things to be filed". Laughed out loud at that, because I knew what would happen, and it did, spectacularly. This is sooo much better than the old pull-out little drawer systems we all used for electronic components etc. They just do not work for nuts and bolts. In fact, I might convert all my storage to something like this. Just need to find the proper host cabinets, that are readily available with some continuity in the market. And then, many 100's of hours on the 3D printer. Thanks (I think)! Clicked "Like" 3 times...
I did a video a while back about 3D-printed trays for mill tooling and boxes for my larger rolling toolboxes.
Thanks for the response. I REALLY like your channel. Ticks all the boxes for me. OK, enough brown nosing...
My small parts system is similar to yours. I've added a catalog consisting of a top-down photo of each box. I keep a printed version next to my parts area, and i always have the electronic version available on my phone. A tray ID label is attached to each tray so that it is visible both in the photo and from the front of the closed drawer. That means the tray number matches the page number making the trays easy to find. I don't print individual labels because with the photos I don't need them. This means that while designing something I don't have to be in the shop to know whether or not I have the parts. This system is also helpful when I am standing in the hardware isle wondering if I should buy a pack ot washers.
Thanks James. I chuckled all the way through. Its like you are inside my head! I too find anxiety over organising things in my workshop because it might not be the best long term way to do it. Thanks for being real & thanks for showing us how you addressed your challenge. Loved it!
good stuff. I fell down this hole some time ago. Did the Sortimo . Tanos, route. I looked at these boxes, they were not great at keeping small parts separated. The idea of the 3d printer is a great idea. The Sortimo and Tanos have different sized boxes that allow for the different size and adjustability. Where the 3d printing really comes into play is making custom size and odd shaped boxes. For example having a wire stripper shaped box in the box with wire splicing supplies. As usual great work.
I just moved and Im pretty new to having my own hardware and space to organize my workshop. I am exactly like you with the anxiety bit and my god was this video was therapeutic. Its been a blast.
James, very cool way to marry the notion of schema to shop organization.
looks like endless hours of 3d printing ;)
Great video James.
I can relate 100% with the anxiety part. I've been doing work around the house for some time now and I constantly end up trying to think several steps ahead, especially when it comes to digging for drainage, electrical or what it might be and that can sometimes halt the work for months until I finally come to a decision/plan I think I can live with. It's frustrating because things tend to take forever to finish and too often they don't get finished at all and sometimes the project doesn't even get started because I can't decide how to do it.
Very nice solution to the age old problem of small parts.
Well what do you know! Followed the tutorial and I'm currently printing a pile of boxes for my Beta Tool trolley. Saved me a whole pile of time and I learned stuff! Thanks again James :D
Excellent demo of Fusion 360. That demo is much like a spreadsheet. Neat!
I have exactly the same problem. I frequently get paralyzed from starting a storage project because I don't know the best way to solve it. This video is a great help. I've looked at other 3D printed box systems based on a grid system that doesn't fit the drawers I have so there is always a lot of extra space. Now I'm convinced that sizing the boxes to my drawers is the way to go.
I appreciate this video more than you know. Not only are your ADHD-themed organizational skills inspiring 😉 but what I learned about Fusion 360 is extremely useful. I have a growing collection of end mills acquired through auction or on the second hand FB and CL market and I needed a better way to organize them. Printing up a batch of containers to fit in the drawer of my toolbox on the Voron 2 as I write this. Well done on all accounts. I wish I had the space for those storage units. Always been envious of my local Ace Hardware. Cheers.
I want to just say Thank You for sharing. I'm pretty new with Fusion 360 and this taught me so much. This process for creating organization boxes is a game changer for me.
Nice boxes. I use Large Plano Tackle boxes, the shelves come out so they can be used for electric hand tools too.
This is awesome! did see a video on a similar setup, and he made a "skeleton" base, that made the boxes stay in place even if one of them was removed.
I have a small apartment, and I desperately need this. I don't even have a machine shop, I just have a bunch of junk.
Thanks for the video!
I made my own bins as well, just of a different design, but I hadn't thought to make some narrow ones for items I don't have a lot of. That's a great idea! I use onshape so adding the parameters to my own design was pretty simple.
Thank you James! I'll be upgrading to this approach this year. 👍👍😎👍👍
I love your videos, I'm a patron, and I love the detail you put into your videos. But I nerded out so hard on this one, lol. Thanks!
