3D Printed Purple Organizer for Precision Screwdrivers -or- P.O.P.S. With Tinkercad

Why is it that every time you need a specific sized screwdriver from a set, that is the only one missing? After countless times of tearing apart my desk looking for that elusive screwdriver, I decided to design a magnetic organizer.

Here is the Purple Organizer for Precision Screwdrivers or P.O.P.S.

1 - Precision Screwdriver Set

4 - 10x3mm Rare Earth Magnets

3D Printer – I personally use the Lulzbot Sidekick 747

Purple PLA Filament

Digital Caliper

Superglue

Sandpaper (optional) – 220 grit or higher

The first spec I needed to consider was where I wanted to keep my organizer. Looking at my crowded desktop, I quickly realized that this real estate was at a premium and needed to find another location. Since my desk is made of steel, I decided to design a magnetic organizer that would attach to the front of a drawer.

I used a digital caliper to take precise measurements of the screwdrivers and the other accessories that came in the kit. 

I prefer designing in Tinkercad. The available shapes in the libraries provide plenty of options for everything I need as a maker. Combining the options in Tinkercad, the precise measurements I took in the previous step, and the known tolerances of my 3D printer, I was able to accurately estimate the size of the voids required to snuggly fit each of the drivers and accessories.

Since my model is for indoor use only, I decide to print it in PLA filament. Other filaments such as ABS and PETG are more resistant to UV decay and warping due to heat. However, those characteristics come with a bigger price tag and I’ve found PLA to be more that resilient enough for my indoor applications.

I positioned the model on the printer the same way it is positioned in the Tinkercad design. This was done to reduce the need for printed supports. Removing supports from the cavities would have been a real chore and would leave the inside of each void jagged and in need of sanding. The angle of the screwdriver cavities is just enough to make them accessible when hung without requiring supports. The only supports that printed were the ones for the magnets. These are easily removed with a fingernail and will not require sanding.

I printed to model directly onto my heated magnetic bed with 10% infill and automatic supports printed at 75 degrees (voids with less than a 75-degree overhang will not require supports). A denser infill may have provided a stronger model, but I was concerned with the weight since I was planning to hang this from my drawer using magnets. So far, the organizer works great, and I wouldn’t hesitate to print another with the same 10% infill.

After the model was removed from the 3D printer, I popped out the supports from the six magnet voids. I didn’t know how many magnets it would take to keep the filled organizer attached to the front of my desk, but I assumed six would be more than enough. 

I sanded one side of four individual magnets. The rough texture will give the superglue something else to stick to. I decided to try four magnets first, and then add the others if needed (they were not needed). A small glop of superglue in each magnetic void is all it took to keep the magnets attached to the organizer.

With assemble done, I placed the screwdrivers in place (ascending size order, of course for my fellow OCD friends).

And there you have it, your very own P.O.P.S. I hope you get many years of use from this awesome Purple Organizer for Precision Screwdrivers. Please send me pictures of your models along with any recommendations you have for improvements to the model.

Stay well

-Dave