Gridfinity Ultralight Baseplates

v1 release - make sure to follow, collect, and like for updates!

I got into Gridfinity and realized that it was a second money pit within the 3d printing money pit!

To fill a my 5-drawer IKEA Alex Drawers with standard magnetic bases (not even the bins) costs over $90 in plastic and magnets! That's more than the entire set of drawers!

Not to be deterred, I was determined to engineer my way out of it…

The Ultralight Baseplates solve this by cutting every bit of excess material from the baseplates while maintaining 100% functionality with the Gridfinity standard, from magnetism to half-size bins and more.

• 2x less filament than standard baseplates
• 3x cheaper magnetic base plates using 3mm BBs in the base instead of magnets

Why BBs should be the new baseplate standards

• 4x cheaper than the cheapest magnets that you can get quickly in the States
  • 1 cent per BB instead of 4 cents per magnet
• No worrying about incorrect magnet orientation
  • BBs are still ferrous, but non-polar.
  • Then you only need magnets on the bins
• Dead simple to secure in place
  • Just push each BB in from the top to snap in place for faster and easier assembly
  • No glue for both less mess, even faster assembly, and even more cost saving

What's in the print profiles

I have provided ALL possible size combination that fit on a X1/P1/A1 plate (1x1 to 5x6) for 3 different types of Ultralight baseplates

1) Flagship Ultralight Baseplates

The lightest, cheapest magnetic baseplates I could find on the web

The lightest, cheapest magnetic baseplates I could find on the web

• Remove all excess plastic geometry from bases + slots for 3mm BBs
• Use this if: you want to save money and time

2) Essential Ultralight Baseplates (Non-Magnetic)

The lightest, cheapest baseplates I could find on the web

• Remove all excess plastic geometry from bases
• No BB slots (non-magnetic)
• Use this if: you want to save even more money and time and don't need magnets

3) Classic Ultralight Baseplates (Full Plastic + Magnetic)

The baseplate you know and love, but with BB slots in instead of magnet slots

• A full baseplate
• 3mm BB slots instead of magnet slots
• Use this if: you want more structure, or to match your existing base aesthetic, but want to save money on magnets (and still some on plastic)
  • Check that the height (8.25 mm) matches your current baseplates if they'll be connected to one another

Instructions & Suggestions

• Print Removal: After printing, carefully remove the baseplates from the print bed
  • The cooler the print, the better to avoid warping when removing.
    • A plastic scraper can be useful
    • Bending back is relatively easy though
• Tips for handling BBs: Keep a spare magnet around in case some BBs spill, and you can quickly collect them before they roll away!
• Swallow hazard: keep away from children and pets! Do NOT put in your mouth!

Installing BBs

1 minute installation demo

• Buy Chrome 3mm BBs
  • Chrome BBs are more magnetic than Stainless BBs but either will work

• To snap in BBs, a magnetic pick up tool like this one, or the one in this set makes installation a breeze.

  

• Pick up BBs one at a time with the tool, and apply light pressure to snap them in place.

How I calculated savings

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