POOLDOCK: Snap-On Accessory Docks for Frame-Pool Rail

Your pool rail is prime real estate. Put it to work.

POOLDOCK is a modular accessory system that snaps directly onto the horizontal top rail of a frame pool.

It is designed for round Intex, Bestway, and similar frame-pool rails. Dock sizes for Ø25.4 mm, Ø32 mm, and Ø38 mm tubes are included.

Once installed, each dock can accept any POOLDOCK attachment:

• Towel hook

• Cup holder

• Skimmer-pole ring

• Pool-hose guide

• Any compatible attachment you design yourself

No tools, screws, bolts, or permanent modifications are required.

Snap it onto the rail

The dock uses a downward-facing C-shaped clamp that snaps over the pool rail.

Because the clamp opening faces downward, anything hanging from the dock pushes the rail deeper into the closed upper section of the clamp. The load path therefore works with the clamp rather than trying to pull it open.

The two snap lips use 8° wedge ramps. Press the dock downward, the lips flex around the tube, and the dock clicks into place.

Drop in any attachment

The outboard face of every dock contains a vertical dovetail track.

Attachments slide downward into the track and rest on an integrated stop. Gravity keeps the attachment seated during normal use.

The leading tip of the attachment rail is tapered like a flat-head screwdriver. This helps it self-centre as it enters the dovetail opening, making attachments easier to install without carefully aligning both parts.

At the end of the season, the attachments simply lift upward and off the docks.

Included attachments

Towel hook

A 30 mm-wide chevron hook for wet towels, swimwear, goggles, and other lightweight pool items.

All print overhangs are at least 50°, allowing the hook to print without supports.

Cup holder

An Ø86 mm cup holder for:

• Standard beverage cans

• Bottles

• Tumblers up to approximately Ø84 mm

The base contains an Ø60 mm drain opening, preventing rainwater and pool water from collecting inside.

Very large 30 oz tumblers above approximately Ø90 mm will not fit.

Pole ring

An Ø34 mm ring for telescopic skimmer, brush, and cleaning poles.

The pole drops vertically through the ring and hangs beside the pool instead of lying on the ground.

Hose ring

An Ø42 mm guide for common 32 mm and 38 mm pool hoses.

It supports the hose as it passes over the rail, reducing sharp bends and kinks.

Design your own attachments

The dovetail profile is published so that custom attachments can be designed around the same interface.

Track dimensions:

• Opening: 6.0 mm

• Root width: 12.0 mm

• Depth: 2.5 mm

• Flank angle: 50°

• Rail length: 40 mm

• Clearance: 0.2 mm per flank

Print the test coupons first

Frame-pool rail dimensions can vary between manufacturers and pool models.

Before printing a complete dock, print the matching 8 mm snap-test coupon:

• coupon_tube_25.4mm.stl

• coupon_tube_32mm.stl

• coupon_tube_38mm.stl

These small coupons let you test the snap fit on your actual pool rail using only a few grams of filament.

POOLDOCK is intended for round rails. If none of the three coupons fits correctly, your pool may use an oval or non-standard rail profile.

You should also print:

• coupon_track.stl

• coupon_rail.stl

These two parts test the dovetail fit on your printer before you commit to the larger attachments.

Machine-verified geometry

POOLDOCK was created using a geometry kernel that re-validates the complete design whenever the model is built.

The verification process checks more than whether the parts appear correct in a slicer.

The automated tests include:

• Every dock size tested with every attachment

• Exact seated-contact verification

• Zero solid interpenetration between assembled parts

• Full attachment insertion paths tested across 15 positions

• At least 0.13 mm clearance throughout every tested insertion path

• Rail-tube fit verified for each dock size

• 0.149 mm rail clearance

• 0.000 mm³ rail overlap

• Snap-lip strain limited to 0.5% or less

• Seated movement limited to approximately 0.4 mm

• Maximum calculated wobble of approximately 0.57°

• Support-free print orientation verified for every part

• Deliberately incorrect orientations tested to confirm that the support audit can fail

• Watertight mesh verification

• 12 mm bridge-length limit

• Build-plate fit verification

The geometry, product renders, assembly sheet, and exported STL files all originate from the same validated model.

Printing instructions

Recommended materials

Use PETG or ASA.

