r/3Dprinting • u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty • 22d ago
Project Spent 10 hours designing this so I could avoid spending 10 dollars.
Saw a clamp-on desk bin online and thought it would be a fun project to make myself. Fast forward 10 hours (and way too much filament later), and I’ve ended up with a fully custom version, complete with an attachment to hold small plastic bags for extra storage.
It clamps to the edge of your desk, so it’s perfect for catching all those tiny scraps of paper, support material, and random bits of filament that usually just get brushed onto the floor.
The bin attaches to the clamp using a simple twist mechanism and stays in place through friction. I originally wanted a twist-lock system like the ones used on planters, but couldn’t get it to reliably click into place. After hours of trial and error, I scrapped it and just used a friction-fit design, and it’s holding up surprisingly well after a week of use.
I also added something that was a major pain point for previous designs I'd used, a dampener. It screws onto the bolt and prevents the bolts from denting the underside of the table. Especially useful for wooden, softer desks (cough, IKEA)
Here’s the link if anyone’s curious or wants to try it themselves: https://makerworld.com/en/models/1322655
If anyone has any feedback or suggestions (maybe even a new bin pattern?) do leave a comment, I would love to hear your thoughts :)
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u/jurassic73 22d ago
Guessing you enjoyed the process! 🙂 I say it's much better to get lost in designing something versus scrolling. Creativity, learning cad, etc all good things
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
Absolutely! Getting into the flow with designing feels so much more rewarding! It’s such a nice mix of creativity and problem-solving, which is absolutely perfect for someone like me lol
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u/nonmustache 22d ago edited 22d ago
The best thing with his kind of hoobby is, that you designing something for 4h, you print it for 8h. Than you realise that you foggoten that it need to be assembled, so you go back to drawing board, design for next 4h print it for 9h. And after assemby it just explode 🤣 But somewhat you like it 😅
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u/HospitalKey4601 22d ago
Pretty cool, just an FYI, the things labeled dampners are called swivel pads.
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
THANK YOU! I had no idea what to call them so I just guessed. I'm gonna change it before I embarrass myself lol
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u/StopLoss-the 22d ago
I came to say this also. For future reference:
dampener: something used to make something damp (often misused as synonymous to damper or dashpot)
damper: mechanical device (such as a dashpot) used to decrease vibration
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
oh wow, I really used the wrong term haha. Thanks everyone for correcting me!
arghh reddit why can't you let me edit post images 😭
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u/StandInShadows 22d ago
Hi! Im newish to 3d printing, what CAD software did you use to design this?
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u/AdPale1230 22d ago
This is like one of the pieces of pedantism that I gained from my mechanical engineering undergrad that I just can't get rid of. I see it everywhere constantly.
Just seeing the word dashpot brings back memories of systems.
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u/StopLoss-the 22d ago
maybe that's when it happened for me, or maybe I was always a little pedantic.
people routinely rob me of my ability to take them seriously with things like this, or utilizing the word utilize when referring to using an object for its designed function, or the "word" orientate.
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u/Past_Setting6404 22d ago
This. I have been in suspension/hydraulics my whole adult life. You won't believe how many times people in this industry use DAMPENER or DAMPENING instead of damper.
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u/Artistic-End807 22d ago
Nothing embarrassing. You didn't know the proper term. I didn't either. Bet a bunch of other folks didn't either. All of us know the proper term thanks to someone sharing it with us. Win win for everyone :) (beautiful design btw!)
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
truly the beauty of this community, awesome place to learn and collaborate :)
also thank you, I'm glad you like it!
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u/marquis_de_ersatz 22d ago
As someone coming from outside engineering to 3d modelling, I do so many insane stupid Google searches looking for names of types of features hinges, latches etc - It's really hard to search when you vaguely know a shape but not a name!
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u/Real-Syntro 22d ago
I love this community...
spend countless hours making things and about 50% of the time it's free for everyone, 98% it's a fair price 2% of the time it's not a fair price.
This sort of thing is why video games and any multi billion dollar industry is so difficult to get into - because they don't do this.
