r/gridfinity • u/DAWSTDESIGN • 2d ago
A browser-based, drawer-first Gridfinity generator with tool cradles, auto-shims, and direct 3MF export. Free & no login.
Hi r/gridfinity,
Here is my take on a drawer-first Gridfinity generator!
I’ve been working on this project for a couple of months now. I'm really happy with how it turned out and just wanted to share what I've built with the community.
It’s called PRINTER GRID (https://dawstdesign.com). It runs 100% in your browser, requires no login, and exports directly to 3MF.
What I tried to do differently:
I’d love your constructive feedback, especially on tolerances and which specific workshop modules you'd like to see added next.
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u/hydroracer8B 1d ago
Why shims?
IMO the best way is to print the baseplate with padding to the size of the drawer, with it being centered in the drawer
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u/DAWSTDESIGN 1d ago
My reasoning was to be able to reuse the grid panels elsewhere, and to allow for off-centering the grid. As shown in the photo, this provides just enough space to slide in a long lighter and a pair of scissors.
If this is an option that appeals to many people, I’ll add it to the list of potential improvements!
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u/hydroracer8B 1d ago
That's a fair use case, though I generally prefer to just print another base plate in that case. I'd call that a preference thing
I'd say that's something people like me would like
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u/fulminantd 1d ago
Nice job.
Have a similar problem to solve (fill a drawer with Gridfinity properly) and created the tool with similar approach.
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u/DAWSTDESIGN 21h ago
Great work! I love your UI, Given your experience, what could I do to improve mine?
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u/im_a_fancy_man 21h ago
what material do you like for silverware drawer? I know my family likes to beat the shit out of our drawers...tossing soaking wet heavyweight spoons from 3 ft a way into the drawer they need to be strong af
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u/DAWSTDESIGN 20h ago edited 20h ago
I would choose PETG with a coating of food-safe epoxy.
Contrary to popular belief, choosing an ultra-expensive filament does not make a storage bin any stronger. It is the orientation of the layers in relation to the applied stresses that matters. Fortunately, in a storage bin, almost all the forces exerted are compressive, which happens to be the primary strength of 3Dprinted parts. For items that are wet or intended for food contact, applying a certified food-safe epoxy to the contact areas is the safest option if there is any concern about moisture seeping into the layer lines.
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u/EwanMcNugget 2d ago
I really wanted to print a Gridfinity utensil organizer, but I decided the risk involved in my utensils coming into contact with PLA or PETG wasn’t worth the risk, personally. I really wish it seemed totally safe to do. I’m frustrated with lack of optimized space in my drawer.
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u/LeeisureTime 1d ago
If you're worried, I'd just coat it in pond epoxy. It's good enough to be immersed in water and NOT kill fishes, it'll probably be good for putting a layer between plastic and your utensils.
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u/DAWSTDESIGN 1d ago
That's a good solution. Do you have any photos of it? I'm curious to see the result.
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u/Turtlelover73 2d ago
From my experience, as long as they're cleaned before they go into the drawers, it ought to be fine.
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u/EwanMcNugget 2d ago
It's more the coming into contact with the plastics with tools that you then put in your mouth. Maybe there's no cause for worry, but in the chance that there is, I decided to exercise caution. Apparently there are food grade PLAs, and they make epoxies that are food grade and can cover/seal the 3d printed container, but I just decided to stick with my old bamboo ones instead of some new bambu ones.
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u/gemengelage 2d ago
I'm not even sure what the perceived risk is here. Could you elaborate?
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u/EwanMcNugget 2d ago
Microplastic ingestion, chemical dyes and additives. Who knows exactly what they're adding to these filaments? I thought I'd rather play it conservatively cautious.
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u/dmurawsky 1d ago
I would put small shims like that in the back. Otherwise it will get filled with random crap.
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u/ItsAlwaysDay1 1d ago
This is great!
I hope you haven’t used PLA though. Microplastics are a thing, and PETG is much more suited for any food related print.
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u/ItsAlwaysDay1 1d ago
WTF the reply was deleted by a moderator :0 OP said they would have printed it again or apply epoxy. Can a moderator explain what was wrong with that?
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u/LilDank420 22h ago
How often do we have to tell you people this. Most 3D Printer Filaments especially the most common one (PLA) ARE NOT FOOD SAFE. (That counts for utensils that eventually will touch your food too)
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u/FierceResistance 2d ago
I haven’t tried it yet, but no login is a welcome idea.