Oh, boy, do I understand your analysis paralysis and the fear of the future consequences of your present choices!
That was great. Just finished printing on my iFast that I bought on your review. Love that printer. Added a dedicated sticker holder and a small lip on the front for easier grabbing. Thanks again for the design :)
I made a similar system for a Lista cabinet I have, but I designed a grid the bins locate in that I attached to the bottom of the drawer. This keeps the bins from sliding around when some have been taken out of the drawer.
I also designed a little tab that extends into the box a bit, big enough to put a label on and also used as a place to lift from with your finger. I found that bins in the center are hard to get out without it as there is no place to grab.
I have previously printed a TON of little boxes almost identical to these to organize drawers throughout the house and garage. I love that they are removable and can be made to fit items exactly. I will definitely be learning to use some of the methods you utilize in Fusion in the future.
I thought I was the only person with this organizing OCD and got overly philosophical about these kinds of things. I'm a welder and use a Siegmund fixture table. The tool cart for the fixtures was so bad that I designed my own and always upgraded that. My boss is always confused about why I get so over-analytical about the tool placements. That's crazy to me that people don't see the efficiency rise in these efforts like I see.
28:57 - 💗 from another metric-fan American. :)
Would you mind sharing the STLs please? I am looking to upgrade my storage ands this would be a fantastic solution.
Very nice work. It's interesting that software folks are interested in machining. I fit in this camp too.
Nice work, James. Your grasp of 3D CAD never ceases to amaze me. I have one little tip on the label maker since I have the same brand. If you set the units to metric, the label length and spacing (i.e. for terminal blocks) is more accurate.
Did something similar.
Some additional hints:
Use white plastic. In deed easier to see the parts in the box.
Make the boxes so small, that they are almost filled to the top. So you use the complete z- and don't waste x-y.
I went with Gridfinity. It makes some decisions easy (like how many I can fit in a given space) and then it's just a matter of using 1x1, 1x2, 1xN, 2x2, 2x3, etc.
You can adjust the grid size by scaling most of them to fit almost any space, especially using the SCAD remake that has all the parameters needed.
There's also FreeGrid which is similar to gridfinity but with a few different design choices. But yeah, SCAD is so good for this kind of work.
I have similar organizational anxieties. I also have some object permanence issues such that if I can't promptly find the thing, I'll stall out, re-purchase, or tear everything down until it's located. As a result, I'm gradually replacing cardboard boxes with semi-transparent totes, and moving rigidly organized items into my solid color totes.
Alex Chappell has a similar system. But his 2.0 versions includes a floor grid to help allign boxes
Great ideas in a great video, James! I also had these "decisions, decisions, decisions" to make - when I moved to a new workshop and had to organise all my tools and hardware again. It took me forever to get "all" the tools onto walls and in drawers - I still have tons to do. Maybe it's time to sell some of the ones I have multiples of? And that's another good side of going through Your stuff from time to time. You get rid of dead meat, and free up space! Bonus!
Great video. I have found that small washers and things like resistors tend to get out of place if the boxes are tipped up. To prevent it I have lined the inside of the lid with a thin piece of neoprene foam. Keeps everything in place and even keeps the boxes from sliding around if the box is not completely populated.
I am so familiar with the analysis paralysis you describe.
A nice example of a modular and adaptable system.
Fantastic. I just started doing the same thing based on Schaller Corp parts bins I ordered a while back. 3D printing as well as Fusion 360 are still new to me. The parametric feature is really what makes this practical. Love your channel. Cheers from Vancouver.
Great video. Learned some Fusion 360 features as well. I’d have to keep the latches closed or someone (probably me) will grab a handle to pick it up like a briefcase and parts will go everywhere.
Easily my favourite solution I've seen for this problem. I've tried using gridfinity but never really found a home for the boxes so they 'float around'. This is really nice
I'm happy to see more discussion of small shop organization. I looked up the prices of those boxes and the 12 box stack that James has is $700 before tax and shipping.
I paid around half that. Prices vary a lot.
Gridfinity is all I'm saying. Check it :-)
Small Price for quality. I cannot tell you how much i hate the plastic sorting bins.
