DIY 3D Printed Magnetic Screwdriver Holder

[@mr_voron]

I’m loving this new format of “this sucks and I’ll prove it, then I’ll offer solutions”. And so far you’re pretty on point.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

thanks! if something already existed, I would have just bought it. buying stuff online is far easier, but sometimes you can't find exactly what you want.

[@mr_voron]

@@RobertCowanDIYCustom solution that fits your exact case is where 3D printing shines. There’s no reason to compromise if you have the capabilities to make it perfect.

[@DominicGiles]

Very elegant.... especially the clips.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Thank you very much!

[@DrLesterTheSmith]

You could make the divots in the rack cutouts so that the tools actually contact the magnetic rail and the metal part of the rail while keeping the spacing provided by the divots. Cool project as always.

[@4474marcin]

That was my first thought also 😅

[@keinschwein8467]

Yeah, there was an obvious solution all along.

[@vukicevic]

Was about to post exactly this :) Also maybe print the teeth out of a firm TPU to give them a bit of squeeze

[@RobertCowanDIY]

True, but the magnetic holding force was just a bit too weak for the biggest screwdrivers. And they slipped when mounted upside down or horizontally.

[@DrLesterTheSmith]

@@RobertCowanDIY figures you would have thought that through. Cool solution.

[@danielbruin]

That's actually a really elegant solution Robert!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Thanks! I'm really liking it.

[@bobweiram6321]

@@RobertCowanDIYThe Chinese companies love it too. They're firing up their injection machines!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

@@bobweiram6321 Meh, I don't care. If this becomes a commercial product, injection molding is actually the better way to make them. I'd buy them. I'm not making stuff to get rich, I'm just making stuff I want that doesn't already exist.

[@markusschicker8539]

Thanks for your great work - not only that you are solving your problem - but sharing the result with others facing the same issues 😃👍🏻

[@NWGR]

Amazing job Robert! What you demonstrated here is one of the main reasons I'm so passionate about 3D printing.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

:-)

[@swissfreek]

Huh! I've never seen the automotive plastic rivet things as a way to attach to pegboard. I really like that!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Right? I've been using these for awhile in pegboards and they're GREAT!

[@chiparooo]

Great design process! I love a tool board too. So nice having everything in sight and at hand. Thanks for sharing!

[@jeremychrzan]

Appreciate the iterative design approach to solve your problem and get to a solution that works for you!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Much appreciated!

[@_B_K_]

Just remove the plastic in the valley of each slot. Let screwdrivers rest against the magnetic surface directly. You'll only have plastic on each side of a screwdrivers, preventing it from moving around, but it would be touching the magnetic surface directly, with no plastic in-between.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I should address this in a follow-up video! I tried doing that and it's just really brittle and doesn't print very well. Also, those ceramic bar magnets are still pretty weak.

[@_B_K_]

@@RobertCowanDIY Gotcha.

[@Roobotics]

@@RobertCowanDIY I don't think printing them on their side with organic tree supports is very ideal if that's also how gapped versions were done, with the open-slot idea that obviously gets even worse with gaps nearly every layer+ tree supports, very fiddly. Printing them on the 'face' with some forgiving geometry would probably work well. I have one of these bar magnets I've never liked either, so likely going to give it a try later with a gapped method. Magnetic viewing film is VERY telling that there is very little field in the parts until they are basically touching the bar, it's not a field across the bars(what I initially thought), it's from the surface of the magnet behind the sticker, to the rail at the edges apparently, so if the shaft isn't touching one or both metal edges, they're just crazy weak as no flux is pushed through the tool to hold.

[@whatsup3d]

This is exactly the solution I've been looking for, thank you.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Glad it helped!

[@MikeHenry362]

This is a really nicely designed project,especially for the purpose. I've been looking for a way to organize my screwdrivers, picks, nut drivers, etc and was finding the same issues you did. So far, this design really seems to fit the bill. Wish I could design this well.

[@joell439]

Robert - this is an absolute game changer - Thank YOU 👍👍😎👍👍

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I think so! I've been rearranging so much and can fit a LOT more on my pegboard.

