Modular Stackable Drawer Storage, Many Variants!

Similar to many people, I was looking for a modular drawer system that would suit my needs for smaller items in my workshop.  There are many designs available, but I found all of them lacking in some way, so I decided to create my own design that has solved all the issues I found with existing creations.

The issues I was wanting to address are as follows:

1. Many designs are too small.  I wanted to maximise the size of the drawers to use my entire printer plate, in so doing giving me more storage.
2. Strong and quick to print, a simple design that doesn't use a lot of filament but is still strong enough to hold all the items I need.
3. Labels which can either be 3D printed or a written card insert, and are large, easy to read and change if needed.
4. Multiple drawer layouts and designs that are interchangeable with each other, easy to reconfigure when changes are needed.
5. A way to ensure that drawers can be opened without falling out accidentally.  I found that many designs allow the upper layers to move if a drawer is opened and pushes up against the layer above.

This design maximises the Prusa MK3 build plate, so should work on most current larger printers.  I created three heights, with many combinations of layouts withing each drawer.  Each height is based on a module of 35mm, so a 1U frame is 35mm, a 2U is 70mm, and the drawers are sized to fit within these dimensions.

The biggest issue I found was that heavy drawers will lift the frame of the stack above, and this can cause the drawer to drop out unexpectedly, especially if it is near the top 

To solve this issue I added an optional M4x16 screw at each corner to lock the levels together and ensure the drawers do not disrupt the levels above when pulled out.  This screw is hidden when in use, and can be tightened through an access hole in the top of the frame pieces.

There are two labels locations for each drawer, and the labels can either be 3D printed or cut from card, and are a simple rectangle 67mm x 23mm. I have included a template for 3D printing in the downloads. 

I have included 3MF files for all models, with the correct orientation and settings, please use these for printing.  I have also included the step files if you want to modify my design.  If there is a drawer layout that I have not created, please let me know and I can generate one for you.

Please Note:

On the Prusa MK3 / MK4 you will need to turn off the skirt loops as shown below to fit the frames on the bed (I have included 3MF files with this already done in the downloads).

The drawers can be rotated through 90 degrees to fit with the skirt loops, or printed without skirt loops in their default orientation.

The frames come in three heights:

Drawer Frame 1U

Drawer Frame 2U

Drawer Frame 3U

There is a stiff top cap for the entire stack.

Drawer Frame Cap

There is also a top storage bin, to allow stacking of larger items with a lip around the edge.

Drawer Frame Cap Topper

The drawer options are as follows

Drawer 1U

Drawer 2U

Drawer 3U

Drawer 1U 2x1

Drawer 1U 3x1

Drawer 1U 4x1

Drawer 1U 2x2

Drawer 1U 3x3

Drawer 1U 4x4

Drawer 1U 5x5

Drawer 1U Split #01

Drawer 1U Split #02

Drawer 1U Split #03

This is the label blank model I use, you can print it and write on it with permanent pen, or print the letters using your CAD software of choice.  You can also just use a piece of card cut to 67mm x 23mm.

Drawer Label Blank

This is a complete redesign of the original model, I used it as more of an inspiration.

There are no common parts with the original design, and my remix is larger in all dimensions and has a different frame design to allow fasteners between frame sections.