Triple Swab Dispenser

thingiverse

For my scale modeling hobby (mostly model railroad related), I use several specialized cotton swab types for paint and pastel application, cleaning, weathering, etc. Work bench space is at a premium, so rather than taking tabletop space for multiple swab dispensers, I decided to make a stacked dispenser that uses the same footprint as one Q-tip dispenser. This dispenser also has a place in the bathroom or powder room, for a variety of cosmetic and cleaning swabs. Max outside dimensions: 89mm L x 80mm D x 160mm H (166mm H w/Lid). As delivered, the dispenser is sized to allow for the slightly longer Q-tips brand cotton swabs. If you don't need this extra length, you can probably scale the STL down a few percent in your slicer, for most swab types. This dispenser can be printed with**out** supports on most printers. If you only need a dispenser for a single swab type, try my "[Q-Tip Swab Dispenser](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4876487)" upon which this design is based! **Customizing** Source **FreeCAD** files are included, if you want to do any fine-tuning. Even if you don't know *FreeCAD*, it is fairly easy to change the key dimensions, since these dimensions are defined in a built-in spreadsheet. Just download FreeCAD, load **both** .FCStd files, and double-click the "Spreadsheet" under the "3SwabDispenser" body on the "Model" tab's tree. This opens the Spreadsheet tab. Some of the yellow-background values are used in the lid, as well as on the main container. Just modify the desired number(s) in column B to adjust the dimensions (in mm) of that part of appropriate sketches - most changes (as long as they are not extreme) will adjust the appropriate inter-related dimensions and shape. Try just making small changes first, then checking the results in the 3D model. You can see your new dimension changes by viewing (double-clicking) the appropriate "...Sketch" objects under the "...Pad" items in the body tree. Have fun!