May 30, 2024

 

Hexa-Board Wall Organizer

Who needs pegboard when you have a 3D printer?  This is my version of a 3D Printed wall board for tool organization.

There are a bunch of other variants of printed organizer board out there such as the original Honeycomb Storage Wall, Multiboard, and Thread Boards.  Before starting this project I tried multiboard (as you can see above) but none of the pieces I test printed seem to fit that well. The snap in hooks didn’t really fit and the threaded stuff was way to tight (maybe it was just my settings though) and overall I didn’t like how all of the tiles used these clips to hold everything together. (I didn’t need the main board to be modular) I also didn’t like the aesthetics of the plain square tiles of these systems so I set out to design something more custom to my liking.

I like the honeycomb look of the Honeycomb Wall system but still didn’t like the square tiles so I went with a hexagon main shape see here. These should fit together in a cooler looking pattern.

I also didn’t think I need as many options as say the Multboard offered as it seemed overly complicated and I heard the press in inserts are prone to popping out… so I just went with threaded main inserts (similar to Thread Board) for everything which I can then use hooks and heatset brass inserts to screw holders onto. These are timed screw inserts so they have a TDC (top dead center) mark on the back to show UP ↑.

I needed a new organization system because I was re-setting up a new printer room after recently moving. I drew up the room in CAD to figure out how big of a bench I could fit in the room.

I went with a L shape bench along two of the walls.

Next I had to build the benches to get setup enough to be able to print stuff again.

With the room and benches already drawn up in CAD it was really easy to figure out how many tiles I need to print for the “look” I was going for.  I was going for more of an “art piece” over just the squared look. The total (for now) was 47 pieces with each piece taking about 3.5 hours to print.

I printed the tiles in Easy Rock White PLA from Overture for that added “artsy look” look.

Here are all 47 pieces after a few weeks of on and off printing.

As I mentioned I don’t like the random clip together pieces of the other systems all over the place on the wall so I choose to just glue all of my tiles together with CA glue.

I don’t know if it’s needed but I designed little recesses in the rear to fit piece of filament to help join the tiles (almost like rebar), this might be overkill or a waste of time… but I don’t need the main board to be modular… once it’s up it’s not coming down.

A quick test fit for height.

It’s a process to glue them altogether one at a time but it should be worth it in the end.

A Few Hours Later… (you read that in “that Voice” didn’t you?)

The wall mount inserts just screw into the board tiles and attach to the wall studs with screws.

I mounted it flat to the wall to avoid any shadowing behind the tiles.  So far I think it looks awesome.

The inserts will be customized as I go but for starters I have basic hooks…

… and ones with heatset inserts.

The heat set inserts are an added step but allow me to secure different holders to the insert without having to worry about anything popping out.

This one is for my bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol.

On single point inserts I added a filament pin to keep the holder in the correct orientation.

That one being a scissor holder.  Some holders like this paper roll holder have four inserts holding it to the wall.

Here is a simple custom shelf to hold a stamp pad.

The customization possibilities are endless.

Everything will have a place.  I’d like to say this will keep the bench top free and clean but I doubt it. 🙂

I did make a Multiboard compatible insert but haven’t tried it with anything yet from that line up.

I have some more stuff to design but this is were I’m at so far.

More to Come….

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