Hex & Clip Kit

thingiverse

Create various objects that mimic cloth using this array of shapes and clips. Craft bags, ties, belts or even clothing by planning your design, printing hexes and clips, and hand-assembling. Check out my handmade bag in the image, with a full-size expanded second image for scale reference. My hex-tie design (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:256914) features a smaller hex pattern with neck strap, also based on the same hex and clip principle. For assembly, plan your shape, print hexes and clips, then hand assemble your object. However, be aware that this process is time-consuming. Designed for .2 or .4mm layers, I prefer .4mm as it's faster with the same appearance. ABS works best for easy clip assembly, while PLA provides a stiffer and stronger clip when printed sideways according to the STL file for maximum flexibility. Slide clips over the flat part of the hex and push them sideways over the hub to attach them. Practice makes perfect in less than a second. The hand-bag design uses 28 half hexes, 182 hexes, and 2 "hex flakes" for the sides. Mostly, it's a tube of about 14 rows by 14 hexes (excluding hex flakes, equivalent to seven hexes each). The bottom is made with 19 hexes and ten half-hexes, assembled in two wide and around 13 hexes long. Straps can be crafted using more hexes, but mine were created with little triangles. Note that there are two types of half hexes: one with a clip on the long side, and one without. The latter is used as an outer edge (for example, the top edge of a bag).