Custom 3D printed collet trays for organised workshop storage

Precision collets are easiest to use when every size has a defined place. In a busy workshop, loose tooling or an oversized generic rack wastes bench space and makes it harder to see what is available at a glance.

The problem

The workshop had collets stored across existing wooden boards and racks. Those holders worked, but their fixed layouts did not necessarily match the collection or the space where the tools were used.

Designing around the actual tooling

A useful custom tray needs more than a grid of holes. Pocket diameter and depth must let each collet sit securely without making it awkward to lift out. Spacing must keep neighbouring tools clear, while the outer dimensions must suit the drawer, shelf or bench space available.

3D printing makes this kind of one-off workshop organisation practical. The design can be based on a photo, a quick sketch and a few measurements. A small prototype then gives the client something physical to approve before more trays are printed.

A modular approach

The yellow version demonstrates a modular format: smaller trays can be placed together, separated by collet type or rearranged when the tooling set changes. It avoids committing the workshop to one large fixed board.

The finished tray

The grey production tray holds a compact set in an orderly layout. Each tool remains visible, protected from rolling around the bench and quick to select. The result is simple, but it is shaped around a real workflow rather than the dimensions of a mass-produced organiser.

Need storage that fits your tools rather than the other way around? Send 3D Quality Prints a photo of the items, their key dimensions and the available space. The team can turn that information into a practical CAD design and a no-minimum custom print, with a free quote within 24 hours.

Additional source image

The client supplied one exact duplicate of the finished grey-tray image, retained for source traceability: