3D Printed IKEA Alex Organizer System

[@cheeseparis1]

Your handle system was the cherry on the cake. Congrats!

[@thuggymcbattle]

Sharing my thoughts after using this in case it helps anyone still on the fence. I purchased this on the shop and I have 4 alex units (2 of the 6-drawer wide units with casters, and 2 of the narrow 5-drawer units). Pros - it's well designed. The components are easy to print, and the filament joints lock the pieces together securely. Everything feels very sturdy when assembled. This works great to solve the problem of making it easy to get to the otherwise inaccessible depths of the drawer Cons -For the price, it feels incomplete. There's cradles available for all the drawer variations, but the design makes it impossible to use most handle designs that slide over the opening with the wider drawer units. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but since the provided handles only fit one variation of the opening, if you have the 'other' version, you either have to opt for no handles, secure them slightly misaligned, or not use cradles in the front-most part of the drawer, which eliminates the benefits of this system. If you're on the fence, and you have the wide drawers, at the very least print the free drawer handle available on the site and see if it fits your unit. It's not an issue on the narrow drawers because the front face of the drawer is tall enough that there's clearance between most alternate handle designs and the top of the cradle. In the meantime, I'm opting to go handle-less on my wide Alex drawers but having handles is convenient enough that I'd almost rather waste the space in the back of the drawer

[@BitzboxTV]

Being able to attach parts together with filament is genius!

[@hankrooney]

the cradles do not fit to each other?

[@bozthescrewup410]

Love the use of filament for connecting! Did this for the hinge of the engagement ring box I made for my wife!

[@Nifty-Stuff]

Alex, wow! I love what you did with attaching the parts together with filament!!!

[@AndyPearson]

This is next level. I'm about to kit out my new office with these exact alex drawers. Absolutely going to do this! Well done Alex!

[@tuukkanikkila1178]

This is great for the Lego community. Most of the people who build a lot use these drawers and this style of sorting is key. What I’d want is a plate in the front plate of the drawer where I could put pieces of Lego to show what is inside of the drawer. Like a map. Lego baseplate style of plate fitted with the handle.

[@Fancylooks]

Always providing genius solutions for other designers' mistakes, you are wise, man!

[@randylovin472]

Note to the creator: I bought the models and none of the models, that I have plated so far in a slicer, have been oriented for printing. This is a super easy thing to do. Please consider this next time you release new models.

[@birdack81]

I haven't even watched the full video and I am already sold on it. I tried different variations, but nothing was what I needed. Now, I have that. Fantastic, thanks a lot!!

[@AZisk]

I liked your original idea so much that I made a parametric grid system that you can make any size squares and any height. i may make a vid.

[@Josh_P]

I started printing some gridfinity boxes for one of my drawers but this is soo much better. Just bought the files and will be printing very soon.

[@MrBertstare]

Happy paying customer since V1 I wish you and Zach could have collaborated on your original idea instead of 2 “standards”

[@ingentingbra]

Where can I find more info on Zach's system?

[@rapunkill]

@@ingentingbra search gridfinity

[@SimonLYW]

@@ingentingbragridfinity

[@MrBertstare]

@@ingentingbra just search Gridfinity in any search

[@mulberryworkshop]

this is not a standard, that is the difference.

[@EvilDaveCanada]

I LOVE THE TRICK OF USING FILAMENT TO LOCK PIECES TOGETHER !!! I'm building a 3D printed mech keyboard where the case is made of multiple parts. Guess how I'm going to connect the parts now.

[@ktn088]

Very good idea with the handles. You could also design the handles so that they just clip on and can be glued with a hot glue gun instead of screwing. This saves the holes in case you want to sell the cabinet. Thank you for being here on KZbin. I love your channel :)

[@jondelarr]

genius idea to use the filament as inserts!!

[@tobiaslemann4974]

Hi Alexandre, Big Fan of your work! Already printed a bunch of the earlier assortment boxes - funny enough until now they lived in a Alex container. Now switching to your new system! Loving your mix of great functionality and design! Keep up the good work!

[@mathiasrjacobsen]

This is insanely well done, IKEA need to collab with you for sure :D

[@sailormo_on]

this is... the coolest channel ever, truly! wowowow

[@briandgarside]

The biggest thing that this solves is that over time the Alex bottom sags a big, this solves the sagging, and the sliding aspect is genius!

