Stop Measuring Screws: Design a Smart 3D-Printed Sorter

https://youtu.be/XEtbJ2ijIN4

 

I was getting tired of constantly measuring screws, bolts, and nuts every time I wanted to reuse or sort them after a project. Calipers everywhere, parts rolling on the bench… not very efficient.

So I decided to design a 3D-printable screw and nut measuring tool that lets you instantly identify lengths and diameters, without measuring anything.

In my latest video, I walk through the entire design process in SOLIDWORKS xDesign, directly in the browser — no installation required. The focus isn’t just on modeling the shape, but on design intent: using sketch relations, fully defined sketches, patterns, and clearances so the part stays easy to modify later.

On the printing side, I show different options depending on your setup:

  • Multicolor printing for clean, readable text
  • Filament change via pause on single-color printers
  • Or simply printing everything in one color and painting the text afterward

The result is a small, fast print that actually saves time in the workshop and keeps hardware organized.

If you were to make your own version:
👉 What bolt and nut sizes would you include?
👉 Would you prefer a compact tool or a full-size organizer?

Always curious to see how other makers would adapt this design 🔧