Also, I've seen this exact stack for about $85 at surplus auctions (after the auction concluded)
Thank you so much for posting the Fusion 360 walk through. Took me several attempts but finally got it to work. This solves a world of problems with my service truck - I have the 12 x 18 x 3 drawers in my service truck and now I can get things organized with the limited number of drawers. Working on some stack able/nesting inserts so a smaller box can fit inside another - I.E. 10A micro fuse inside the 10A mini fuse, or your application, 4mm nut inside/on top of the 4mm flat washer.
Filament cost and print time is spooky compared to buying the factory insert though. I need to use thicker walls - 1.6mm so I am around 400kg per build plate and 7 hours, which will be about 1.3 rolls per tray - and I am using PLA+. 4 spools of filament and near 72 hours total printing on estimate.
As a person that also works in software I appreciate that whatever system I choose at first it will be wrong and I need to make change easy
And I hit enter right before you said this same thing.
Some of the commercial boxes (like the harbor freight ones) and printed designs from other UA-camrs use features on the bottom of the box and a grid in the bottom to hold them in alignment even without being complete full.
I have Orange Big Box "tackle" style removable separator boxes that are about 1/3 the size of your drawers and I have had them for many years. I find that having a box for each screw size (like 10-32 or M6) is the end game, but I do have mixed boxes for things I don't have a lot of. As with yours, everything is labelled--the box itself and the compartments. If the fastener came from McMaster, I will often put the flap from the McMaster box underneath the fasteners so I can reorder when the time comes like a mini kanban card.
I also use coin/stamp collecting little envelopes (3.5x2.25") that I label and put in a box. The stuff smaller than about M3 really benefits from the envelopes so it does not get lost--you can blue tape them closed so you can reuse them. For stuff I have a lot of in different types such 1/4-20 and M6, I have a box for regular and a separate box for stainless, etc. I organize my taps and dies, some drill bits that don't go in drill index, etc. in a similar way. And my mini-pallet clamps have their own box.
I got interested in the Gridfinity system that is open-source 3D printed boxes and grids under then. The boxes are on a 42x42mm grid with box heights from 14mm by 7mm steps. I think that might be the next thing I'll try.
I can so relate to what you say! Thanks, truly enjoyed watching it 😊
I feel your pain. I have stuff in multiple storage "systems". I love the Milwaukee packout system but it is cost prohibitive for keeping everything in. I also use various sizes of Arko bins that are hung on the wall with cleats. Arko bins are great for really big stuff but are limited in their ability to be re-sized. I use Plano boxes for small items. These boxes work but lack the ability to easily change sizes due to the internal dividers being pre determined by the manufacture. I have been inspired. Now all I need to do is think about the ramifications of changing "my system" which will ultimately lead to additional procrastination.
James, great video. Especially on the parameter use in CAD.
Of course I want to add a little tip. It's in the nature of this friendly human being. Your boxes are a great solution for a static use in a shop like you do. I also travel to clients and have noticed using several similar systems that the lid doesn't close all of the compartments during carrying vertical. If you store your. e.g. M2 nuts in a compartment somewhere in the middle they migrated to other boxes in their vicinity and the easy in, easy out principle is lost. One major problem, as you described too, is the lack of stiffness of the lid which bowes when closed. The row next to the hinge and the row next to the lock/closure are quite well covered (not if you are storing M2 washers too though). Because of this I used a layer of foam on the inside of the lid and it did became better but still not satisfactory and I still had to search for the really small parts on the job (I know you're in there somewhere with a paying client breathing in my neck). Because of this issue I printed small containers with their own lids. I carry a lot of the same small hardware over the last 20 years so 80% of them had a name printed on the lid too. The other ones had a small recess for a printed designation and added flexibility to the system. Maybe a tip for the more travelling technicians who want to keep their small stuff organized as well? Thank you James. I'm a fan of you and your channel. Keep up the good work. Best, Job
PS; the idea of being organised is like the arithmetic definition of a limit; the direction is right but you'll never get there. When you own a job shop this is particularly true; new valuable/usable stuff is left after finishing jobs and you stash it somewhere eventually; the diversity of these parts becomes overwhelming over time and even finding right names can become an issue. It's a never ending race and a dream to fulfill. Once you entered the six planks leading to you being finally organized your organisational days are finally over and someone else has to decide where to put it. If you want it to be different you have to periodically throw stuff away laying there for more than a year without use. I did this many times and once I did I could use one of the thrown away parts the week after they left the building. I guess Murphy watched my performance too. You never get it quite right is my message and that's the beauty too.