[@mikedtubey]

Excellent Work as Always!!! Thanks for the printables files

[@Tuxedo2680]

Brilliant design. Kudos and a big Thank you for posting the step files. I took the liberty of posting a remix on Printables: I modified the clip and screwdriver bar so everything will fit properly on the 25mm spaced mounting holes of Multiboard panels.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Nice! I like seeing remixes.

[@Marcus_Caius]

Fantastic solution and I have the same Felo drivers

[@Hermy21]

Great design! I love watching the thought process and design work that goes into it!

[@herr_rossi69]

Before I saw the video I didn't know I needed it. But now I do. Great solution. 👍🏻

[@peterpe5851]

The best feature of this design is its versatility. I am going to try this one out, thanks for the idea!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Glad you like it!

[@henrybecker2842]

Or two or three screwdriver handles with hundreds of tips. Your final solution is brilliant. Thanks for sharing. BTW really enjoyed your Friday Sparkfun Videos.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Aw thanks! That goes WAY back!

[@realpdm]

That turned out really nice. I've had those other ones in my amazon wish list a while but could never commit to them. Your "Hate Intensifies" section was reminding me of the lady trying to drain drain spaghetti from that old infomercial!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Haha! Yeah, these work REALLY well. I'll be showing them off a bit more next week too.

[@atienne_navarre]

Nice design - The Ikea magnetic Knife holders are really strong and cheap if you go for heavier items.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Good to know!

[@JonathanRansom]

Dude! I love those clips!!!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

They work really well!

[@Gefionius]

Looks awesome and thank you for sharing

[@SarahKchannel]

I think you and I would get along very well in a workshop :). I recently had the issue of my smaller electronic tools cluttering on the work surface or in the drawer. So I created a carousel with different layers that spin independently. A home for small files, dental picks, allen keys, small spanners.... all in one place - a spin away.

[@JimRimS4S]

I hate all those ones too. I have the plastic ones and they are garbage. I'm currently working on the same thing. My understanding is that if you introduce some steel in the holder it enhances the magnetic forces.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Yeah, a c-channel could have amplified the force, and stacking them does the same. But I was trying to keep material costs down, as finding a steel c-channel in the right size without needing to machine it was a challenge. The inside of the channel has some radiuses that would prove interesting.

[@MrDksmall]

I like your intro as you complain about screw driver racks, with several racks behind you. 😂

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I hadn't found a better solution, UNTIL NOW!

[@Rob_65]

Forget about honeycomb wall or Ikea Skadis, this is the best way to store tools on a wall - it just needs a fancy name 😁 These are perfect, I love the fact that you can mount screwdrivers upside down or even horizontal if that makes more sense. We just got some peg boards from beta with a 1 cm spacing so with a bit of adaptation these will fit our tool walls perfectly. With flat head, phillips, pozidrive and torx 'll need to buy quite some magnets ...

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I really do like honeycomb and Ikea solutions, BUT they're not meant for people with a LOT of pegboard or tools. I have at least 3 4'x8' sections in each workshop, so they would be several hundred dollars in just the wall panels alone. With standard pegboard, it's maybe $20 for each panel. But yeah, I spent a few bucks on magnets ;-)

[@Rob_65]

@@RobertCowanDIY I have 6 of the largest size Ikea panels and I actually prefer those above the pegboards for their visual look but due to the 40 mm staggered hole pattern these are not as versatile as a pegboard. In our big workshop we have steel pegboards. The boards are nice and the standard wire hooks look good too but all holders for screw drivers, spanners and wrenches all went back to the shop - these just don't work for us...

[@RobertCowanDIY]

@@Rob_65 I've always looked at getting a steel version or something similar, but I haven't found anything I like as much.

[@legionjames1822]

Good design. Good execution. That is a nice little clip assembly. Is that available for download?

[@NoMercyFtw]

Awesome video

[@frickmystr]

Awesome Robert!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Thanks!

[@A2an]

Nice Job 👍

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Thanks! 👍

[@PrimalEdge]

Groovy design

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I see what you did there.

[@Venturello]

GREAT video, thanks! 👏👏

[@RobertCowanDIY]

You bet!

[@filetdelumiere5037]

Brilliant 😎

[@coookietm]

so excited for this! its a huge pain point for me too....sockets next?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I feel like sockets are more of a solved problem. They all have standard mounting. I also don't use sockets very often. But something to think about.