[@brownk2]

You sir are the Hero I did not know I wanted, but needed. I have so many Alex things and now they will be organized.

[@KimmoJaskari]

Looks like a great system but it's pretty tailored for Alex by Alex. I've been using the rip-off, Gridfinity, for a while and I figure no point in switching now.

[@DaveEtchells]

Yeah - I actually like the pitch dimension of Alex’s system vs the smaller Gridfinity grid, as it’s a better size for the sort of small hardware I store most often. (vs smaller electronic parts). I really wish there was a half-pitch modular standard for Gridfinity, such that I could make boxes sizes 1.5x1.5 grid, 2.5x2.5, etc with base plate grids with 0.5x0.5 grid size.

[@joezappie]

@@DaveEtchells Many of the gridfinity generators let you make half grids and bins with half grid grooves. I considered using the half widths but decided against it just for simplicity. Id hate to have little 0.5x0.5 grid spot open because the surrounding bins don't fill it.

[@DaveEtchells]

@@joezappie Thanks for the tip! It had been a year or more since I’d last looked for the capability, but at your suggestion checked again and found an incredibly complete albeit complex set of OpenSCAD scripts that supports half-pitch. In situations where I’d use it (organizing larger hardware like bolts, wood screws, etc), all the containers would likely be multiples of 1.5x. I’ll look at the OpenSCAD I found, maybe there are simpler generators that will still give me the 0.5x capability. (I do love Gridfinity, suspect it accounts for 50% of my total filament use 😂)

[@joshuabooth8853]

I never get tired of you talking about organizing and 3D printing this organization system that you use! 😊

[@CU96821]

I love watching how your mind works!

[@bequ3]

Just out of interest, how much material in kilograms is necessary for fully stocked crate?

[@Brian-zl6ib]

While I've enjoyed watching your work on your house, it's good to see you back in your workshop. Look forward to seeing new projects

[@junf6347]

This is exactly what I need for my Alex Drawers.. Thanks a lot.

[@godfather22022]

I'm glad you've continued your efficient design and true engineering. You litterally are creating a system from scratch and not having to just remix someone elses hard work. Regardless if you made this closed or not, I'm glad you keep it going and update it for normal people who have a lot of ikea stuff.

[@anonymousperson4363]

The handles do make the furniture look better.

[@brunomarzano9859]

I thought you'd address the slides for the drawer. I trialed a full extension slide for a drawer, which works well. That way your system isn't hampered by the lack of full access of the drawer. Great job with designing the bin system, as always a lot of preparation goes into your products.

[@artefakt101]

What kind of extension slide did you use?

[@ShimmyX]

As always your videos are super enjoyable Alex! Don't have these cabinets but always love your approach to making things better and providing solutions! ❤

[@TheOnlySubbl]

Inspired by your organisation grid thingies I created a really similar system for my Alex drawers 2 years ago. I also chose a 40mm grid, just like you did. Recently I noticed, that the Ikea SKÅDIS system also uses a 40mm grid. You could create some shelfs or other accessories, to use your boxes on the SKÅDIS.

[@_steadfast]

I literally thought yesterday that I needed your system for my 2 Alex's! So excited to see!

[@enissay9950]

Damn I love it! I had plans to get me an Alex for my Desk, but I was holding out since my desired color was out of stock... Probably now I will already start prepping for this for when I get it! Thank you

[@Desmond_Craine]

You are squishing that 3d printing lemon to the end. Nice!

[@johnvodopija]

Love this! I bought all of the originals and will be buying these too to fit put my ikea desks and drawers. A fantastic effort and thank you for making these available to purchase. Cheers 👍😎🇦🇺

[@FrankTranDesign]

Cheaper and faster alternative that I use: cardboard boxes from my weekly grocery shopping. I was able go prototype sizes I needed and reshaped things as I needed quickly. Done with each drawer in about 5-10 minutes 😂

[@wilhelml]

Clever solution Alex!

[@itsandrewalexander]

Literally have had these for years and have been trying to find a divider system for them. Ikea used to have one ages ago but stopped selling them. This looks incredible 🙌🏻

[@jondelarr]

I love this, I will get one just to print these!!!

[@mzzegarra]

WOW, I've been waiting for this for so long! Perhaps this is the reason to buy a 3D printer. I'll buy the files for sure

[@samuelbauer9226]

Zack Freedman’s Gridfinity system fits the with of the standard Alex drawer perfectly, although without the fancy trays. I have been using it without any problems for a while now. The handles are a great addition though.

