3D Printing Tool Caddy - Hex Key & Nozzle Holder, Labels, Modular, No Supports

A desk organizer for the tools that live next to your 3D printer. Every tool has its own deep hole or slot, so nothing tips over or rolls off the desk, and the spare nozzles, hex keys and small parts finally have a labelled place.

Two modules, joined by two dovetails

- Tools module (back, 160 × 62 × 55 mm):

- glue stick up to Ø 30 mm (hole Ø 31, 40 mm deep);

- scraper / spatula with a blade up to 50 mm wide (slot 3.5 × 52 mm, 45 mm deep);

- flush cutters, head down (slot 13 × 24 mm, 32 mm deep);

- flat nozzle wrench (slot 5.5 × 28 mm);

- 2 tweezers (Ø 13 mm holes, 42 mm deep);

- nozzle-cleaning needles: a Ø 10 mm hole for the needle tube or pin vise and 4 Ø 2 mm holes for loose needles;

- 2 spare Ø 14 mm holes for a deburring tool, hobby knife or marker.

- Bits module (front, 160 × 85 × 25 mm):

- 16 spare nozzles with M6 thread: Ø 6.5 mm holes (0.25 mm per side), 8 mm deep, in 4 labelled columns (0.2 / 0.4 / 0.6 / 0.8);

- hex keys 1.5 / 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 4 / 5 mm in 22 mm deep holes, each with its size label in front;

- a round well Ø 62 mm for a sample spool or a coil of test filament;

- a scoop tray 35 × 51 mm with a rounded floor for screws, PTFE bits and small parts.

- Together: 160 × 142 × 55 mm. The tools module slides down onto the dovetails of the bits module.

Optional hook: the tools module also hangs on a hook that goes over a 20 × 20 mm aluminium profile (the hook gap is a parameter: set it to your panel or shelf edge thickness + 0.4 mm). The same dovetails carry it; a 45° stop at the top of the dovetail holds the module at the right height.

Labels

- One colour: print bits-single. The labels are engraved 0.8 mm deep. Optionally swap filament at the layer 24.4 mm (first layer of the engraved letters).

- Multicolour: bits-single and bits-labels share the same coordinate frame. Load both as two parts of one object and give the labels their own colour. The labels fill the engraving, which is the top 0.8 mm (4 layers) of the flat top face, so only 4 layers change colour.

Make it fit your set (parametric .scad, Customizer)

Width, glue stick diameter, scraper width and slot, cutter slot, wrench slot, tweezers hole, needle hole, spare holes, hex key sizes (labels are made from the numbers), nozzle rows / columns / labels, spool diameter, hook gap and leg, dovetail clearance.

IN THE FILES

- printing_tool_caddy-tools.stl: tools module.

- printing_tool_caddy-bits-single.stl: bits module with engraved labels (one colour).

- printing_tool_caddy-bits-labels.stl: label inlay for the bits module (multicolour).

- printing_tool_caddy-hook.stl: hook for a 20 × 20 mm profile.

- printing_tool_caddy.scad: the parametric source.

SIZE: tools 160 × 62 × 55 mm, bits 160 × 85 × 25 mm, hook 108 × 35 × 32 mm. Assembled on the desk 160 × 142 × 55 mm. Every part fits a 170 × 170 mm bed.

PRINT SETTINGS: PLA or PETG, 0.20 mm layers, 3 walls, 15 % infill, no supports. Print every file as it lies: both modules stand on their floor, the hook prints upside down, flat on its top. Bed 170 × 170 mm or larger (one part per plate on a small bed). Filament: tools about 170 g, bits about 105 g, hook about 28 g (estimates from the volumes). Economy option: 2 walls and 10 % infill, tools module about 130 g.