[@aarondcmedia9585]

A very comprehensive solution! Great to see the iteration process and thinking behind your result. Would a slotted aluminium c channel wrapped around the original magnet work similarly?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Potentially. I did gain quite a bit more holding power with the upgraded magnets though.

[@jaeseopark729]

great project!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Thank you!

[@mccanm]

Brilliant

[@bashesselink105]

Very nice solution! Thank you.

[@srmofoable]

I've made a variety of driver holders for my French cleat wall. They all involve a pocket for the handle with a cut out to slight lift and pull the driver out. Not nearly as universal, and they take a little longer to model, but I've been super happy with them. Most of the models are on Maker World, just so a search. Edit, I've even modeled some of these felo drivers

[@wooviee]

Awesome design, I might make a remix designed to work with one of the Linus Tech Tips magnetic cable management solution for mounting. I need some good screw driver storage.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Sure, go for it! The STEP file are included so people can customize them to what they want.

[@theglowcloud2215]

Your pegboard+aluminum extrusion setup is exactly what I want for my 3D printing desk. Are you just using 40x20 extrusion and fiber pegboard with 3D printed channel caps?

[@MrJoerT]

When demonstrating how bad a product is, you're supposed to turn the screen black and white. That's how the pro's do it.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Oh, I know. It just seems so cliche!

[@acuteioa]

Nice solution. Definitely going to make something simular. I just have imprinted in my head that my father deeply hated magnetic screwdriver. Never understood why. I actually like them 😂. Why did you go for multiple rows of small magnets? Are bigger magnets with the same total strength so much more expensive? Or do you alternate their fields to get better grip?

[@hitf5]

It’s a good solution but I feel like it wastes vertical space. I’m looking for something that holds the screwdrivers at an angle so they can be stacked vertically. I’ve done this with a few different sets. Basically a block with holes. But your modular idea gives me ideas about how to tackle the project and I’ll post my solution on printables when ready. Thank you very much for your work!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I'm not sure what you mean? They can be mounted vertically. Check back next week, I managed to fill in the rest of the pegboard using these (and some others) and it's DENSE.

[@MattHardyZ]

You could add a TPU skin for increased friction against the shafts or print the whole thing out of TPU

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I did consider that, but TPU doesn't play well with PLA, so it would need to be PETG, and the features are pretty small, so there would be some retraction/stringing potentially. I just went with easy-mode and used higher powered magnets.

[@ATTESAfr]

Hi! Great design! Can you make it IKEA Skadis compatible ?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I don't have any, but I'm sure someone will come up with a remix. I included STEP files so people can redesign them for other pegboard solutions.

[@Oppilonus]

You could have the valleys cut all the way to the magnet. That way you still get the full magnet strength.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I should address this in a follow-up video! I tried doing that and it's just really brittle and doesn't print very well. Also, those ceramic bar magnets are still pretty weak.

[@newstream2000]

E L E G A N T 👌

[@erezshem9224]

Thanks, I love your channel

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Thanks so much!

[@MrYY-]

My reaction will be useless, especially since the result of your design came out great! But halfway the video, when you mention the screwdrivers won't stay straight, I was thinking why doesn't he just extrude the profiles just a bit longer so that the screwdrivers have a bit more support. Anyway, great job!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Ha! Yeah, it's always an iterative process.

[@ThePrimaFacie]

Thanks

[@RobertCowanDIY]

You're welcome!

[@MatrixRay19]

A big part of the issue with the magnet strip is that you're putting the handles on top, which makes the drivers wanna rotate to the position of least potential(aka COM below point of attachment). This bothered me throught the video, until you had the design finalized and arranged the drivers neatly packed together, in a way that requires half of them to be that way for the most space efficience.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Yep! It's iterative.

[@shivaargula4735]

craftsman has a magnetic screwdriver holder that meets these criteria, minus the pegboard mounting system.

[@bobweiram6321]

There's a reason why Apple is one of the largest companies in the world. They put a lot of thought into their products.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Yeah, thoughts about how to prevent users from servicing them and making every aspect of the design proprietary. It works for them, but I hate it.

