Change Log: (Model Description below Change Log entries)

6/9/26: Added additional box height options for 5x5 and 5x6, stacking and non-stacking Rugged Boxes. The 4 new 3MF files are a collection of Rugged Boxes in 9, 12, 15, 20 & 25U total internal heights in the listed sizes. The Top has 1U of depth and the bottoms have 8,12, 14, 19 and 24U depth respectively. 

The same top, label, handle and latches fit all 5 sizes of bottoms. The printer size requirements are the same as those listed in the printer requirements table in the model description below.
 

Also, you will have to use the "Customize" option if you want to generate a shelf model to hold these taller boxes. Just enter the Gridfinity values into the generator and away you go!

4/16/26: Added a parametric “Customizable” shelf option for those that want a different size or height than what exists in the available 3MF files. You can set the width, depth and height of the shelves in Gridfinity units and it will generate a model with those dimensions for you. 

For the shelf width, set it to how many standard Gridfinity grid square (42mm) columns the box your putting in the shelf has, for shelf “Depth” set to how many standard Gridfinity grid square (42mm) rows your box has and finally, set the “Height” to how many Gridfinity “Units” (7mm) your box is tall. 

For the Top Shelf, there is no option to set height, only Width and Depth since, well, its the top!

The model will add extra width, depth and height to accommodate the thickness of the box shell itself and 3.5mm of clearance in addition to space of the Gridfinity interior.

And as always, any suggestions for improvements are welcome! Happy modeling.

2/21/26: Added an optional vented Flat Top Shelf for those that wish to put something other than a Rugged Box on top of the system.

2/23/26: V1 Deprecated profiles have been relocated. If you printed V1 components and need to print additional ones, those V1 profiles have been zipped and moved to the “STL/CAD” section. Look for the zip files at the bottom of the download list named “V1_Depracated_xxxxx.zip”

Version 2 has been released. The differences are listed below. I will keep the V1 files available for those that already have printed them and want to expand their current system, but I will rename them to show they are deprecated. 

The version differences are listed below.

• Inclusion of additional sized systems to fit the needs of all print bed sizes. 6 available sizes: 3x3, 3x4, 4x4, 4x5, 5x5 and 5x6 in both stacking and non-stacking for a total of 12 versions available. All are still sized for 6U internal height bins.
• .02 extra tolerance for both stacking pins and wedge clips to make for easier assembly.
• Front shelf guide ramp has a new profile. It is a bit larger and has a better angle for cleaner printing and effortless Rugged Box insertion into the shelving system. Plus, it just looks better!
• The Shelf system and Rugged Box components have been regrouped so there is a separate .3MF for each size and style.
• A individual zip file has been created for the step and stl  source files for each size.
• Each size and style of Rugged Box Shelving System has been saved on the smallest print bed size each can be printed on reducing post download adjustment in the slicer. (Note: The Non-Stacking sizes of each version can generally be printed on a smaller printer than the stacking versions)

Model Description

This is a modular shelf system (extendable both in rows and columns) for Gridfinity Rugged Boxes for organizing hardware and other small parts or hobby supplies. The shelving system comes in six (6) Gridfinity grid sizes - 3x3, 3x4, 4x4, 4x5, 5x5 and 5x6. All sizes hold Rugged Boxes with a 6U internal closed height.

In addition to the sizes, the Rugged Boxes and Shelving Systems come in two (2) styles, stacking and non-stacking. The stacking style has a built-in grid on the outside of the lid and bottom to facilitate stacking of other boxes or Gridfinity bins or items. While the non-stacking has a smooth top and bottom. If you don't have a use case for the stacking versions, the “Non-stacking” versions require less filament to print, take fewer stainless dowels or screws to assemble and have a slightly smaller footprint.

I printed the shelf modules, boxes and bins in Bambu PETG-HF (Dark Grey). The handles, latches and stacking clips were printed in Bambu PETG-HF (Black). I used a 0.6mm HF nozzle with a .3mm layer height for everything except the labels. The labels were printed in Bambu PLA Basic (White) with Bambu PLA Basic (Black) for the text using a .2mm std nozzle. However, since not everyone has multiple sizes of nozzles, I have set all the profiles up for 0.4 HF nozzles. You can adjust this in Bambu Studio if you want to use the same nozzles I did.

The Rugged Box labels have face down flush print text that is editable and can be replaced with your own text. 

If you have to ability, and want the best looking labels, print with a 0.2 standard nozzle on a smooth PEI plate. The text will be super crisp. Works fine with a 0.4 also, just not as perfect as a 0.2.
 

The shelving system and non-stacking Rugged boxes print with no supports required. 

However, if you are printing the Stacking Rugged Boxes, they do require support. I used PLA as the interface material and the supports were easy to remove and the prints clean. Support is enabled on each object that requires it in the supplied .3mf with PLA as the interface material and the associated settings I used. 

Minimum recommended printer size is listed below.

The modular shelf system has three components:

• Main shelf Module
• Top Shelf Module
• Wedge Linking Clips to assemble the shelving system.

To build the shelf system, simply print the required number of Main shelf modules you need and a Top Shelf Module for each column you create. Each shelf module has a set of slots on the bottom that the tabs on the top of the shelf module wedge into. You can build as many columns or rows as required to hold your target number of Rugged Boxes. Then print 2 of the Wedge Linking Clips per Main, Top  shelves that you printed and snap them into the Wedge Clip slots on the sides of each shelf which will bind them securely together. The tolerances on the upright tabs and wedge clips are intentionally pretty tight. I used a small rubber faced hammer to seat them completely.

The system is very sturdy and allows the boxes to slide freely in and out.

The Rugged Boxes included in the shelving system were created using the Perplexing Labs Gridfinity Generator based on the work done by smkent with the Rugged Box Project  on github.

Additionally there is an extra profile that has an assortment of various useful sizes of Gridfinity bins set up for Cullenect labels. To label your bins, I would suggest using the “Cullenect Swappable Labels for Gridfinity” customizer created by “Cullen J Webb”. 

The Rugged boxes are assembled using M3x40mm stainless dowel pins for the hinges and stacking latches and M3x55mm stainless dowels for the Latch Hook/Handle assembly.

For stacking boxes you will need:

Qty-10 M3x40mm dowels

Qty-2 M3x55mm dowels

The Non-Stacking boxes only require:

Qty-5 M3x40mm dowels

Qty-2 M3x55mm dowels

You can alternatively assemble the boxes with M3x40mm and M3x55mm screws in the same quantities instead of dowels. Just a matter of preference.

I used a large set of Channel Lock Pliers to press the pins in. To avoid marring the boxes with the pliers, I put some heat shrink tubing over the jaw tips which also helped keep the pliers on the dowel pin end while pressing them in.

Go slow and make sure you are driving the pin in straight as possible with the pliers. If you get the pin out of alignment, you may, as I did on my second box, exert too much sideways force and cause the PETG to separate on a layer line at the hole. ;-) Go slow, go straight and they press in perfectly. 

Happy Organizing!

See how I am creating order in my shop with these other models. Might find something that is useful to you also!

Toolgrid Organizers

Gridfinity Tool Organization

Toolchest and Drawer Label Systems

DeWalt 20V Outdoor Tool Wall Mount Holders

Hardware and Small Parts Organizers

Miscellaneous Tools and Holders