I like flexibility, and designing models that let users decide if they wish to use extra hardware such as magnets or use a 3D printed connection.

IMPORTANT: If you slice this yourself see section about Slicing.

This clip fits where a 6mmx4mm magnet would and lets users decide how to connect parts, using the clip or 6x2mm magnets. If I'm selling a product I'd add magnets for the satisfaction and premium feel to non 3D printer enthusiasts. However if you are printing for yourself then why do you want to buy hardware when you know your printer can solve the problem?

Designing your own models or want to connect a large one you've split into a few parts to print then scroll down for more information for designers.

Using the clip

There are two clips Standard and Strong. Standard (plate 1) is relatively easy to remove, I use that on my Modular lantern posts when more than one clip is connecting parts, the strong clips are just too hard to pull apart when you have inserts installed. I use the strong clip (plate 2) when the parts are shaped such that it's easier to pull them apart or when I need more strength, for example keeping a single ring on top of a lantern.

First save your fingers! Use the tool and the part that does not look like a hammer and insert it into the clip, you can then push the clip into the 3D printed part.

Removing Clips

This was the hardest bit to design in such limited space and without adding eject holes in the 3D printed part. Insert the hammer part of the tool into the clip, rotate 90 degrees and pull.

Using Magnets instead of the clip

You can use 6mmx4mm magnets and just glue them into the hole, the extra depth gives additional strength.

Alternatively print a couple of 2mm spacers and use 6mmx2mm magnets, but remember magnets are not great at stopping shearing movement:

To stop shearing movement in the direction of the arrows above you can use a 1mm and 3mm spacer. This is what I advise for my Modular Lantern posts, by forcing a magnet to protrude by 1mm and insetting the other by an extra mm we solve the problem:

Slicing

These clips require Arachne wall generation, without it your preview window will show a couple of layer gaps which will cause the print to fail: 

With Arachne enabled these gaps will be filled correctly although the slicer will still show an incorrect warning which can be ignored:

Preview should look like this with no gaps:

Designers

I listen! So contact me I'm open to ideas and changing things.

First licensing. This may change over time, I have no idea if anyone is interested in using it but also wish to protect the product lines (Modular Lantern) from copies. You may use the negative part to cut a recess into your models and release them without restriction but for now by the clip is a standard license and you must direct people to this page to download and print unless you have contacted me and obtained a license to distribute it within your own model 3mf.

You can download the negative part's step file and it's STL is also used in the 3mf file as a negative part to cut out the tester.

Why 6mm magnets? It's what Gridfinity uses so it's likely many users have these already, that's my logic anyway and after struggling to design this within the space constraints I can't imagine getting much smaller.