[@bobweiram6321]

@@RobertCowanDIY Their products are loved by their users who do amazing things with them. Why shouldn't they protect their efforts from competitors, like Google and Microsoft, who just wants to capitalize on their work in order to save on R&D. Good things cost money. Their anti-repair measures are just stupid though. While stopping consumers from repairing their devices, they completely allowed Google to infiltrate the education market, and left heaps of money on the table by not targeting enterprise customers.

[@These_Old_Engines]

Are we all just going to ignore the fact that all of the those drivers have a hole in the handle for hanging them?

[@These_Old_Engines]

I do like the design though!

[@RobertCowanDIY]

SHHHHH! Not ALL of them do. I never showed my other workshop, but those screwdrivers don't have mounting holes at the top. I did consider that, but the holes are different sizes, etc, etc.

[@Neslekkim]

@@RobertCowanDIY just a few of mine have hole, and when I use that, they take the hanger with them when I take one screwdriver off.. Magnets ordered, going to print.

[@ericrandall3539]

I just use magnet bars but hang the screwdrivers upside down. Stupid simple

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Yeah that could work if you aren't worried about consistent spacing.

[@rarbiart]

Why not break the v grooves so that the drivershafts rest on the original magnet rails?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

That's certainly possible, but then the print is a TON of retractions which makes it 1) much more brittle and 2) a bit trickier to print. There's less than 1mm between the magnet surface and the bottom of the groove.

[@troelsnielsen2848]

I thought i softer filament would grip better if used between magnets and tool.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

I did think about that, but printing with TPU is always a BIT of a pain. I decided to just stick with PLA since the clip mechanism couldn't be TPU (not rigid enough) and PLA and TPU don't play well together, so then it would need to be PETG, etc, etc.

[@koopdi]

How do you remove the clips?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Just press the tabs and the rail should slide off.

[@AZ3D_printing]

More combat robot vids pls

[@RobertCowanDIY]

In time.

[@buhizkewl7105]

I think you might have overshot the easier solution when you didn’t have the first design just guide the drivers to touching the cheap magnetic bar with no plastic in between (more like teeth instead of grooves). ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Still like the over-engineered solution ;)

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Yeah, that COULD work, but for the larger screwdrivers, the magnet barely held. This is much stronger and can work horizontally too.

[@nbrockerson]

Agree, the printed channel could go around the back of the magnet bar with serrations on the end of the "legs" that poke out past the front face

[@krollmond7544]

Wonder if a ferromagnetic filament would be slightly better? Never tried them myself.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

OH, that's a great idea. I haven't tried it yet, but that's something to put on the list.

[@krollmond7544]

@RobertCowanDIY yeah I first heard of it when some other creator's attempted to 3D print a motor, not sure if it's something you'd try haha.

[@HSkraekelig]

I want some, but I don't own a 3D printer. I don't think I want them $700 worth. Does anyone do custom prints for a reasonable price?

[@RobertCowanDIY]

This is the excuse you've been waiting for to get a 3d printer.

[@riba2233]

You can get a really decent one for around 350, a no brainer. Custom prints will add up over time

[@Nbomber]

this seems like a total non issue. the big one held the screwdrivers perfectly adequately for on a wall.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

Except for they would always lean over and get cluttered. Also, I couldn't mount them upside down. The new solution almost doubles the amount of tools I can fit.

[@Nbomber]

the upside down ones won me over though.

[@AZ3D_printing]

First

[@1QKGLH]

The way you demonstrate the other screwdriver holders makes me think you are the person they use to film informercials. The holders appear to work really well, until you flip them around and hold them in every position EXCEPT what they are designed to operate in. You put a screwdriver in the holder, it falls right into place, perfectly. Then you try to try to shove it off from behind, and it stays on lol. You're such a hack. Now take your bulky holder, load it with screwdrivers and flip it around and see how well it works. I applaud you for designing your own bulky device, but this is a ridiculous video.

[@RobertCowanDIY]

this is a ridiculous comment ;-) they work well.

[@1QKGLH]

@@RobertCowanDIY "they" as in the other holders? Yes, we all know they work great, you showed us. is that why the thumbnail says "JUST AWFUL"? Oh, that's the clickbait that hack youtubers use to get views. Your bulky holder has limitations that the others don't.

[@JonathanRansom]

I think you need a hug. 🫂

[@1QKGLH]

@@JonathanRansom I mean, are you offering? I kinda do.

[@JonathanRansom]

Bring it in!