Gridfinity is an open-source modular storage system built around a simple idea: a standardised grid of baseplates and stackable bins, with every component sized in multiples of 42mm (width and depth). That shared standard bins, baseplates, and accessories from completely different designers that all fit together, letting you build a fully customisable, endlessly reconfigurable storage system for your workshop, desk, or toolbox.
It was created in 2022 by 3D prototyper Zack Freedman, who designed it to store screws, tools, and small parts in his own workshop in an easily findable way. Freedman released the designs for free, licensing all of his Gridfinity files under the permissive MIT licence so that anyone could use, modify, and build on them without restriction.
Since then, Gridfinity has taken on a life of its own. A broad community of 3D modelling and printing hobbyists has adopted the standard, producing a huge library of components as well as parametric generators that create custom bins and baseplates to fit any specification.
My belief is that, unless you have multiples of every single item you are planning on storing with Gridfinity, it is impossible to be nearly as space efficient as designing your own Gridfinity accessories. This is because unless someone else has already designed an accessory for your exact part, there will almost always be wasted space.
This is why I decided to design all of my own accessories for every item in my desk drawers. Now, every item has its own place, both in my drawers and my mind. When a draw is opened I know exactly where each item is and if anything is missing at just a glance. It is also extremely space efficient as by doing it custom I ensured that every nook and cranny has been utilised.
As this project started as a community project, I decided to share this with the community. To do this I posted it on Printables, Makerworld and Thingiverse where it has amassed over 15,845 downloads. This is an amazing personal achievement, not only am I helping out thousands of other people just like me but I have also proven to myself what I am capable of. This goes for my Gridfinity adaptations as well as all my other designs I have shared with the community over the years,
On top of this, I have uploaded pre-configured print profiles for these parts meaning that others can simply click ‘print’ and their printer would start printing it. These print profiles have been rated by users anywhere from 4.8 to 5 stars!
I am able to receive comments on these community posts. This has allowed for direct feedback to be left by individuals. These comments have shown me exactly what I am doing right and exactly where I need to work on which is very powerful tool to have. It has also taught me that not everyone is your ‘average user’ and that anyone can interpret a design in their own individual way which has pushed me to keep this in the forefront of my mind whilst designing and stresses the importance of what I can do to keep designs accessible for all.