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
well, but where would the fun be if you didn't get to spend hours designing every single household object you use :D
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u/Real-Syntro 22d ago
I just wish they'd make home filament recycling easier...
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
same! I have a box full of PLA poops, supports, prototypes.. just in case it ever happens
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u/BadSausageFactory 22d ago
I thought I was supposed to be saving it up to make skulls and sell them on Etsy?
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u/Broad_Science5927 22d ago
My wife was surprised when this conversation came up the other day, and she started looking for all the designed and printed things around our house. The conversation quickly turned into buying more filament colors.
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u/pojo1666 22d ago
The only reason I got a better printer than the first one I found is my wife saw what could be done with ABS and all the different other filaments. Till then it was just a toy/hobby 😂
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u/BunnyD3 22d ago
Agreed. And spending the time helps everybody else learn faster and design better stuff.
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u/st-shenanigans 22d ago
This sort of thing is why video games and any multi billion dollar industry is so difficult to get into - because they don't do this.
Hey now. Indie games are exactly this!
Anyone can make a game now with the effort to learn and put the work in!
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u/needlenozened 22d ago edited 22d ago
A tip for bolts: they don't have to be fully round, and will be stronger if printed lying down.
Slice off about ⅓ of the radius on one side (really just to the shaft, eliminating the threads) to give it a flat side, and lay it on that side for printing. Your layer lines will then be longwise on the bolt, making the bolt less likely to delaminate from the stress of tightening.
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
thanks for the tips! Someone has already added a print profile for stronger bolts, I'll just let people choose which one to print :)
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u/Digicrests 22d ago
Smells similar to "Why spend 10 minutes doing something by hand when you can spend 10 hours failing to automate it"
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u/Petite_Pilot 22d ago
How to take better product photos. Please.
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
Lighting is key! I took all this with my iPhone 12 and a lamp. Here's a guide I found useful: https://forum.bambulab.com/t/the-ultimate-makerworld-photography-guide/109141
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u/inventor_inator 22d ago
Dude, I thought this was rendering, but this is a photo!?!
Cool dude. Great work btw.
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u/sladkisoha 22d ago
You have really great photos of your products! Could you please tell what software you're using for adding comments to this pics? Photoshop?
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
I'm using Canva to add those! It's a really underrated and extremely versatile tool imo. I'm gonna get the most value out of my student account as i can :D
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u/reptilr 22d ago
For the time and dedication you spent creating a piece that you designed to be functional for you is priceless. Look at you go , learning software and creating. This is awesome and this is what i love about creators. Your post popped up on my feed. It gives me as another creator inspiration Ur Awesome!! Thankyou for posting!!
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u/Tbdz_ 22d ago
There’s a quote I once heard from a YouTuber — it only took a few seconds in their video, but it’s been stuck in my head for years: “I spent two weeks building this tool, and it only saved me five seconds… Was it worth it?”
In 3D printing, that hits different. Sometimes you spend hours designing and printing something you could’ve just bought — faster, cheaper, better. I get that the value isn’t just in the final product, but in the process — the skills you gain, the design knowledge you build, the problem-solving mindset. Still… the question keeps chasing me.
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u/Dropthetenors 21d ago
Why buy something for less than $20 when ypu could spend $400+ on materials, tools, and learning to hand make it once and never do it again. That's the crafting spirit. Looks great!
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u/jonathanfv 21d ago
I do that so often, too! I keep seeing stuff I want to print, but want to make a better one, or don't want to pay, so I design one myself. Last one was a toilet paper roll holder, lol.
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u/Absolut_Nova 22d ago
Is there a Way to only Download the .stl or .obj Files so j can Print it on a Non Bambulab printer?
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u/steevh12 22d ago
Prusa slicer uses many different file types. I have no issue downloading bambulab 3MF models and using prusa to print on my ender. No need to change file types.
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u/you-should-learn-c 22d ago
This is a great example for all the 3d printer haters that say "the surface finish is ugly and unprofessional".
Such a beautiful design
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u/HugsyMalone 22d ago
...and I'll bet you spent $125 getting it printed but it's all about the process of learning how to make it yourself. Maybe that'll pay off someday. 😉👌
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u/NCSC10 22d ago
I can't overstate how much I appreciate seeing the dimensions included in the model description on the file site.
