Tool Box Tutorial 101

thingiverse

Its a basic small box with a lid, but FDM printing is a blast, with numerous blogs and even more YouTube videos out there. When designing parts, these are some essential things you should do. Z-axis curves need thorough cleanup and sanding. Sanding and cleanup are something to avoid, as the more you have to fix it, the less time you can spend designing and perfecting your other designs or creating something better. Try using fewer curves and more "low poly" edges to smooth out designs. Don't focus on learning CAD software right away. Some people can pick it up quickly, but others are passionate about it. I know engineers who can render a complex gear in 10 minutes. If you're new to this hobby, Tinkercad or similar software is your best friend. Use Thingiverse, but customize it to suit your needs. Inkscape is awesome. Get ready to face failed designs. It's so important to learn from these failures. Failed prints are different; you can't help if your hot end is set too low or clogs. I'm talking about not leaving enough or too much clearance for a part. KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. I know that two-piece hinged latch is awesome and moves perfectly when printed as one piece... but think of the real world. Thin plastic parts break easily, and overbuilt things are bulky and look out of place. This box has a very simple catch on it, which works well enough for its application. Thanks to Makers Muse, 3DPrintingNerd, and CHEP for all their guidance.