Description

There’s a wealth of stationery for struggling students—stacks of pens, carving knives, and all sorts of miscellaneous tools scattered haphazardly around. That got me thinking: why not create a few pen holders that make it easy to organize and store these items? Considering the varying quantities of tools needed in different areas, I chose a hexagonal design—with an inner diameter of 14 mm and a wall thickness of 2 mm—as the basic unit. Each individual module features hidden magnets for secure, seamless connections, allowing users to hand‑craft a minimalist pen holder that can be freely reconfigured and expanded as needed. To further enhance versatility, I designed three different base options, each tailored to suit various usage scenarios and maximize adaptability—all while staying true to my signature low‑key, minimalist, and highly practical design philosophy.

Printing and Assembly Notes:

1. The model included in the print file already has pre‑drilled magnet mounting holes and solid infill sections strategically placed throughout. Depending on your needs, you can either leave the infill intact and simply remove the corresponding holes where magnets will be installed—or you can delete all infill sections entirely, enabling magnets to be attached and combined from any orientation.

2. If you opt to print with magnet mounting holes, be sure to select “Outer Wall/Inner Wall” under the “Wall Order” setting in your print settings; otherwise, there’s a risk of edge reversal (indicated by the red arrow). For wall generation, we recommend using the “Classic” algorithm—“Arachne” is not advised.

3. The magnets used are standard 5 x 2 mm round magnets available in the TechRep Store—but you can also use 5 x 1 mm magnets if preferred. Given the slight variations in shrinkage depending on the printer and filament used, I’ve added a 0.1 mm tolerance increment. In some cases, you may need to reinforce the connections with a bit of 502 glue or other adhesive; in others, you might find it helpful to press the magnets firmly into place using a tool. After printing several units, I did encounter a small number of instances where the magnets became loose—requiring additional adhesive to ensure a secure fit.

4. The model file includes three base designs and a versatile top support—feel free to choose whichever best suits your needs. If you opt for the two-through-hole bases, keep in mind that, due to potential shrinkage, I’ve incorporated a slight tolerance adjustment. You may find it necessary to use model glue to help secure the connections at critical points.

I hope this design proves useful for everyone—and I’d love to hear your feedback and suggestions for improvement. Wishing you all happy printing sessions!