[@erin.anderson]

Which means it only solves half the problem; you are still left with the issue of being able to easily access the back 1/3 of the drawer that does not pull all the way out. Don't even get me started on the end table designs with the drawers that don't even pull half way out. >_

[@alphonsesuitperson]

@@erin.anderson removing the screw and using a elastic band with the metal T on the end works well, but does not support weight, works well for the wide drawers, but not sure on the larger ones.

[@samuelbauer9226]

@louthecoder​​⁠Yea, I know. That’s why I mentioned his design as a free alternative that by accident also fits perfectly.🤷‍♂️😅

[@RussDahlberg]

@@samuelbauer9226 Not an accident when it's a direct ripoff!

[@NickMaddock-r5y]

Hi, love the trays, they would work well in my kitchen draws, if only they were a bit longer. I was thinking you could release an extension section with the dowel joining system on each end, then folks could make the trays as long as they want by adding multiple extensions.

[@MiroSays]

Now I'm hoping for your system but for the Malm drawers!

[@yt4krist0f]

An Alex drawer (for the basic "under the table" version) hack: if you apply a little extra force, the drawers can be pulled out for a few extra cm-s (~5-6cm) which is already quite nice to reach to the back. I don't know why this works, but I didn't experience any issues, even with heavier loaded drawers...

[@shabazer]

this works for the wide 6 drawer chest as well, applying a little force opens them up further, and leaves 11.5cm in the back

[@davidmorvai5217]

Probably the drawers has bearing carts in their slides. (I dont have any of these Alex drawers, but my diy drawer did kind of the same thing)

[@renatovelarde422]

Dang, and here I just finished months of casually making tiny cardboard boxes for this purpose for legos. But this would also take forever to print and tons of plastic. I wish there was a system even close to this with the right dimensions but just holder clips to hold cardboard walls. (Yes I have tried but I’m just not that good…). Amazing work! I’ll try one drawers worth, see how long it takes.

[@c7ndk]

I really like the IKEA Helmer cabinet as you can pull out and insert the entire drawer super easy

[@DonovanBladon]

This is awesome! Purchased and printing starts tomorrow!

[@bmorr]

There are some improvements over your original system and gridfinity! I think these are cool, if I did already print out gridfinity boxes for my Alex drawer, I might have done this instead because I’ve basically failed to use the back of each drawer just like you solved.

[@kentswan3230]

A consistent design theory converted to practice. Excellent work. Please provide documentation on the download site for the printed weight of each element. This could be a collateral (free) pdf which acts as a catalog for the design. This need goes to the need to compute how much filament and thus the cost of implementing a specific storage solution.

[@MyPartingGift]

i threw the wide version into a slicer and it said 375g

[@marsgizmo]

Love the new system! Excellent design choice for connecting the pieces together 👏😎

[@AntonyHart]

No glue, genius 🔥

[@caitlyn407]

Wow, amazing! I’m obsessed!!

[@j.4941]

Can you also do a system for the IKEA TROFAST? SInce that's what so many people have for eg LEGO

[@ti0chema]

Brilliant system!

[@pipdesignshop]

It’s TECHNICALLY possible to modify the drawer slides to make the drawers slide out farther, but it’s probably easier to print these bins 👍

[@CharlKlein]

Thank you !! Thank you !! Thank you !! Thank you !! Thank you !! Thank you !! Thank you !!

[@adfjasjhf]

I was actually looking for a reason to buy a 3D printer recently.. seems like you just sold me in

[@azadvertised]

Same!

[@Brainfrz82]

I can totally recommend getting a 3d printer, but this is not the project for it. 1 simple reason: it is too expensive. For example, half of a low unit will be 125g of filament, and half of a high unit is 175g. So filling a complete Alex desk drawer will cost you about 3,5KG of filament. filling the cradles with bins will probably double that. When you just start out, you don´t want to experiment with the cheapest filament around, so think of 20 dollar/euro per kg of filament will set you back 140 dollar/euro on filament alone, and add the 20 for the designs. Now in most cases people have been printing for a while they've got all sorts of old and weird filament laying around. it's a great project to finish those rolls on without hitting the bank hard.

[@MattGrayYES]

Oh excellent timing, I was just thinking of getting some of those drawers and was wondering if your system would fit in there actually!

