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3D printable file resistor container

janjjw  56 13179 Cool? (+11)
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TL;DR

  • A 3D-printable resistor container/organizer replaces an older matchbox-based parts box.
  • The organizer was sculpted as a design-education exercise, and the files are provided for anyone to download and improve.
  • The original matchbox container lasted for thirty years.
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At one time, and it will be thirty years with a cover, I glued together a resistor container from matchboxes.
Since my wife promised to buy me a 3D printer, I sculpted such an organiser as part of my design education. I attach the files. If anyone wants to comment along the lines of:
"this is wrong, that is wrong", then give it a go. The files are downloadable and anyone can improve it themselves.
Attachments:
  • 3D.rar (669.29 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
About Author
janjjw wrote 20 posts with rating 17 . Live in city Gdynia. Been with us since 2007 year.

Comments

LA72 11 Dec 2018 14:49

Here you can also find an interesting drawer in 3D. https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/3534093700_1544536142_thumb.jpg [Read more]

noel200 11 Dec 2018 17:10

There are other cool ones too: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1743145 https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2489038 [Read more]

Xaveri 11 Dec 2018 18:41

I'm just stating the fact that it's not worth printing - body about 14h of printing, drawer (one) 40 minutes (nozzle 0,4mm, layer 0,24mm thick, printing speed about 55-60mm/s). A body of 194g of the cheapest... [Read more]

zaxoniec 11 Dec 2018 18:43

The frame alone is more than a day's printing on my M200, plus 16 drawers of an hour and 40 minutes each. No point in expatiating on a machine for something that can be bought for petty cash ? [Read more]

janjjw 11 Dec 2018 20:18

No problem, you are probably right that printing will take a very long time. There is one problem: buy something like this then we'll talk. JanJJW regards [Read more]

LA72 11 Dec 2018 20:25

A big plus of the design is that it can be modularly combined. Think further about securing the drawers to slide out completely. [Read more]

noel200 11 Dec 2018 20:55

The polemic about cost is pointless. Printed items are always much more expensive than mass-produced ones. But owning a printer isn't about saving money, it's about being able to make unique things or... [Read more]

xdiax 11 Dec 2018 22:34

I bought and am using it. It works perfectly. The only downside was having to remove the lint in the individual drawers, but this is nowhere near the machining you need to do to make a 3D print look like... [Read more]

lvy 12 Dec 2018 03:35

Opie Acct idea not a bad one, if like me he has printers that just stand idle, IMO a great idea. BUT I have to complain because it's such a tradition here. what if you set the drawer handle lower,... [Read more]

sundayman 12 Dec 2018 06:42

No, it's not rude. This is not a gathering at your aunt's where it's only appropriate to praise but a DIY forum where you comment on the pros and cons. And I totally agree that printing drawers for components... [Read more]

noel200 12 Dec 2018 06:57

By the way, once you have the drawers printed, maybe you could post a picture of them here. [Read more]

Szyszkownik Kilkujadek 12 Dec 2018 09:13

@janjjw I think a photo of an old "drawer" made from matchboxes is nowhere near what you have done. I suggest you post at least one visualisation of your design. [Read more]

Hetii 12 Dec 2018 09:18

And I like the idea there. Generally the problem with bought drawers is that they are too big for small electronics. I too have built a binder based on matchboxes and wanting to transfer this now... [Read more]

Janusz_kk 12 Dec 2018 10:32

For resistors, capacitors and similar small THT components, envelopes are the best, they cost pennies and take up little space. They cost pennies and take up little space. Put them in a shoebox or smaller... [Read more]

mrrudzin 12 Dec 2018 11:00

To the cost of material and electricity and the time it takes to print you forgot to add the time it takes to design and refine the design so that it can be printed. In my opinion, "as part of learning... [Read more]

Szyszkownik Kilkujadek 12 Dec 2018 11:02

From what I understand it @janjjw no printer yet. [Read more]

mrrudzin 12 Dec 2018 11:49

Shepherd of Several Yes, but hopefully he will come back here and show what came out of his project. [Read more]

LA72 12 Dec 2018 12:09

Visualisation in Cura 15. https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/6446541400_1544612909_thumb.jpg https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/8263014300_1544612909_thumb.jpg [Read more]

Mishot 12 Dec 2018 12:40

@Hetii not missing: https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/2233881200_1544614750_thumb.jpg https://www.ebay.com/itm/-/172113708463 [Read more]

FAQ

TL;DR: Printing the body takes ~14 hours and each drawer ~40 minutes; “it’s not worth printing.” [Elektroda, Xaveri, post #17620220]

Why it matters: You’ll avoid wasted filament and pick the right build vs buy path for small resistor storage.

