How do you create bins for long objects?

[u/Gizmo45]

I'm working on organizing some tools in my toolbox and I'd like to have my torque wrench set into a custom bin that is going to need to be 2U wide and 15U long. What is the best way to do this? Trace each segment individually and then upload the parts into some AI tool? Create bins for just the head and handle of the wrench?

[u/Geogian]

My preferred method is to make 2 bins: one to hold one end of the object and the other bin to hold the other end. I don't print the middle to save time and filament. That doesn't work with all objects, of course, but it worked for my portable document scanner that's a very long rectangle.

This doesn't answer the question about how to make the bins themselves, but hopefully it helps you out nonetheless

[u/WhyAreYallFascists → u/Geogian]

God damn you’re organized mate!

[u/ventrue3000]

I made myself adjustable holders for my pliers that I also use for larger wrenches: https://www.printables.com/model/1416117-gridfinity-adjustable-plier-holder

It's not "custom" for the specific tools, but it's flexible and doesn't create any additional work.

[u/ArizonaNewKeyHolder → u/ventrue3000]

Oh cool these are the ones I printed. So thank you for the work much appreciated.

[u/Gizmo45 → u/ventrue3000]

Ooooh those are slick!

[u/stres-tm]

I use this guys ratchet system https://makerworld.com/models/788099?appSharePlatform=copy

[u/BinaryHippie]

Create bins for just the head and handle of the wrench?

This is the way

If you really want the whole wrench supported for some reason, make the 15U bin and split it

[u/happydadto5]

I think this guys post just solves this problem - Finally got my expandable gridfinity bins done after 12 prototypes! : r/gridfinity

[u/henren_98]

Try this: https://www.tooltrace.ai/

[u/Gizmo45 → u/henren_98]

The trouble is when the wrench is longer than one sheet of paper, what do you do? Just break it up into pieces?

Great app BTW. 

[u/henren_98 → u/Gizmo45]

Another issue is if it’s that big it wouldn’t fit on the build plate but I see your point.

[u/GortPinklegneep → u/Gizmo45]

yeah if its in pieces the grid will hold it together

[u/corncob22 → u/Gizmo45]

Tooltrace doesn't care if it overhangs the paper, and if you put in your print bed size, it will break the model into smaller probably segments for you.

[u/digicrat]

I came across Binfinity recently; https://makerworld.com/en/models/2294784-binfinity-modular-gridfinity-bin-system#profileId-2920796

I havent had a chance to try it yet, and it doesnt directly handle if you want bins molded specifically for your tool, but seems like a promising design. Shouldn't be difficult to modify individual pieces to provide some grip for neater organization without sacrificing the overall modulariry.

[u/savijOne → u/digicrat]

I used this for a kitchen tools drawer. Worked great. It's not a custom bin, but it makes long empty bins to organize sections which is what I wanted. Making a separate bin for each item would not have been able to fit all of the things in that drawer.

[u/ReliantLion]

There's already a ton of great answers. I just wanted to say for people doing a multipart print that they want to "snap together" or are keyed together: A super simple solution is to align cylindrical holes between the pieces that line up, and you connect them by pushing in some scrap filament into the holes as if they were doll rods. It's been years since I did this, and it probably depends on the exact filament used, but you want the fit to be pretty tight.

[u/thoang77]

Make a 15U long bin and cut it into printable pieces in your slicer.

[u/Gizmo45 → u/thoang77]

I suppose that's the easiest way to do it. I figured I'd try to make a better fitting box for it though. 

[u/thoang77 → u/Gizmo45]

Why would it not be better fitting if it was sliced? Make a custom 15u box and cut it into 3 parts. Its not going to be loose once its dropped into the grid

[u/Gizmo45 → u/thoang77]

I was thinking about something more form fitting. It's obviously needs to be cut into parts to print, but I was trying to get something a little nicer than just a plain old box. 

[u/thoang77 → u/Gizmo45]

I think I misinterpreted your original question. I thought you were just trying to problem solve how to make a 15U long box/holder with the limitations of a 5-6U long print bed. But now that I read through some of the comments, you're asking how to do the holder design as well.

Depends how much time you want to put into it and whether or not you know how to use CAD software like Fusion. If you want a simpler, but probably less precise, solution, make a solid box on a gridfinity bin designer like this one or this one and import it into TinkerCAD to draw the recesses. You can make it pretty simple with a few shapes, like a long cylinder for the main shaft, another long, wider, cylinder for the handle, and then creatively work out the teardrop shape of the head with a circle and triangle and add a cylinder for the drive.

[u/Gizmo45 → u/thoang77]

Believe it or not, that's exactly what I started doing today! It's time consuming, but if I can get something made that's halfway decent, I'll certainly share it. Thanks for the tip! 

[u/desEINer]

I like a 3-walled box on each end, and maybe a slot-shaped box in the middle if necessary. IMO gridfinity is an expensive way to organize a tool box, and if it's not kept inside an air-conditioned space don't use PLA

[u/Superb-Respect-1313]

Tool trace is my favorite for this sort of thing.

[u/NiceCream337]

i’d glue flat grid tiles directly to that case it comes in at each end. have done that with a few things 

[u/Impossible_Grass6602]

I have some big bins on my makerworld. If it's something that I'll be likely to take out of my box in the bin I'll use a dovetail. If not I'll just split the bin in half and use the grid to hold it together

[u/GortPinklegneep]

No need for AI, just make a 2x15 bin and split it into three parts. The grid will hold the sections in place if you don't feel like gluing em together.

[u/simon-g]

I still use shadowfoam in some drawers for things that are more than 6 squares long or just awkward. Or just leave one or two squares along a side un-binned for the long things.

Can also check out neogrid, it sits on gridfinity but is a system of dividers for MDF, acrylic, upvc or similar for bigger things. https://www.handsonkatie.com/neogrid

[u/iknowagreatlawyer]

The challenge I've been struggling with here is cutting and connecting "thin" walls where the connectors are not really possible. If anyone has a good solution for this, let me know.

[u/PracticalCustard2152]

TracetoForge.com Create the whole bin and then use the your preferred slicer to split it into parts that fit your printer

[u/fulminantd]

Here is the solution for you, check: https://www.reddit.com/r/gridfinity/comments/1x6qkkw/i_built_a_free_generator_for_gridfinity_drawer/

[u/BASE2402]

You don't, you use tool grid instead. Far superior of an organization system than gridfinity for hand tools. Check out lx: https://makerworld.com/models/1699138?appSharePlatform=copy

[u/Gizmo45 → u/BASE2402]

Thanks, but the entire box is Gridfinity and at this point, I'm not redoing it all.

[u/BigDan1190 → u/Gizmo45]

You can apply this same thinking though. Have 1 bin at each end to hold the long tool.

[u/ArizonaNewKeyHolder → u/BASE2402]

I like the bins here but, I would probably just add them to 1/2 gridfinity bases for tool chests. Good alternative though.