Cheap & Easy to Build Steel Filament Storage Rack - Store 80 Spools or more!

thingiverse

I've been searching for a heavy-duty rack to store my filament rolls that is built well and doesn't break the bank. Today I found a solution that I love and I wanted to share it here on Thingiverse. My solution was assembling a rack made of steel electrical handy boxes and 1/2in EMT conduit. It's extremely rugged, works perfectly, and is incredibly inexpensive to make. You can create a rack in about 10 minutes that holds up to 20 spools with just $6.15 in parts. Once made, you can set it on a table, on a shelf, mount it to a wall - the possibilities are endless. Basic Rack - Total Cost $6.15 - Holds up to 20 Spools 2x #5836134 Handy Boxes $.89ea // Link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Single-Gang-Drawn-Handy-Box-1-7-8-in-Deep-with-1-2-in-KO-s-8660/100560024 4x #97271 1/2in EMT Connectors $.44ea // Link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Halex-1-2-in-Electrical-Metallic-Tube-EMT-Set-Screw-Connector-96271/100204006 1x #101543 10' section 1/2in EMT $2.61ea // Link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-EMT-Conduit-101543/100400405 2x2 Rack - Total Cost $29.76 - Holds up to 80 Spools 8x #5836134 Handy Boxes $.89ea // Link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Single-Gang-Drawn-Handy-Box-1-7-8-in-Deep-with-1-2-in-KO-s-8660/100560024 1x #2122 50pc 1/2in EMT Connectors $9.47ea // Link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RACO-EMT-1-2-in-Insulated-Set-Screw-Connector-50-Pack-2122/203637583 5x #101543 10' section 1/2in EMT $2.61ea // Link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-EMT-Conduit-101543/100400405 Tools to Assemble: Hammer Flathead Screwdriver Pliers Hand Saw For anyone unfamiliar with using conduit with electrical boxes, check out this video to learn how to put the connectors in the box. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4pH4hUCT7g Once all the connectors are installed in the boxes, simply cut the 1/2 EMT to length, install it in the connectors, and tighten the screws. For my 2x2 rack pictured above, I assembled 8 of the boxes with connectors - 4 similar to the one shown in the video, and 4 with the 2 inside connectors on the opposite side. I then cut 8 sections at 28in, 4 sections at 9in, and 4 sections at 6in. Then just put it all together. The nice thing about this design is you can use any length you want for the conduit - making it easy to make it fit the rack anywhere. If anyone wants to keep going and make 3+ Tiers, you can use a Handy Box plate with a 1/2 Knockout: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RACO-Single-Gang-Handy-Box-Cover-with-1-2-in-Knockouts-25-Pack-861/202058330 and just keep going up! The 2 STL files are for anyone who wants to put a blank plate on the handy box. One is a basic plate, and the second has a spot where you can store your filament clips so you don't lose them. Each plate will need two #6 screws to attach it to the box. IMPORTANT! Please keep in mind the box edges are sharp and can cut you. Also, I recommend wiping everything down with alcohol when done to get all the oil off - definitely don't want oil getting on your filament. Happy Building!