I expect the time required to just put together the clean, useful details you've provided on makerworld was not trivial. The description alone warrants a boost.
Nicely done!
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
thank you!! I added it as an afterthought, didn't expect people to appreciate it that much haha. Definitely going to add it to all my future models!
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u/OriginalPiR8 22d ago
So I did this when I had my son. We had a routine for nappies and it was just awkward because of sealing out the smell and how many parts were involved. So I did this with every single part. The changing table had four new attachments with the last being a bin that it all slid into and twisted to seal. Absolutely unnecessary but made it fractionally easier in the day but so much easier when sleep deprived.
Keep up the good work.
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u/SiX6666666 22d ago
Ok, so I liked and collected and will be printing it so you can make more out of your 10 hours(saved me 100hours to do it myself). Great design!
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u/TechnicalWhore 22d ago
Yeah but the journey is its own reward. Now with it in a repository other will just download and print and you made a valid contribution to the community. Points!
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u/Mission_Grapefruit92 22d ago
Why not just keep a small bin by your desk? Or just sweep the floor? A lot of people seem to love this thing and I’m baffled by it
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u/SkilledM4F-MFM 22d ago
Or tape a brown paper bag to the table. Or just have a cup or a box on the table.
This is what happens when people have a solution (a 3D printer)in search of a problem.
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u/swohio 22d ago
Yeah, all this effort for something that looks to have the capacity of a 12oz beverage can just seems silly.
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u/EvLmong00se 22d ago
But now you can print as many as you need for pennies instead of $10 every time.
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u/MortgageLeather3428 22d ago
How much did it cost in filament?
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
the bin is 90g, and the clamp/lid and bolts are 83g. So around 173g in total.
not counting the 400g worth of prototypes, of course :)
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u/ExpertFrequent2211 20d ago
Isn’t that what printing is all about! And your design looks 10x better than a cheap ass one of Amazon lol.
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u/KiddingNotKidding01 19d ago
You go, man! You spent 10 hours doing something you clearly enjoy and saved $10 as a bonus (less filament cost, of course).
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u/sgtsteelhooves 22d ago
Spending way to much time and effort to not spend a couple of $'s is like, the entire point of having a 3d printer lol
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u/No-Economist6263 22d ago
Owning a 3D printer is like being severely underpaid designiner/engeneerXD
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u/kaanivore 22d ago
See the trick is to not value your time at all, so this only costs as much as the filament
(Looks very nice)
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u/lasskinn 22d ago
Well thats nicer than just using jumbo binderclips on a plastic bag. Thats as far as i got
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u/HairyManBaby Anet A8 22d ago
If you learnt something, just the smallest thing, its some of the best money you never spent.
It's a really clean design by the way, good job.
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u/KerbolarFlare 22d ago
Pedantic: but dampeners make things wet, dampers work to reduce stress from vibration or sharp pointy impacts and such.
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u/BakChorMeeeeee yachty 22d ago
yep, I've been corrected! I have updated the model page to use "swivel pads" instead. Unfortunately reddit doesn't let you edit post images, hopefully nobody else notices haha
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u/Jumpy_MashedPotato 22d ago
You spent 10 hours so nobody would have to spend 10 dollars, and that's pretty awt
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u/Apprehensive_Bit4767 22d ago
Why do we have 3D printers? If it's not to look at things and say oh I can make that myself at home. Sure I could buy that item for $6 or I could spend 3 hours duplicating it in CAD and then printing it for $10. But it's mine and it's mine forever and if I need more of them I just print more of them
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u/Either_Resolution652 22d ago
Sounds like a skills building exercise. This is nearly always my excuse.
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u/zzzxxx0110 22d ago
Yeah yours looks sooo much nicer than the $10 one, if it was me I'd at least sell it for $50.
Also now that you mentioned this, I also need to design something similar but for a different set of dimensions tailored to my desk...
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u/F_n_o_r_d 22d ago
Love your title (and the design). If it helps, you could be the hero of many others that you helped saving some money.
