Folding Driver Stand

A parameterized tool holder for holding 2 or more drivers, x-actor knives, pens, etc that folds for storage.

This started as my desire to hold a 4 hex driver set on my desktop.  A friend suggested to allow mounting on a pegboard.  Thus DriverStandv1 was born (https://www.printables.com/model/1385798-driverstand).  But I really wanted to fold the stand to keep the drivers in my tool drawer when not in use.  Thus, DriverStandv2 was born, with print-in-place hinges.

Printing is moderate, I have uploaded 3mf files for BambuStudio (what I used), OrcaSlicer, and PrusaSlicer. The following are the BambuSlicer settings I used:

• Printed in red PLA and red PLA Tough. Any filament should be fine.  
• Start with the default 0.2mm layer height profile
• The model needs supports. I used “Normal(auto) + snug” and I suggest using “Support for PLA” filament for the support interface (makes flicking supports out of the hinges with tweezers a lot easier, but at the cost of multi-filament print time).
• Wall loop set to 3.
• I used solid infill (Sparse infill density set to 100%) with a Rectlinear pattern.  This is only really needed for the hinges if you want to use modifiers, but I used solid infill for the entire print.
• Under Advanced:
  • Top Z distance: 0
  • Interface Pattern: Rectlinear interface
  • Top interface spacing: 0
  • Independent support layer height: unchecked

I uploaded a set of example sizes.  The real intent is for you to customize to the sizes that you want.  If you can edit a spreadsheet you can customize this FreeCAD model.

The primary customizable parameters are:

• NumberOfTubes - minimum is 3 tubes, maximum is number that keeps BaseWidth less than your build plate.
• TubeLength - the length of the tube as measured on the back side of the model.  Because the tube meets the base at an angle, the distance a tool can be inserted in the tube is less than this value.
• TubeWallThickness - the thickness of the tube walls. 1.5mm is a good thickness.
• TubeInsideDia - is the inside diameter of the tube and should be larger than the drivers by a millimenter or two.
• TubeSeparationDistance - is the distance between tube centers.  The minimum should be larger than the diameter of your driver's handle.
• TubeAngle - is the angle, in degrees, between the base and the tubes.  Minimum is >0 degrees and maximum is ≤ 90 degrees.  60 degrees is good for table top usage.
• BaseLength - is the length of the base.  For table usage, the base length counters the weight of the drivers (keeps the driver stand from tipping forward).  A good starting point is about the length of the tubes.  For peg board usage, the minimum is about 50mm.
• BaseThickness - is the thickness of the base.  3mm gives a stiff base (good for heavy drivers) while 2mm gives a flexible base (good enough for lighter drivers).
• BaseRadius - the radius of the corners of the base plate.

The more technical parameters that you probably want to leave alone are:

• HingeOuterGap - each hinge consists of two outer panels connect by a pin, and an inner panel that is a cylinder with a hole in the center.  The outer panel is just slight larger than the inner panel.  This clearance distance between the diameters of the outer panel and the inner panel is the HingeOuterGap.
• HingeOuterDia - how you control the diameter of the hinge.
• PinInnerDia - how you control the diameter of the hinge pin.
• HingeSeparation - the distance between the hinge outer panels and the inner panel.
• HingeOutsideWidth - the thickness of the hinge outer panel.
• BaseClearance - how far the base plate is away from the hinges.  This gives clearance for the tubes when opening or closing the holder.
• MinBaseLength - the minimum base length used for the angled connection between the hinge and the base.
• MinWallHeight - the minimum wall height used for the angled connection between the hinge and the wall.
• StopClearance - the distance between the stops.  Must be large enough for some support filament.

The gray parameters are calculated and you shouldn't change unless you really know what you are doing.  ;-)

First you will need to install FreeCAD available at https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD-Bundle/releases

Next follow the steps below which are demonstrated in this video:

Here are the steps shown in the video:

• Install FreeCAD from https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/latest
• Open FreeCAD
• File | Open DriverStandv2.FCStd
• Right click “params” and select “recompute object”
• Double click “params” to open the spreadsheet

The spreadsheet uses the following colors:

• cyan - labels
• yellow / bold - currently selected config, do not edit
• gray - computed values, do not edit unless you really know what you are doing

To add a new configuration:

• find an existing configuration close to what you want and click on the row number to select the row
• right click on the row then select copy
• right click on the left most cell just below the last configuration row and select paste
• edit the cells in the row for your desired values

Now we can select and export the new configuration:

• select the model in the bottom tabs
• click on the Body object
• click on the Model parameter value and select the new configuration
• on the main menu, do a File | Save All
• click on the Body
• do a File | export, select the export directory and enter the file name then OK

Enjoy!