[@Jbobonline]

You’re great, I really like your content. Can’t say I’d print that much plastic instead of buying the original ikea ones …

[@agrariancraftsleather]

Good solution. Could you also replace the tracks to increase how far the drawers can be pulled out to improve access to the back of the drawers?

[@barrettjohnson7160]

First time I’ve seen your vids, very cool. I just bought an Alex from IKEA last weekend, don’t know if my KZbin algorithm sent me this vid because it knows I bought one. 😂

[@alexanderpasnl]

Oh my god, ever since the first video about your 3d printed containers, I've been drooling over them. I've still managed to resist the urge to start doing this myself. In fact, I'm a much too exaggeratedly 'professional' person who wants everything to be done to perfection and when things don't fit, I go crazy. So that's what happened years ago. The most bizarre burnout ever with every bodily function out of balance. But that's besides the point. I can't accept it any more. After years of living in a mess, because I had actually given up hope that I would ever get my life back on track, I finally have to buy a 3D printer to print my life back in order hahahahaha. For anyone who thinks I'm joking; I'm actually not. The amount of pleasure it brings me to store things in such detail with labels and even barcodes... inexplicable. And I happen to have an Alex cabinet in which things look like they've been thrown in from a few meters away. Now comes the figuring out which printer is most suitable. Years ago I looked at an Artillery X2 because it had a very large bed. There must be a successor for that by now. I think it would be cool to print large lampshades for example. Thanks, Alex. seem I have a hobby for the coming months... ;-)

[@arbitrary_username]

Feel you.

[@AZisk]

that drawer had your name on it

[@TarianJEDTech]

One improvement I think would be possible is making the grid on the bottom of the cradles hollow, reducing the height of the cradles and how high the boxes sit in the cradles.

[@alphonsesuitperson]

Love this idea, what length of screw did you end up using for this?

[@essexmirage]

PLEASE PLEASE do something for the Ikea Helmer drawers, I have 6 of them for hardware storage and would love to organise them properly 🙏

[@Ravera.Drawings]

You should perhaps include labels on the drawer handles, that way you can find things faster. Even if the drawer does not have the interior organizers. Example: "office stuff", "printer sheets", "electronic things", etc.

[@tonsoffun49]

Are the squares the same footprint as the Gridfinity? Edit. They are not. These are 40mm and gridfinity is 42.

[@akiyamasamalamadingdong2379]

I'm about to replace the drawer slides with ones that extend all the way out. Huge design flaw from IKEA. I did run and get the file. May start to print this weekend

[@MyPartingGift]

Where did you find full extension slides that fit these models?

[@jronmanbuilds]

Not a design flaw just cost savings. I think full extension and/or over extension are more expensive than partial extension. I could be wrong though.

[@mochachocolattevanilla]

Love it! Genius

[@ronaldjacobs8169]

Man you are totally crazy, In a very good way. You're awesome !

[@FoxGroveMedia]

I love it 🥰 this is worth every penny you are asking for it! 🍻

[@paulchambers4137]

@achappel did you print all these boxes on your A1 mini? I'm in the market for a 3d printer and love your enthusiasm for Bambulabs. Do your files have printer speeds and best settings for printing the boxes? Many thanks

[@edgarkondrakov9834]

Wow, you have your own line of furniture!

[@blakeylake11]

we just need this for the kallax drawers next ;)

[@Kosaro1234]

Are all of these boxes also available as a single large piece for printers that can handle it?

[@marksasahara1115]

Du-u-de! You are amazing! Great system!

[@C4mpblor]

Are these compatible with all the other Gridfinity designs? Literally yesterday I started printing a load for my Alex. Definitely going to make some of yours for the taller drawers

[@lopfi9526]

No his is a 40mm grid and gridfinity is 42mm. Kinda sad he isn't using the "standard". I would gladly pay for his designs if it was gridfinity.

[@1mcarrell]

Would it be compatible if you scale his models up 5%?

[@nominalvelocity]

@@lopfi9526 If you're using gridfinity but want his box design, why not just buy his files and scale by 105% in the XY axis? It's not going to be optimal for THIS particular solution because the drawers don't fit multiples of 42mm--and let's be honest 42mm is a meme dimension / reference to HHGTG made to be close to but just different enough from Mats' original idea.

[@ingmarm8858]

​@lopfi9526 sad that Alex isn't using the standard he came up with or the alternate standard that annoying dude came up with?