The foam is a good idea. I wonder how that will hold up over time. I generally don't tilt the boxes all the way back, so things stay put, but for mobile use, or throwing in a vehicle, it would be an issue.
I wish I had something like your little boxes when I was in the Navy and had a vidmar with about 10k electronic components in it.
Also, you’re weird. It’s why we love you.
"Normal" people don't understand our struggles.
I came to a very similar system over the years. Mine is based on modular plastik bins and metal cases sold by Allit. The cases have a layer of foam in the lid, so even the smallest parts can't escape. They also make bins for drawers.
Hmhhhh, i have a feeling i know how i am gonna spend my Christmas with one of my new Prusas... Watching this channel can be rather dangerous. Thank you for the great knowledge James!
Dang, those drawers look really slick. So slick I bet they're pretty darn expensive 😁
For the two cabinets and 12 boxes: ~$660
Alexandre Chappel has an extensive system of 3d printed parts storage boxes that has gone through several design iterations. His are based on different drawers and cases though.
His solution includes a grid frame that goes in the bottom of a drawer so that the boxes don't move if the drawer isn't fully populated.
Right on, I have those same boxes and a few different trays, but you make good points, I always end up with a few of many things. I should follow your lead
Oh jeez you are speaking right to me about starting anxiety with systems where many scenarios are just as good. I’m with ya brother.
Category „strangely satisfying“ 😊
For the electrical crimp connectors, see if you can have a spot for the crimp tool in the same storage box. Once I started doing that it saved me so much looking for the right tool.
Excellent video! And you are definitely not the only one suffering from disorder anxiety...
I use pouches for small amounts of small parts, makes them easy to get, reasonable fast to find (just flip through the labels), and the pouch can have lots of text to describe what it is (electronics parts in particular).
What kind of pouches did you find useful? I'm looking for a nice way to get my misc hardware sorted, and something flippable sounds really nice.
@@klaernie Quart Zip Locks lined up in clear containers works good. Snack bags seems like they are always changing sizes. But, you can decide on the "Perfect Size" Ziplock and order them from Uline and other places, pay a bit more and usually go back a few years later and buy the exact same bags.. Usually with label areas on them, etc..
I’m also a software engineer. I love to hear the software engineers thoughts on a machining channel
I've been doing something similar with my organizing of electronic components, specifically crimp connectors, at work, of which we use many *many* different types and brands. For labeling, I try to add more parameters. Specifically for your bolts, I would add the thread pitch, material & finish, drive size, and part number. Stuff like that ends up saving me so much time in the long run.
I have gone with cards; I use notecards trimmed to required size, and a hunk of double sided tape for box adhesion, with the label on the card.
Ahhh organization. Awesome!
Love seeing this. It feels like everyone with a 3D printer does something similar.
The only suggestion I might have for the boxes would be to allow the boxes to stack when empty. As your system evolves you will have unused boxes that you will probably want to keep for future changes.
Hahaha,printing storage boxes is like 3D printer baptism.
Ha, taxonomy! I like it.
I have these and the Lista cabinets and the bins are great. I didn’t consider pulling the trays and replacing with custom bins. Another project added to the list.
The mixed matched colors would bother me though
That must have taken a long time to print. Thanks for the video keep on keeping on.
I've thought of 3d printing little boxes for lathe and miller tooling I keep in a roll cabinet, but my printer doesn't like PLA since I set it up for nylon and tpr, and I'm not wasting nylon filament on drawer organisers.
You could have done with starting with Stanley 8 compartment (deep, part no 1-92-749) and 25 compartment (shallow, part no 1-92-748) boxes. They come with removable individual boxes, with the exact arrangement varying depending on whether it's the deep or shallow version (at least 2 sizes per box). They're what I store all my fasteners and pipe fitting, etc in. It's a pity they don't have radiused bottom corners on the smallest boxes though. I've been meaning to make a cabinet with drawer frames for my 20 or so of these boxes of small parts for years, but it's not got to the top of the the 'to do' list yet.
glad to see you being more and more progressive with Metric hardware and measurements 😀 now we just have to get you to say Mill instead of millimeter 😁
have a gander at Alexandre Chappel here on youtube he has a fantastic version of these printed boxes that have a gridlock system underneath. although i do like your rounded floor design as its a pet peeve of mine.
