Thank You, DesignFlaw06!

[Uncle Hud]

Some of you may know that my topbox has an “organizer” in it. I’ve enclosed the term in quotation marks because it’s a really homemade thing, created out of cut-up SlimJim boxes and duct tape. It holds wallet, house keys, pens, aspirin and ibuprofen, air pressure gauge, a spare FJR key, a case with balaclava, blah, blah, blah, and other stuff that should be kept handy.





Note duct tape binding SlimJim boxes together and holding the entire contraption to the topbox wall. The duct taped boxes worked well for a couple of years, then the cardboard began falling apart. So, I made a new one, with a sturdier box for wallet and keys. The 'improved' one is pictured. As you can see, it still in pretty good shape, but I realized it probably wouldn't make it through the summer.

... and then I got an idea! DesignFlaw06 has a 3-D printer. Could he make one for me? Of course he could!

After a few email exchanges, we got our concept ironed out and my questions answered. The material is the same as used in FJRiders license plate frames: sturdy, durable, and resistant to most anything your motorbike will experience.

DesignFlaw06 offered a few suggestions for an improved version. They were all great, so he began spinning his tiny plastic filaments like Spiderman building a shield.

Here’s the final product. It has several slots that make it possible to adjust the size of each compartment. I’ve gotten it settled in now, and experimented with how the stuff will fit into each compartment.







The green stuff has been there since I got the box from Petey. It's contoured padding cut carefully and glued to the topbox bottom, because I CANNOT STAND RATTLES.

And last, here’s what everything looks like as I arrive at work each morning:



I’m VERY satisfied with the product, and with the suggestions Tim offered.

If you have something you’ve been thinking about doing to your bike, drop him a PM and see what he can do for you. It helps that he’s a motorbike rider and understands how the product will be used. It also helps that he knows how to work his special magic with plastics.

Thank you again, DesignFlaw06!

[Intech]

Tim Dog!!

[Hppants]

Wow!!! Now that is cool.

[raYzerman]

But the duct tape looked so nice!

[CraigRegs]

Nice work, Tim! I don't have a top box, but the wheels are turning about what one could do in a side case...

[danh600]

Them 3-D printers are cool. Could I order a Gatling Gun?

Seriously that looks awesome.

I have been thinking about doing something like that out of wood.

[LKLD]

Them 3-D printers are cool. Could I order a Gatling Gun?

Seriously that looks awesome.

I have been thinking about doing something like that out of wood.

I'm sure he could, Dan.


But there's liability involved.


That's great, Hud, looks made to order!

[blind squirrel]

How do you affix it to the side of the box?

[natehawk750]

I liked the cardboard version better.

Nah nice job DesignFlaw!

Oh and cute man purse UncleHud!

[DesignFlaw06]

Glad I could help. I know it's just a box, but it is a satisfying feeling when you design something, print it, and it just works.

Actually this was fun to work on. In an effort to make things harder on myself, I used it as an opportunity to get better at understanding the modeling software. Something I wish I would have done before making all of those license plate frames. It would have saved me a ton of time there. The box did have the challenge of being longer than the dimensions of my printer, which is why it is printed in two pieces.

It's such a fun tool to have.

[extrememarine]

pretty awesome!!

[Uncle Hud]

How do you affix it to the side of the box?

Good question. It wedges in very tightly -- actually a bit tighter than expected because the topbox walls taper inward slightly as they reach the bottom. So ... it affixed itself inside the topbox with a few soft suggestions from a rubber mallet, and IT DOESN'T RATTLE.

I've been using it for about two weeks now, including a six-hour run into rural SC yesterday. No complaints about anything.

Perhaps someone should consider changing their screen name to "DesignFlawless06".

[Uncle Hud]

Nice work, Tim! I don't have a top box, but the wheels are turning about what one could do in a side case...

Making something to organize the hardcase contents would be a killer idea.

[DesignFlaw06]

Nice work, Tim! I don't have a top box, but the wheels are turning about what one could do in a side case...

Making something to organize the hardcase contents would be a killer idea.

Not impossible. A bigger design effort than just a box, but I'm sure something could be done.

[danh600]

Do you use basically the same plastic material to make most projects?

[DesignFlaw06]

Do you use basically the same plastic material to make most projects?

No. It depends on the application.

PLA (Most Common)
Pros: Easy to print, no bad odor, no shrinkage, good overhang and bridging properties
Cons: Brittle, susceptible to warping, not suitable for prolonged outdoor use

ABS
Pros: Strong material, suitable for outdoor use, easier to finish parts, less prone to warping
Cons: Harmful fumes and odor, shrinkage, difficult bed adhesion

PETG
Pros: Has most of the printing properties of PLA with the similar strength of ABS, durable material, excellent bed adhesion, good layer adhesion
Cons: Stringy, susceptible to humidity while storing, glossy finish

Those are the basics. I use PLA for my basic stuff such as toys or trinkets. Functional stuff usually gets the PETG filament. There are plenty more filament types. Nylon is one of the more durable and stronger materials you can print. There are some carbon fiber filaments out there also. Recently I've been experimenting with TPU. That is a flexible filament that you can squeeze like a toy if you want.

[Uncle Hud]

PS: My organizer has no perceptible odor.

[BikerGeek]

Tim Dog!!

FOR PRESIDENT!!

[BikerGeek]

... no bad odor, no shrinkage, good overhang ...

Wait.

What're we walking aboot again?

[HotRodZilla]

Cool.

DF06, Which of those. Materials did you use for the license plate frames? No reason just curious.