Fun Fact: I’m all about designing and building things that make my life better. If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I run a tight ship when it comes to my tools and equipment. “A place for everything, and everything in its place” is how I roll—because wasting time looking for tools drives me absolutely CRAZY!   EVERY SECOND COUNTS.

Recently, I ran into a problem with my CNC Mill’s passive probe system. This is one of my most important tools—it helps me set work offsets and align my virtual models with real-life stock and fixtures. Without it, there’s no way to ensure precise machining. But there’s one problem: I’ve never had a good place to store it when I’m not using it.

I could buy a mount, but most of those require drilling into my machine, which I’d rather avoid. So, I decided to make my own solution! Using my 3D printer, SOLIDWORKS, and a few high-strength magnets, I created a custom mount that’s both functional and removeable. 

MY PROCESS:

For most projects, I like to start with a quick pencil sketch to flesh out my ideas. But this design was simple enough that I skipped the sketchbook and dove straight into SOLIDWORKS. 

I also enjoy keeping my sketches "under-defined" because it drives my friends crazy... @AB  @JT 

I began by modeling the passive probe itself to get an accurate reference. From there, I designed a holster that would fit snugly around the probe. 

The idea was to keep the design minimalist and functional while ensuring a secure fit around the probe.  When I need this tool I want to be able to access it quickly. 

Once I finalized the design, I sent it to my 3D printer. In a couple of hours, I had a freshly printed holster that was ready to test.

I attached high-strength magnets to the back of the holster using glue and non-magnetic screws. The magnets allow the holster to snap securely onto the front of my CNC mill—no drilling required!

With the rare earth magnets in place, I mounted the holster on the machine. It fits perfectly, and now I always know right where my passive probe is. It’s easy to grab when I need it and stays out of the way when I don’t.

This quick and easy project was a win all around. I was able to design, build, and implement a custom tool holster using SOLIDWORKS and my 3D printer, all without drilling a single hole into my CNC mill.

By taking just a little time to make this holster, I’ve solved a daily annoyance and kept my shop even more organized. Every Second Counts!

If you’re looking to keep your tools organized or solve similar problems, sometimes all it takes is a bit of creativity and the right tools. 

🎬 Check out the video below that showcases my process. 🎬 

See you soon-
Jason