KitBox Modular Tool Case Platform

KitBox is my attempt at creating a free and open platform for customizable tool cases.

Core Features / Project Goals

• Sturdy outer Shell
• Modular Inserts for customizable storage
• Integrated handle
• Cam-locking buckle closure for smooth and secure buckle operation
• Printable by the vast majority of 3D printers at 100% scale (200x200x60 mm)
• Nonrestrictive license
• Included Insert Development Kit (IDK) to encourage growth of an ecosystem of compatible Insert Modules
• 100% printable, BOM-free and therefore…
• Scalable to larger sizes. 
  Note: Non-scalable Insert Modules like those intended to fit non-printable objects (eg holders for specific tools) should designate compatibility with the scale and version(s) of the Shell parts. For example if you decided to create and share a set of inserts to hold your socket set, and you wanted to scale the shell up 150% to 300x300x90mm for this set of inserts, and you started with the v1.0 200x200x60 Insert Development Kit, you would indicate that the insert is compatible with KitBox v1.0 200x200x60 at 150%.

Printing and Assembly

Use of ABS/ASA will produce a noticeably better Shell and is advised for the buckle and hinge parts. It might be more difficult to back the hinge screws out with PLA or PETG. A screwdriver tool is included. The Handle can be glued into place on its Shell by placing hot glue or CA glue on the ends of the glue joint pins on the Shell part.

The buckles are the most difficult part to assemble, and the Buckle part may break during assembly with the Buckle Hinge part. It can also be difficult to get the Buckle Hinge's pins into the Shell Lower Half's retaining tab's holes. Some flexibility in the buckle parts is very helpful during installation. PLA will likely break, ABS works best. You may want to print extra buckle parts and try both pre-supported and slicer-supported. Tree supports may produce a cleaner Buckle part.

All parts requiring supports include them by default - those models should be printed without supports. There are also “No Supports” versions included, in case you want to use your slicer's supports. Make sure to use flush-cutters to remove the built-in supports, especially the supports that hold up the Buckle Hinge retainer tabs on the front of the Shell Lower Half. Attempting to remove the support by hand may damage the retainer tab.

Planned development:

• Possible improvements to ease Buckle assembly
• Creation of more form factors of KitBox Shell
• Creation of more Insert Modules
• Creation of wall mounts for quick storage and retrieval of KitBoxes

This is the first public release of KitBox and is intended as a preview / beta release. Future releases may break module compatibility but I will maintain download folders for all versions. Changes that break Insert Module compatibility will result in an incremented major version number eg 2.0.