RigMate – On-Rig Hex Key Tool Dock for Camera Cages

Full description

The problem

Small hex keys are among the most frequently needed tools on a camera rig. A monitor arm loosens, a handle needs to move, or an accessory has to be repositioned, and the operator has to stop and search through a bag for the correct key.

RigMate is built around a simple idea: the tools required to operate and reconfigure the rig should live on the rig itself.

The solution

RigMate is a compact on-rig dock for three representative camera-rig hex-key sizes: 2.5 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm.

Instead of three identical straight slots, the final design uses staggered L-key cradles. The bends are positioned at different locations so the short legs can lie flat without colliding with one another. Each elbow has a larger relief area that both indexes the bend and creates a natural finger-access point. The middle position also includes a dedicated open-edge scoop so the key can be pinched and removed with one hand.

The long-shaft channels are open-ended, so the design is less sensitive to differences in key length between brands.

Mounting interface

Adjustable through-slot for a standard 1/4"-20 camera mounting screw

Sliding underside anti-rotation locator track

Locator track is 9 mm center-to-center from the main screw slot, matching a common camera-cage locating-hole spacing

Two locator inserts are included on the print plate; one can be positioned as needed and the second can be kept as a spare

This lets the dock be repositioned along the slot while still providing an anti-rotation reference where a compatible locating hole is available.

Magnetic retention

The underside contains three recessed pockets sized for nominal 8 x 3 mm neodymium disc magnets. The magnets are intended to add positive retention while keeping the tool channels open and fast to access.

Designed through physical iteration

This design changed significantly after printing and testing real L-shaped hex keys.

Early prototype: established the basic on-rig tool-storage idea, but straight channels did not accommodate the bends and short legs of real L-keys well.

Second prototype: moved to staggered tool positions with dedicated bend pockets so the short legs could sit flat instead of interfering with one another.

V2.3: added a one-handed grab scoop for the middle key and refined the adjustable anti-rotation mounting system.

The final geometry is the result of physically fitting and removing real tools, not simply arranging idealized CAD cylinders.

Prototype status

The printed V2.3 prototype shown in the photos validates:

overall printability

fit of the three representative L-keys

staggered bend geometry

tool access and center-key retrieval

sliding locator fit and movement

The final CAD also includes the 1/4"-20 / 9 mm rig-mounting interface and pockets for 8 x 3 mm magnets. I did not have a camera cage or the specified magnets available for the final prototype, so those two elements have not yet been physically validated on-camera. They are included as production-intent features rather than presented as completed test results.

Why it could become a manufactured product

RigMate intentionally avoids electronics, hinges, springs, and complicated assemblies. A production version could translate naturally from a printed prototype into a compact CNC-machined aluminum accessory with press-fit magnets and a metal locating insert.

The basic product architecture is only:

main dock body

standard 1/4"-20 mounting screw

sliding locator insert

three small magnets

That keeps the concept lightweight, durable, serviceable, and realistic to manufacture.

Dimensions

Main dock: 92 x 46 x 8 mm

Magnet pockets: 8.25 mm diameter x 3.15 mm deep, intended for nominal 8 x 3 mm magnets

Main mounting through-slot: 6.8 mm wide for 1/4"-20 mounting hardware

Anti-rotation locator track: 9 mm offset from mounting-slot centerline

Suggested hardware

1x 1/4"-20 camera mounting screw with a low-profile/socket head compatible with the counterbored slot

Up to 3x 8 x 3 mm neodymium disc magnets

2.5 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm L-shaped hex keys, or similarly sized tools that fit your print

Note: Hex-key dimensions vary by manufacturer. The supplied geometry was developed around the physical keys shown in the prototype photos.

Print settings

Recommended:

Material: PETG or ASA

Layer height: 0.20 mm

Walls/perimeters: 4

Infill: 25–35%

Supports: none

Orientation: dock flat, with the magnet-pocket side on the build plate

Locator inserts: print separately with pins pointing upward

The included print-plate STL contains the dock plus two locator inserts.