POOLDOCK is intended for outdoor use around:

• Direct sunlight

• Summer heat

• Chlorinated water

• Rain and moisture

PLA is not recommended because it may soften or deform when exposed to sustained summer heat and direct sunlight.

Recommended settings

• Nozzle: 0.4 mm

• Layer height: 0.2 mm

• Dock walls: 4 perimeters

• Attachment walls: 3 perimeters

• Infill: 15%

• Supports: No

• Raft: No

• Brim: Normally not required

All STL files are supplied in their intended print orientation.

The docks print with the rail bore standing vertically. The attachments print standing in the same vertical orientation in which they are used. The pole ring, hose ring, cup-holder ring, and towel hook are all vertical when installed.

Fit adjustment

The dovetail includes 0.2 mm clearance per flank.

If your printer produces slightly oversized parts and the dovetail feels too tight, scale only the attachment to 99.5%.

Do not scale the dock, as this would also change the rail-clamp diameter and snap fit.

Printer size

The largest required build-plate footprint is approximately:

120 × 100 mm

POOLDOCK therefore fits on most common FDM printers.

Rail spacing

Allow approximately 110 mm of horizontal rail space for the cup-holder assembly.

Towel hooks and rings can be positioned more closely. An 80 mm mounting pitch has been verified as collision-free for the smaller attachments.

Load and safety guidance

POOLDOCK is intended for:

• Wet towels

• Drinks

• Skimmer and brush poles

• Pool hoses

• Lightweight pool accessories

POOLDOCK is not a grab handle, ladder component, step, seat, or body-weight support.

Do not pull yourself out of the pool using the dock or its attachments.

As with all accessories used around water, children should be supervised.

POOLDOCK system

POOLDOCK is a modular poolside storage and accessory system built around one simple snap-on dock and one standard vertical dovetail interface.

The current release includes:

• 3 dock sizes

• 4 main attachments

• 5 test and fit coupons

The system is designed so more attachments can be added later while remaining compatible with the same dock interface.

STL file descriptions

dock_25.4mm_tube.stl

Snap-on dock for Ø25.4 mm / 1-inch round pool rails.
Approximate weight: 19 g

dock_32mm_tube.stl

Snap-on dock for Ø32 mm round pool rails.
Approximate weight: 21 g

dock_38mm_tube.stl

Snap-on dock for Ø38 mm round pool rails.
Approximate weight: 23 g

hook_towel_30mm.stl

Support-free 30 mm-wide chevron hook for wet towels, swimwear, and lightweight pool accessories.
Approximate weight: 19 g

holder_cup_86mm.stl

Cup holder with an Ø86 mm internal bore and Ø60 mm drainage opening. Fits cans, bottles, and tumblers up to approximately Ø84 mm.
Approximate weight: 56 g

ring_pole_34mm.stl

Ø34 mm support ring for telescopic skimmer, brush, and cleaning poles.
Approximate weight: 17 g

ring_hose_42mm.stl

Ø42 mm guide ring for common 32 mm and 38 mm pool hoses.
Approximate weight: 20 g

coupon_tube_25.4mm.stl

PRINT FIRST
An 8 mm-wide snap-fit test coupon for Ø25.4 mm / 1-inch round pool rails.
Approximate weight: 2 g

coupon_tube_32mm.stl

PRINT FIRST
An 8 mm-wide snap-fit test coupon for Ø32 mm round pool rails.
Approximate weight: 2 g

coupon_tube_38mm.stl

PRINT FIRST
An 8 mm-wide snap-fit test coupon for Ø38 mm round pool rails.
Approximate weight: 3 g

coupon_track.stl

Female dovetail test block for checking track fit and printer tolerances.
Approximate weight: 2 g

coupon_rail.stl

Male dovetail test plate with the same tapered insertion tip used by the full attachments.
Approximate weight: 3 g

Print settings

Printer brand / model
Any FDM printer with a build plate of at least 120 × 100 mm

Rafts
No

Supports
No. Supports are not required for any included part.

Resolution
0.2 mm layer height

Infill
15%

Perimeters
4 perimeters for docks
3 perimeters for attachments and coupons

Filament material
PETG or ASA

PLA is not recommended for long-term outdoor use in sunlight, heat, and chlorinated environments.