BUILDR

Intro

Motivation

While creating some modules for SOLDR (I am not affiliated with them in any way), I noticed that another area on my desk could benefit of some form of organization: my development/debug area i.e. my 'build' area.

I then searched the usual sites and  found many breadboard-organizers like this one but most of them still were not modular enough for me. Either lacking modules for parts I'd like to use and/or being limited to e.g. only one raspberry pi due to the fixed mount for it.

"Why not use Gridfinity?" 

Gridfinity is a great system - for storage. Most of the gridfinity modules are highly specialized (for the part) and the way a part is stored in a typical gridfinity module is not necessarily for active development or integration testing.

That's why I decided to create BUILDR with these goals in my mind:

• Modular, thus longer lifespan and more flexibility.

• Magnetic modules compatible to SOLDR

• Customizable Color Schemes (and maybe sizes, see notes below in the section "Future") 

• Free Placement of parts ( (desk-)space might be limited but our ideas are not!)

• Repair & Reuse (no print-in-place hinge, non-printed parts should be reusable, no glue)

• Universal modules with jigs if possible

• Special modules if needed (or e.g. a part has mounting holes)

• Rigid, stable design, no experiments.

• as little as possible non-printable parts

• last but not least: designed for 3D printing.

Meet 'BUILDR'

While some modules need improvements and many are still missing, I am very happy with what came out of this little side project:

• The SOLDR compatible grid allows free placement of different parts on the workspace.

• The project with all its parts and models can be accessed in onshape for easy remixing:

  

  • The front plate with the grid extrusions. I printed mine with clear filament, but like Chef John says: "You do you". :)

  • Next is the "frame" holding the magnetic, metal plates. If you can source other-sized plates with a thickness of less than 1.2mm, only this part needs a remix. If you take thicker ones, the backplate and shell might need adjustments as well.

  • Both the front plate and the frame sit in the backplate

  • The shell then covers the backplate and secured with screws it holds the whole sandwich together.

  • The kickstand can be attached at last or at first. 

• The grid is compatible with SOLDR

• Only a few external parts needed

• A rail module with multi-purpose clamps in two sized and a few special modules are available. See section "Available Modules" for details.

Parts needed

Main Body

•   8x M2x4mm self tapping screws, e.g. from this set:

  • https://amzn.eu/d/08LPP4i9

• 14x Magnetic metal plates 25.4mm x 70mm x (0.5mm - 1.2mm) like these:

  • https://amzn.eu/d/0c0L4Hmw

    • Note: If you choose to other ones: not all metal is magnetic

• PLA and or PETG (TPU for some jigs makes total sense, but I haven't tested that yet)

Modules

• Magnets, circular, 6mm x 2mm (one pack, 100x Magnets) , like e.g.:

  • https://amzn.eu/d/0hPmY0E1

• Raspberry Pi 3/4/5:

  • 4x M2.5x5x3.5 Heat-Inserts (taken out of this set: https://amzn.eu/d/0eF3uubp)

  • 4x M2.5 x 6 screws (I took some out of this set: https://amzn.eu/d/0b12NBAf)

• Raspberry Pi Zero 1/2:

  • 4x M2.5x5x3.5 Heat-Inserts 

  • 4x M2.5 x 6 screws

Print Settings

General

• 3 Perimeters

• Solid infill threshold area: 50mm²

Model specific

• "Shell": printed with 4mm inside brim b/c of the filet and small contact space

  

• "Frontplate": print as is

• "Frame": print as is

• "Kickstand": needs support under the hinge-pegs, (smart-fill will paint the whole model in prusa slicer, but it works as intended though)

  

• "Backplate": can be printed in multicolor or in a single color with the letters and icon as simple intrusions. The kickstand area should be printed with supports otherwise bad bridges could interfere with the hinge mechanism. (I have received reports of users printing this successfully without support.)

• Modules: print in PLA or PETG, the EC11 jig and breadboard modules need supports:

  

• The jig-clamps for the rail-module should be printed in at least PETG (haven't tested TPU yet). I use two per rail-module for e.g. ESP32-S2 Minis or ESP32 D1 Minis

  

Available Modules

• Regular sized Breadboards

• Small Breadboard 

• Raspberry Pi 3/4/5

• Raspberry Pi Zero 1/2

• Rail-Module, 1 and 2 cells wide

  • Universal Clamp 26mm wide

  • Universal Clamp 32mm wide

  • EC11 Rotary Encoder jig

• Generic shelf, 2 cells wide

• Generic shelf, 3 cells wide

Assembly

Additional Tools needed

• Cutting Knife

Instructions

1. Insert the metal plates (or tiles)

   1. Take a plate and remove the protective film, then put it with the adhesive strip facing upwards in front of you on a cutting-mat or similar.

   2. Using little pressure make a vertical cut to free up only a part of the adhesive protection like shown in the picture below. This should be enough to hold them in place and get them out without using too much force and risk bending or breaking something.

   3. Place the plate in a free slot of the frame, apply some pressure to ensure contact with the adhesive.

      

2. Get the backplate, Kickstand-Side (with the logo) facing down

3. Put the frame in the backplate

4. Put the frontplate on top of the frame into the backplate

5. Take the shell and carefully put it over the stack you've got in front of you

6. Screw in the screws, 2 for each side

7. Attach the Kickstand. Easiest way is to lay it flat over it's intended position and put the pegs in the hinge slots one by one

The Future

Immediate

• I hope this project resonates with some of you seeking order and more flexible space on their workbench or desk. Feedback is welcome and if you need a part remixed or adjusted, please leave a comment and I'll see what I can do. The onshape link to the project should help you get started if you need to adjust or remix anything right away.

• Designing a better clamp (and using TPU for it) is on my list. The current version works with PETG but it just feels wrong with TPU available. :)

Near

• There are still many parts that need a different sized clamp or special module like simple DC-Motors, Servos and sensors. I will add those depending on your comments, my needs and of course my spare time.

• An early version of the kickstand had magnet slots to hold it place when closed. This works in general but not with the otherwise used 6mm by 2mm magnets. This is the only major change planned for the core design. 

Distant

• A friend of mine already suggested a bigger version and I have some ideas about an "attachable" mini-version. There are some aspects regarding size, weight and the hinge design of the kickstand as well as the size of my printbed which need considerations.  

• Some sort of lightweight cabinet or shelf storage system that allows for easy and safe storage of assembled projects. Very useful if you have children or curious pets and need to store your project in between sessions.

• As you can see in my pictures, cable management is still an issue. I'm thinking of half-cell sized modules (similar to the SOLDR ones) that can be used to route the cables in between the modules. This might be also needed in order to ensure a maximum (project) height for a storage slot.

• A Kickstand with an adjustable angle would be awesome.

Credits

• The font used in the logo, "Orbitron" was designed by Matt McInerney.

Shoutouts

• To the SOLDR Team, for creating an amazing kickstarter project that inspired this project.

Revision History

• 2026-02-17: Initial Release

• 2026-02-20: Fixed typos and the URL of the screw-set. Thanks Marc!

• 2026-02-28: Added new frames for metal plates to the BETA directory. They still need testing,  I'm waiting for the parts.

  • 75mm x 28mm (https://amzn.eu/d/0ecf0a0N)

  • 60mm x 30mm (https://amzn.eu/d/0j6c6hJr)