DOVESTACK — The One-Joint Modular Drawer System

Every face is a socket. Everything is an attachment.

Most modular storage systems use one joint for stacking, another for wall mounting, and another for accessories. DOVESTACK uses exactly one connection system: a dovetail track on the top, bottom, left, and right of every module, arranged on a 40 mm grid.

Anything with the matching male profile can join the system. That means you can print new attachments years from now and they will still fit — or design your own.

What you can build

• Stack modules vertically — a wide module sits perfectly across two narrow ones.

• Connect modules side by side — up, down, left, or right. The track layout is mirror-symmetric on every face, and the connector key is fully symmetric, so every direction connects the same way.

• Wall-mount with the dock — screw it directly to the wall, or slide hook blades into the rear tracks and hang it on 5 × 15 mm slot boards with a 40 mm grid, IKEA-style, or on classic 1/4" pegboard. The hook positions slide freely, so one dock fits both standards.

• Click modules securely into the wall dock — a printed spring finger locks them in place, so opening a drawer cannot pull the module off the wall.

• Hang modules under a desk using the desk mount. The modules click onto the rails upside down.

• Customize the drawers with drop-in dividers on a 20 mm grid, slide-in label frames, and optional Ø6 × 2 mm magnets for a soft magnetic close.

• Add feet by sliding them into the bottom tracks. They lift the stack by 3 mm.

The connector key

The connector is a fully symmetric spline that runs through the full joint length of 119 mm.

Slide it in from either face — it sits flush, 0.5 mm inside the surface, and becomes completely invisible. To remove it, push it through from the other side with a spare key or a pencil.

Use one key per facing track pair.

Sizes and capacity

A 2-wide × 3-high desk tower holds around 1.5 L of organized storage on a compact 160 × 120 mm footprint.

Every file name includes its dimensions, so you always know exactly what you are printing.

Printing

No supports. No special orientation. No tricks.

All 16 parts print without support material in the orientation provided in the STL files. The models are already pre-oriented on the print bed.

Every overhang is at least 45°, horizontal pockets are teardropped, and the widest bridge anywhere is under 12 mm. The design was built in a geometry kernel that machine-checks a zero-support-area gate on every part, every clearance, every contact, and every retention claim. An independent facet-normal audit cross-checks all 16 STLs.

Recommended settings:

• PLA or PETG

• 0.4 mm nozzle

• 0.2 mm layer height

• 3 perimeters

• 15% infill

• No supports

• No brim needed

• Around 0.15 mm elephant-foot compensation helps the dovetail first layers

The largest part has a 160 × 50 mm footprint and is 120 mm tall, so it fits on any common FDM printer.

Tolerances

• Dovetail clearance: 0.20 mm per flank

• Drawer clearance: 0.35 mm per side

Printer running tight? Scale the keys to 99%. Do not scale the shells.

Start here

Print the fit-check kit first:

• 1×1 shell

• 1×1 drawer

• 2 connector keys

• 2 foot rails

Approximate material use: 230 g.

Optional hardware

All hardware is optional:

• Ø6 × 2 mm magnets for soft-close drawers

• #8 or M4 countersunk screws for the wall dock and desk mount

Expand the system

Anything with the matching male profile can join DOVESTACK:

• Tool holders on the module sides

• Carry handles in the top sockets

• Custom bin fronts

• Angled stands

• Wall accessories

• Desk organizers

• Future add-ons

Male profile reference:

• 5.6 mm waist

• 8.42 mm root

• 2.35 mm height

• 0.6:1 flanks

• 40 mm track grid

The full printable manual PDF is included in the files.

Designed for the Designer Challenge: Modular Drawer System.

Print settings

• Printer: Any FDM printer

• Tested envelope: Prusa MK4S

• Rafts: No

• Supports: No

• Resolution: 0.2 mm

• Infill: 15%

• Filament: PLA or PETG