3D Printed Socket Set Case

[Airfix]

I’ve owned a fantastic 1/2” drive socket set for about 25 years. It’s one of my most used tools. Well finally the blow molded case it came with gave up a few years ago and I’ve been using Velcro as closure mechanism and duct tape as a hinge. Well I finally got annoyed enough with the blow molded case to do something about it.

I don’t have room in my tool chest for the set so I spent several hours yesterday googling replacement cases. I really just want an empty case and I’ll shadow the case with foam for my set. Ideally I was looking for those old school sheet metal cases that socket sets used to come back in the day. I came up blank.

Then today I had an idea of 3D printing a case. Has anybody 3D printed a hinged case that might be suitable for holding a socket set?

I could design it and 3D model it myself using Creo but I’m sure someone else has thought of this and it would be silly to reinvent the wheel. Also I don’t own or have access to a 3D printer.

The approximate size would be about 16” x 13” x 2”

Anybody got any suggestions on how I might go about getting this project fabricated and any design suggestions or pointers?

Cheers

Airfix

 

[gte718p]

Not a hinged case, but the socket tray that came with my Snap-On tool set was destroyed in the last move. Not the most efficient use of space, but I liked them so I printed replacements. ABS, 4 solid layers on walls and surfaces, 25% fill.

If you can't print it yourself, 3D printing is a commodity market place. A google search will turn up hundreds of people who will print it online. There are some big names like shapeways who are really good and popular, but also priced accordingly. I prefer the smaller local business.

 

[pmiranda]

Great idea. If you don't have a printer large enough to do the whole thing, you can print inserts that will fit in a plain one.