Designing and creating a better drawer organiser

I need a simple way to divide and organize drawers, especially those filled with small items. I’m currently thinking a system of 3d printed clips, that attach to strips that can be cut to length to suit any drawer. The clips could be 90 degree corners, “T” pieces, and + pieces.

Key requirements…

1. Quick & easy to make
2. Modular
3. Use minimal filament*
4. Use off the shelf parts where applicable

* I really don’t like solutions that require hours upon hours of 3d printing, wasting tons of filament on things that could be better made from other materials

Material Choice

I have a couple options here, plywood, plastic, 3d printing, MDF, hardboard.

I went to bunnings as I figured anything they have there could be considered common. My first thought was thin plywood, maybe 4mm if it’s available. One thing I noticed really quickly is how wonky all of the sheets were, even the slightly thicker pieces were extremely crooked. That rules out plywood.

The hardboard is my next stop, but one downside is one side is smooth, the other side is furry. Not a big deal but I’d rather a uniform surface.

MDF looks like a good choice, pity about the yuck colour though. I guess I could paint it, or maybe buy black MDF if I can find it. On a positive note, it’s very straight and both sides are smooth.

I have a brief look at the plastic panels, but they were very expensive.

4.8mm MDF is the clear choice. I’ll worry about the colour later.

Designing & testing the clips

First test fit

I bought a small piece of Mdf from Bunnings, 4.8mm, I cut it into strips, cut to length and popped it in the drawer.

Well, not much more to say, they work pretty well. Easy to assemble, they stay in place, look pretty tidy. I’m rather pleased with the outcome.

I may make some minor changes to the design to save on filament, and maybe change the spacing slightly. At the moment they’re quite a tight fit.