Quick Facts

Who is this 3D‑printable resistor drawer for?

Makers learning CAD/3D printing who need compact, modular drawers sized for resistor series. It suits users who cannot find small commercial drawers and value customization over price. As one expert put it, owning a printer is about making unique or hard‑to‑buy things, not saving money. [Elektroda, noel200, post #17620634]

Is it cheaper to 3D print or buy ready‑made drawers?

Buying is cheaper and looks neater. Several owners of multiple printers said printing mass‑market items makes little sense when better drawers are cheap and available. “Use printers for what you can’t buy for a few quid.” [Elektroda, sundayman, post #17621271]

What print times should I expect for this organizer?

Reported settings: body ~14 hours; each drawer ~40 minutes at 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.24 mm layers, ~55–60 mm/s. Filament use was 194 g for the body and ~160 g for drawers, excluding electricity. [Elektroda, Xaveri, post #17620220]

How can I speed up printing the drawers without wrecking strength?

Use larger nozzles for thicker lines and fewer perimeters. One user achieved ~36 minutes per drawer with a 0.6 mm nozzle and suggested ~15 minutes with 1.0 mm for simple bins. Tune layer height and infill to suit. [Elektroda, romulus73, post #17650713]

How do I keep drawers from sliding all the way out?

Integrate a backstop nub or internal lip, or add a small latch ridge near the frame’s front. The design is modular, so you can extend sides or add clips between frames. Plan retention early in CAD. [Elektroda, LA72, post #17620557]

What design tweaks improve printability and fit?

Maintain clearance between drawer and body, start the label slot flush with the bottom, or add a chamfer to avoid supports. Expect tolerance drift on basic Prusa‑style machines; hook‑style frame connectors can be tricky. [Elektroda, sundayman, post #17622976]

Which materials and printers were discussed or tested here?

PLA was used for trial drawers. Printers mentioned include Zortrax M200 and Anet A8, with prints used for functional parts and fixtures. This shows practical, good‑quality outcomes for dedicated applications. [Elektroda, jamtex, post #17667587]

Are there ready‑made small drawers or alternatives to print?

Yes. Users linked compact commercial bins and showcased small parts containers available online. Evaluate size and orientation for wall use if choosing binder‑style boxes. [Elektroda, Mishot, post #17621803]

How should I store SMD and semiconductor parts safely?

Use antistatic (ESD‑safe) bins or bags. Passive parts are tolerant, but semiconductors can be damaged by insulating plastic drawers. Move parts from ESD bags only into ESD‑safe storage. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17658105]

Is a 3D printer a toy or a real tool for this job?

It’s a tool best for prototypes, single copies, and unique parts. Printing commodity drawers is rarely optimal, but designing and printing custom storage can be valuable learning and utility. [Elektroda, LA72, post #17623522]

What are real examples where 3D printing shines for electronics?

Custom test fixtures, faceplates with exact holes, and bespoke mounting pieces. One member built a 14‑pin spring‑loaded test connector and printed tailored panels that drop into housings. “I would find it hard today without a 3D printer.” [Elektroda, sundayman, post #17632391]

Can I make this organizer without 3D printing?

Yes. Laser‑cut plywood or acrylic drawers cut in ~30 seconds each are fast and cheap. Wood builds with cut plywood and glued slides also work well and scale quickly. [Elektroda, jamtex, post #17667587]

How big is the proposed organizer and what does it hold?

The author targeted very small drawers to hold the entire E48 resistor series within a compact 218 × 105 × 239 mm footprint. He noted such small drawers are hard to find in stores. [Elektroda, janjjw, post #17626818]

What do FDM and SLA mean here, and which suits small drawers?

FDM extrudes melted filament; it’s affordable but limited in fine detail. SLA cures resin with light; it’s more precise and suits small, accurate containers, but costs more in hardware and materials. [Elektroda, sundayman, post #17633993]
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