Seen other systems, and they generally include a grid on the bottom, which keeps the other boxes in place when you remove one.
Also, as someone else pointed out, the 8/3 calculation disregards the spacing
Durham has box liners w/divider inserts. They’re pretty nice too, they have curved bottoms and the imagery placing can go as low as around 1”
Also, the fit of the inserts are really tight, which is nice b.c once they’re in they feel basically permanent. I think mine have 4 vertical rows w/the 1” spaced insert wells
Have you looked at the opensource project called gridfinity? :)
came here to say the same thing, established open source/open hardware version of this concept
@@Khitiara_ I found it a lot of active creators, like James, are busy creating content not raoming UA-cam for interesting projects.
@@CraigHollabaugh hence why this comment is useful - let james know about it since hes busy and might not have seen it
@@Khitiara_ agree
Have you or could you do a tutorial on the dymo label maker please? I didn’t realise you could set parameters on the labels 🙄
I have a whole bunch of the 3 inch high Durham boxes and no 3D printer, does anybody know where I can buy small plastic separating containers like these?
Great vid as usual. 👍👍👍
I went with a combination of reconfigureable plano tackle boxes, Stanley yellow boxes similar to this, and Rigid for bigger construction screws. The common theme is a clear lid so I can see without opening for the odd stuff. Also bigger clear Sterlite 11x17 bins that fit in my cabinets and shelves
I immediately run to my psychoanalyst to tell him that I have found the solution to my anxiety problem ! I'm going to print boxes right now. Thank you very much Dr. James ! 😁
My anxiety about organising is at the point where I don't even dare buy boxes/storage drawers. Because I used to buy a couple extra, you know for possible expansion. And after a couple of years I wanted to buy extras and couldn't because the design/system was either not available anymore, or slightly tweaked and thus not compatible anymore.
But this looks like a nice idea/solution.
Very nice James! I'm going to look into doing this.
thanks for the fusion 360 lesson, I might use some of these tricks in my own designs
Funny, this is almost exactly like a project I did a year ago. It was great to be able to custom design the trays to fit my storage and to produce them at will.
Visitors is the only reason I clean anything ever.
Will you be sharing your STL files for these? It would be great to be able to mimic what you have done.
a little bit of draft on the boxes will make them stackable so you can have a compact way of storing all the different sizes of boxes
The insight to your logic and dare I say phobias in this vid, is a gold mine...a deep, complex, multi-fissure chasing, sprawling, subterranean, OCD gold mine, but a gold mine none-the-less. I consider myself reasonably proficient in 360 and most tasks in and around the shop. I however never think to use parameters from the onset, which is basically the same concept as your approach to organizing hardware. Plan for change from the start. I just bought my son an entry level 3D printer. He's working on custom organization for his Milwaukee Pack-out system. I'm going to suggest that he too, takes a look into your thought process.
I like how you put the Metric fasteners in the superior drawers 😏
I access them more often, so that makes sense. It's also easy to change if that doesn't work out.
I'm doing a similar thing only with stackable storage systems that have been blowing up. I basically made server racks out of square tube. I can drill, rivnut, and install slides as I grow my collection, while having larger boxes for larger tools. Love it, but the boxes are about an inch too tall for some things. Not the end of the world.
Just spent several days printing similar (Gridfinity) boxes for a storage cabinet. Your design is a bit more flexible.
I was just going to mention Gridfinity. What parts of this do you find more flexible (I haven't printed gridfinity yet, but was planning to.)
@@NathanSpaeth The main thing I can think of is possibly that Gridfinity has a specific core X/Y size. That can either be "not flexible enough" or "I don't have to worry about this" depending on the person and possibly circumstances. For example, James has boxes of a specific size that he wants to completely fill, and that size probably isn't a clean multiple of the Gridfinity X/Y, so he may have considered it more flexible to adapt his bins to the Durham dimensions.
That said, one thing I _do_ think James should consider adapting from Gridfinity is where Zack's tiny parts bins had a little lip on the top back for more visible label placement and also being able to more cleanly pull a bin out/put it back in, which James had noted having some trouble with.
On the other hand, Gridfinity allows to stack multiple (shallow) boxes. Great for smaller stuff. Just love Gridfinity.
Great project and video