CLIP a Customizable Shelving System

CLIP is also includes different types of connectors so you can customize your shelves the way you like.

CLIP includes a variety of connectors so you can take you shelf to a end table or even a coffee table!

• The accessories include:
• A Clip on White Board and Marker Holder
• A Clip on Peg Board with Pencil Holder and Hooks
• A Clip on Pencil holder
• A Clip on Hook Rack
• A Clip on File Holder
• Other Customizable Clips

Materials:

1 inch Aluminum Square Tubing 15 feet

Any type of wood for shelving 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch thickness

3D printer Filament

5mm 20mm Screws 32 total

12*12 White Board

Tools:

3D Printer

Hand Saw or Band Saw

Table saw

Drill with appropriate Bit

Screw Driver or Drill

Sand Paper or Power Sander

Chop Saw

File

Inspiration

I wanted to design a shelf that was modern but also able to be used for different needs. I like the look of this type of shelf and based my design off of it. I wanted something modern but not all black and white. I think that black or silver rails for the legs would look great with wood for the individual shelves.

Design Challenges

For the dimensions of the shelves I chose 12 inch by 24 inch. I chose these dimensions because it is compact but still has a lot of storage. The shelves are placed evenly 1 foot apart from each other but can be modified so there is a larger area in between. The top shelf has a rail that goes around it but this is optional as there are caps included. Unfortunately I had to make some design changes to give it better stability. For this I added 8 screws per shelf. You can go with only 4 but if you want the shelves to hold large weights I would go with all 8. While designing I made sure that I designed feet to attach to the bottom of the aluminum tubing. This is important so your nice floors don't get destroyed. If needed you can also put pads on the bottom. While designing I also made it so it was easy to change out parts and customize to your needs!

The Frame

The shelving system is built using different 3D printed connectors. There are 3 main connectors, 90 degree, straight, and a shelf bracket. There is also a shelf bracket cap connector. These connectors just slide into the aluminum square tubing. Please Note: Before buying the square tubing check that the 3D printed connectors will fit. The shelfs sit on top of the shelf brackets and get screwed in.

The Accessories

The accessories are attached to the aluminum tubing by clips. The peg board has 2 attachments for it. A pencil holder and two hooks. The attachments slide in the holes have a friction fit. You can also add 1 inch wooden dowels if you want to add a different type of hook. There is a clip on whiteboard that includes a marker holder. There is also a rack of hooks and a pencil holder that clip in. Even better though, there is a file holder! I have modeled some clips so you can attach your own pencil holders or whatever you want!

Start 3D printing parts for the frame. 3D printed parts needed for the frame with the top rail include:

• 16x Shelf Brackets.
• 4x Feet.
• 4x 90 Degree Connectors (For Top Rail)

Please Note: If building shelf with No top rail you need to print 4 Shelf Cap Brackets.

Cutting Aluminum and Wood

While printing cut your aluminum tubing into 22 parts with a chop saw

Aluminum Tubing Lengths:

• 12x 12 inch parts.
• 8x 4 inch parts.
• 2x 10 inch parts (For Top Rail).

Wood Shelves Dimensions:

Cut the wood of your choice to 12 inch by 24 inch with a table saw.

On each corner cut a 1 inch square out with a band saw.

Add finishing oil or stain to finish the wood.

Parts Needed:

• 16x Shelf Brackets
• 32x 5mm 20mm Screws
• 4x Shelves
• Optional 4x Shelf Caps

Steps:

1. Insert screws into the shelf brackets
2. Then screw them into the shelf
3. Do this for the other 15 corners

Please Note: If you want the shelf without top rails then attach the optional shelf caps instead of 4 regular shelf brackets on one of the shelves.

Parts Needed:

• 12x 12 inch rails
• 8x 4 inch rails
• 4x Feet
• Optional 4x 90 degree connector
• Optional 2x 10 inch long rails

Please Note: Option parts are for the top rails

Steps:

1. Attach all 4 feet to one side of 4 of the 4 inch rails
2. Optional: Attach all 4 90 degree connectors to one side of the other 4, 4 inch rails
3. Optional: Slide in the other side of the 90 degree connector to the 2, 10 inch long rails

Please Note: Optional steps are for the top rails

Parts Needed:

• 4x Shelves with attached brackets from step 4
• 12x 12 inch rails
• 4x 4 inch rails with feet attach
• Optional 2x Top rails from step 5

Please Note: Top rails can be swapped for the shelf bracket caps

Steps:

1. Attach 4, 4 inch rails with feet to the bottom of one of the shelves with brackets.
2. Attach 4 of the 12 inch rails to the top of the shelf with feet.
3. Then attach another shelf to the top of the rails.
4. Attach another 3 sets of shelves and rails
5. Optional: Once the shelf is 4 shelves top attach the 2 top rails from step 5 to the top of the shelf

Please Note: Top rails can be swapped for the shelf bracket caps

You can choose which accessories to use with your shelf. You can use the customizable accessories to create your own accessories. The customizable parts all have holes for screws to attach parts. Parts can be printed with lower infill to use up less filament for larger parts. You will also most likely need to slice the models for printing. You may need to sand parts and paint if you do not want to see the layer marks. I think a flat black would go well with silver or black rails!

The shelf can be turned into a end table, coffee table, or even a desk! Use your imagination and create your own custom shelving ideas!

I designed a few mounts to attach two of the shelves together! One is just a connector and one is a connector with a insert for a rail!

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.