Robust, Stackable, Recycled Spool Storage

prusaprinters

<p>Having tried many different empty spool based storage systems and creating a couple of varieties myself, I kept coming back to the same conclusions...</p><p>I didnt want to drill new holes in the spool, i didnt want to faff with lining up points and risk misaligning the tray axles, I didnt want to add lots of additional hardware.</p><p>I did want to print it, all of it if possible, i did want it to be robust so it could carry lots of weight, and i wanted it to stay shut when i shut the drawers!</p><p>So i designed this set...</p><p>The main axles are outside of the spool body, meaning they are free from alignment and drilling errors.<br>All the parts snap fit with each other and are all Mini compatible<br>All the doors are locking ensuring the contents don't fly out when being moved.<br>The Print-In-Place feet allow for easy rotation of the stack, and the locks ensure the motion doesnt throw open the drawers<br>Lastly, each drawer has an easily removeable contents label slot to allow you to OCD your storage as much as you want.</p><p>Unfortunately, i couldnt get away without any hardware, and a threaded rod and some nuts are still required for stability... maybe next version :)</p><p>UPDATE 30/10/21: Added the sketchup file for anyone to tinker with.</p><p>UPDATE 27/01/21: Updated the locking peg model to be easier to grip and changed the size slightly to allow for worse tolerances.</p><p>UPDATE 27/01/21: Added a new set of files for the Small Parts inlay trays, designed to make getting the tiny little parts out of the trays easier, and subdividing the space further.</p><p>Additional parts required:<br>M6 threaded rod<br>2x M6 nuts<br>Amazonbasics spools</p><p>Construction Instructions:<br>Image 1: Base parts and spindle<br>Image 2: Layer Parts<br>Image 3: Top Parts</p><p>Instruction images:</p><ol><li>gather the base parts, thread the base plug onto the thread and screw on a nut to the end, pushing the base plug onto the nut (i used a locktight threaded nut for this part).</li><li>layout the quart parts</li><li>clip in a centerplug to keep them together</li><li>thread the spindle through this assembly, this may require you put it together in a different method depending on how tight the center plug holds things together.</li><li>find the feet</li><li>clip the feet to the base assemble</li><li>grab a spool and thread it over the center plug on your base assembly</li><li>grab your drawer set of parts</li><li>slot in the dividers and the locking pegs with the flag facing out</li><li>Identfy the lower draw</li><li>Identify the upper draw</li><li>push the upper draw onto the spindle of the lower draw part - if these are quite tight you may need to lightly deburr the upper part to fit, and slot them together with a rotating force</li><li>slot the drawer assemble onto one of the base assembly corner hinge points</li><li>slot the drawer assemble closed, the lowest locking peg should slot into the base, locking it in place</li><li>repeat for your whole base layer of drawers</li><li>assemble the parts for the second layer using the existing assembly as a base</li><li>lock a center plug onto this layer assembly</li><li>slot on the second spool, repeat steps 8 to 17 for the number of spools you're using</li><li>to complete the spool storage the top parts need to be assembled, gather 4 quarts and a center plug, lock the center plug on the underside of the quart assembly</li><li>slot it over the main spool tower</li><li>slot over the top base brace</li><li>slot over the second brace and lock into the towers corner sockets</li><li>drop on the handle and thread a nut onto the remaining spindle, tightening it all down.</li><li>locate your labels and slot them into the drawer label slots</li></ol><p>Tip: if you dont need to use the divider, slot them in the back of the tray behind the tray name text on the inside.</p><p>Tip: If you print the full center model instead of quarts you can skip multiple stages of the build and it ends up more stable too.</p><h3>Print instructions</h3><p>The trays were printed in PLA, the connectors and dividers were all printed in PETG.</p><p>All prints are orientated correctly to print without supports for the most part.</p><p>One item require supports:</p><p>Base-Foot - requires support enforcers for the print in place wheel and connector, a 3mf is supplied with the required support enforcers.</p><p>!! The G-code is specific for my mini configuration so it is set to have a higher temp and slower infill speeds, adjust for your printers tolerances and materials !!</p>