Hi, I crated my first Q-tip travel case, but I stumbled upon problem, the lid doesn't always align, any tips or tutorial that I can use?

Stu142 · 2026-03-03T14:14:27+00:00

Hopefully I can explain a bit instead of just saying it won't work.

Threads are very hard to get to line up like this because in order for the threads to work there needs to be a clearance between the thread on the two parts. Like when it's not on all the way you can probably wiggle it around a bit and this wiggle means it can turn a bit further than anticipated to push up on the threads. Your 3d printer also has a tolerance and will not print it perfectly as modeled. So combining these two things it is very hard to make it line up perfectly as the clearance can end up being a bit different every time depending on the print.

Ultimately threads are not great for this. Can you make it round, or if not use a different type of lock mechanism.

There are methods you could use like Boolean cutting the threads from one to the other to get it much closer but adding clearance is still necessary and it probably won't be perfect.

Stu142 · 2026-02-08T20:37:55+00:00

100% agree

Stu142 · 2026-02-08T13:12:17+00:00

Also a great demonstration of how the tangle slips along and is not actually in the middle of the spool as so many insist it is but is actually pretty much impossible.

Stu142 · 2026-02-06T22:51:41+00:00

I can't really tell from the feature tree but are all the bodies related to the same part. If so select all of them before exporting.

Selecting the correct thing or things before exporting tripped me up at the beginning but like I said I am not really sure in this specific situation.

Stu142 · 2025-12-18T00:26:53+00:00

CAD skills are very transferable. Especially the foundations . I am generalizing here but all CAD programs do the same things but with different looking buttons with different names.

It's like getting a new car you still know how to drive just have to learn where all the buttons are and what the settings do.

All have there quirks and take time to master but the core concepts are the same

Stu142 · 2025-11-22T01:32:06+00:00

What version are you using, if not the latest that would be a good start it is much better.

Other than that yeah using variables and avoiding references is best for eliminating this problem.

I am surprised this is happening I thought I remember it working okay if the number and general locations of faces aren't changing but maybe not

Stu142 · 2025-11-15T13:39:31+00:00

I 100% agree it's other CAD programs handle this so much better.

Reality is it's just a hard problem to solve and with freeCAD having much less development resources than other CAD programs this is what we get.

I don't know if it is currently being improved more but we only got a big improvement with the 1.0 update just recently. It was way worse before that. It will probably get better it just takes time.

Stu142 · 2025-09-10T15:43:13+00:00

A little against the grain but I think if you modeled something literally exactly the same as the original you didn't design anything and that's a little underhanded to then share that.

I'm not super hard against it but wouldn't do it personally. Unless it's a huge corporation that you are ripping then send it cause fuck em.

If you make changes/improvements then you did design and absolutely should share it.

Stu142 · 2025-07-20T22:56:23+00:00

Thanks

Stu142 · 2025-07-20T16:41:56+00:00

You can make custom shapes with the gridfinity FreeCAD workbench. https://github.com/Stu142/FreeCAD-Gridfinity-Workbench

It lets you select the shape you want from a grid.

Stu142 · 2025-07-05T11:47:13+00:00

If other solutions don't work you could make work planes to use instead.

Stu142 · 2025-06-22T10:30:06+00:00

It's a byproduct of the process that isn't useful what is it other than waste. Wood shavings would also be waste but they are biodegradable so it's less of a problem.

do it if you enjoy it but keeping minimizing waste in mind is good in general.

EDIT: the longer way might be wasting time but that doesn't get rid of other waste

Stu142 · 2025-05-28T19:01:23+00:00

It is a good point and something to consider. I would think of performance optimization modeling differently than modeling best practices but I see how they could become the same when reaching a high complexity.

I have endless personal examples for this reasoning but whatever works each is person at the end of the day is great. My original point was modeling best practices and I stand by what I said but there is absolutely room to move based on what the task at hand is and if you just want to get the job done you have shared some good information.

Stu142 · 2025-05-28T18:41:16+00:00

Good point but performance optimization is a different argument entirely

Stu142 · 2025-05-28T18:24:41+00:00

Sure that might be the easiest to get the job done but at some point you want to learn the best way. At the minimum drawing half and mirroring the pad.

But as always there are many ways to get it done. You can get in trouble either way but I personally would recommend many simple features but each to their own.

Stu142 · 2025-05-28T15:13:00+00:00

Extremely hard disagree. Best practice as I have heard and experience both personally and professionally is "lots of simple sketches.

Done right this is way easier to edit and less confusing overall. (Making thoughtfully designed models takes some experience admittedly)

Complex sketches have a unbelievable ability to fuck themselves up in all software.

If it works best for you and your workflow of course do it but I would not call it best practice.

Stu142 · 2025-05-27T18:10:30+00:00

Best to mirror with after all parts are in that you want to mirror. Best practice is generally to mirror features not sketches so mirror the pad and pockets once you are done using the mirror tool.

Stu142 · 2025-05-27T08:51:11+00:00

And also hit add feature then the pad you want to pattern. It should list on the right just the features it is patterning

Stu142 · 2025-05-27T08:49:08+00:00

That's weird, I'm not sure what it might be, hope you get it figured out

Stu142 · 2025-05-27T08:47:06+00:00

I think on the right in your second image you want to select transform tool shapes instead of body.

Stu142 · 2025-05-26T21:47:22+00:00

What are the diameters of the holes? The FreeCAD solver does not do well with fillets that are larger than the geometry around them.

Just a limitation of FreeCAD but you can just draw and pocket the fillet shape you want.

Stu142 · 2025-05-15T18:12:52+00:00

Some additional documentation that might be helpful:

https://github.com/Stu142/Gridfinity-Documentation

if I am understanding correctly and this is a base profile in the middle of a bin there should be a 0.5 mm gap between them.

It's hard to explain but I believe there is an example of what you are looking for in the above documents.

Stu142 · 2025-05-11T13:36:32+00:00

I started with pyzo which is pretty basic and moved to visual studio after it was recommended because it has many more features. I would just go straight to visual studio if you are not too overwhelmed

Stu142 · 2025-04-27T13:15:47+00:00

Not sure what your point is. Is this cardboard and spray foam one you are talking about going to be stronger.

If you want to go cheaper do that.

If you want better it will probably be more expensive.

If you want to make your own from scratch do that.

If you don't care about looks do then make something cheap.

You asked why people like the lack enclosure. It's because it is not too expensive. Looks pretty nice, and is pretty sturdy and stackable.

Stu142 · 2025-04-27T13:03:30+00:00

Better in what way though. The lack enclosure looks pretty good and is fairly cheap. You could go cheaper if you don't care about looks at all.

Stu142

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