[@BuzzingGoober]

​​@@ingmarm8858the J stole alex's design and sadly people dont realize it.

[@Z3ROR]

You know what would be cool? If you could make a desk/pencil drawer (to attach under your desk) with this organize system as well.

[@olorf]

Is this compatible with gridfinity? Already invested so much plastic in it, so if it is then you got a sale :)

[@zapl80]

Didn't try it but it's almost definitely a no. Gridfinity uses a 42mm grid, this one is a 40mm grid and the older v1 that inspired gridfinity used a 55mm grid

[@jronmanbuilds]

You would have to make modifications to either the tray Alex designed or the Gridfinity boxes. You could also make an adapter plate to put on top of the tray with the Alex male grid on bottom and the Gridfinity female grid on top.

[@jronmanbuilds]

@@zapl80I wish they would have used 32 mm spacing as that is already a standard for many things.

[@seancheng1017]

hey do you have any videos of how to make your own 3d file and what programs you use? so i can customize the sizes and design to my own.

[@wayne_taylor]

This looks good, not sure how you feel about Gridfinity, is this compatible? I've printed lots of gridfinity and like the look at what you have done here....would be good to know it's compatible first before buying?

[@pluc61]

Gridfinity is based on Alex's system, not the other way around.

[@wayne_taylor]

@@pluc61 yes, I’m aware of this. However lots of people have adopted Gridfinity (and invested time and money) and for Alex to maximise sales it would be beneficial if it was compatible.

[@shaunofthadead]

The two systems are not compatible. Off by 2mm it seems (Alex's are 40mm and Gridfinity is 42mm)

[@jronmanbuilds]

You would have to modify the spacing of the grid. In theory you could make a new tray with Gridfinity spacing. As Gridfinity is open source, you could also just resize the Gridfinity boxes to fit within the 40 mm grid. Another option is to make a transition grid you place on top of Alex’s tray with the Alex spacing on bottom and Gridfinity spacing on top.

[@JaguarInfinity]

I love all the work you've put in to this, especially as I have Alex draws in my shed and was struggling to use the 55mm system with it. However, are there any plans to port some of the maker tool specific trays from the 55mm system over? Such as drill bit organiser, parts bowls, sanding disc holders, glove box etc. That would be the cherry on top for me so I can use my Alex draws as organisers for all my maker activity in the shed.

[@wesselgeertsma7384]

I've put this together today, haha! thanks for the video.

[@randomher089]

Love your system Alex and I'll definetly be buying it for my set of Alex drawers. A "Fix" for the permanent mark "issue" with the handles mix be a redesign where you screw in a small screw inside the drawer? Yes it will also leave a mark but atleast it's on the inside of the drawer.

[@gottria]

How do these fit the Micke desk series? I can't find the sizes for each drawer but all 3 desks look like they have the same drawer size.

[@AJbassist]

hi other alch u make great creative solutions

[@nwmo4443]

If only there was an ikea storage system designed by or with your input...I'd line up to give my money

[@pridler85]

Would love to see a system for the kallax shelfs

[@TECsta76]

Hey 👋 Them handles could’ve been clip on?

[@cocon16_PW]

Lovely solution, as always from you Alex. I kept wondering - what's that plywood stand in the back for? Right side of the screen @16:16

[@e7engle]

It looks like there is a Bambu Labs A1 on the desk with an AMS hanging above it.

[@carlemilhoeck]

I would like to see a video on the Infinity wall the Bamboo labs mini printer is sitting on in the background. (If you made it yourself)

[@Fumofuz]

The drawer handle could have a "flat spot" variation for a label, like the insert boxes have.

[@aarpi3]

It’s probably a niche request, but I would love an in-depth design proses video including your use of SolidWorks.

[@ets6611]

Bought this immediately as I have 4 units. Will probably finish printing all inserts by christmas if I am to fill all drawers😂

[@rjkirkes73]

Do you know if the drawer inserts for the Kalex units are the same????

[@debillus]

Hey Alex, care to share how you made the A1 timelapse?

[@mochachocolattevanilla]

Finally! Thank you so much

[@cyber-chicken]

Hi, I just bought the alex system, but there is no grid base file. I saw the grid base on your video. Do you sell the base file as well or no. It wasn't the complete system without the base.

[@achappel]

The boxes have the grids included :) no need to print a seperat base grid ;)