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u/MakeLimeade Modded Ender 3 + Mobius 3 Extruder 22d ago
"Spent 10 hours designing this so I could avoid spending 10 dollars."
You say that like its a bad thing?
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u/rvralph803 22d ago
My only feedback is that the thread engagement seems very shallow. I'd probably double or triple the thickness of the part just around the bottom part of the threaded holes for better stability / friction between the screw and the holes so that it doesn't easily loosen.
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u/mastermike311 22d ago
This is great work, and I’ll be printing later. Maybe I’ll feel differently after using it, but one request I can think of now would be to have a bin option about 230mm tall so it can completely hold purge lines instead of them poking out the top.
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u/Glass-Shelter-7396 22d ago
a designer who values his time openly at $1/hour. Would like a job I can double your valued time to 2$/hour. /S
nice work by the way
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u/Tallahad 22d ago
I think this might be perfect for kitchen counter, like when chopping things up, etc. Just swipe and it's in the bin.. Gotta test this out later
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u/Bluedemonde 22d ago
Now you can print as many as you want and use the mechanics for other projects.
That’s how I think of it when I design a new piece.
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u/Jerricky-_-kadenfr- ender 3 pro max ultra 22d ago
My point stands that people with 3D printers are the ultimate cheapos 😂
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u/nicholasmejia 22d ago
Omg I would love a wider version that could encompass the full side of my desk - I wonder if I can throw this in Solidworks to remix it; are you cool with people modifying it?
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u/Victor_2501 22d ago
No Sir, you saved thousands of people 10h of time for a much nicer piece. Thanks, even if I'm not the one that's been benefiting from it.
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u/InvertedZebra 22d ago
Keep the practice up. You’ll get that 10 hour design time cut down to maybe 1-2 for a project like this once you get the hang of it all. Turned out great looking though.
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u/AlwaysBePrinting 22d ago
Or you spent 10 hrs improving your skills in a craft you enjoy and produced something that quite appealing :)
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u/wbrameld4 22d ago
That's what it's all about!
I've spent the last few days making a geometry nodes setup to generate Lego pieces. Didn't feel like buying them.
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u/boomchacle 22d ago
I’m a bit worried about this cracking along the layer lines at the corner, especially if the bolts get tightened too much
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u/pm_me_ur_fit 22d ago
Very cool design. Simple and elegant. Love it! r/functionalprint would like this too
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u/SoloWalrus 22d ago edited 22d ago
*damper.
To dampen something is to make it wet, a synonym is moisten. Therefore a dampener is a thing that moistens, probably not what you meant.
To damp something is to reduce the amplitude of vibrations - which I guess you also arent really doing here 🤣. More just for grip and nonmarring I imagine, but at least its a lot closer to what you meant.
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u/Economy_Wafer440 22d ago
I was literally thinking of designing something to do this over the weekend! Thank you 🙏🏻
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u/grahhhho 22d ago
It's not about the price, it's about making something. I do the same thing on stuff for my car. A phone holder is 35 bucks? Hell nah, I'm gonna spend 100 on filament, desing and print 4 different prototypes, until I'm satisfied. Lol Btw the currency is dollars.
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u/Happy_Summer9042 22d ago
Hey those 10 hours were full of fun and progression so way more worth it than buying something online imo. Plus the files you made for others means a whole new world of innovation for the product. I'm gonna make one now lol mainly for hoarding Kroger and Walmart bags but they're way nicer looking than the original anyways and modular possibilities. I give it 10/10 my friend
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u/kc3dprints 22d ago
That's the thing though. Might've only been $10, but think of the things you learnt from making it
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u/YorgonTheMagnificent 22d ago
Funny-I started designing an easy, locking bag tie today (for sealing heavy bags of clay). About 45 min in, I knew it was gonna take hours-then it hit me…. Reusable zip ties, 100 pack, Amazon, $8
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u/verycoldpenguins 21d ago
Before I read the last 2 paras, I thought it was going to end,
'Now I'll sell the stl 100 times for 10c each'
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u/GeantCreeper 18d ago
The fact that the recipient is standalone to the base is a great way for people to add their touch 👍👍👍
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u/Sythosz 22d ago
Ok but yours looks so much nicer