The desk cable tidy / organizer has the following features --

nicer pictures of model to come!

• Snap on/off back piece to stop cables falling out and also allow for easy cable swaps in and out.
• You pull the cable to use it, drop it back when done and it will return to the base.
• Two modules currently available --
  • 5 holes for thinner cables, eg USB cables / Ethernet cables / AC Adapters etc.
  • 3 holes for thicker items, eg Video cables / Power cables / Screwdrivers etc.
• Mounted to the side of your desk using screws or double sided tape
• The system is 10cm wide and modular. You print have as many as you like.
• Sturdy, and an easy 3D print without supports, works with most filament
• Free for non-commercial use, but optional small tip requested if you find this useful.

3D Printing the parts

I print with a 0.4mm nozzle, using Bambu Labs PLA “Tough” filament with 0.20mm standard extrusion. I have found that 2 walls and 15% grid infill is plenty strong enough for this. So, pretty much default settings for most printers will work. If you print with a textured surface plate this will be visible as the top of the tidy. There are no supports needed. I would avoid any filament that is conductive, brittle or abrasive. Your mileage may vary, but I would expect most standard PLA or PLA+ to be suitable. The thing that this may affect is the “snap” of the cover – this is made to hold but still be removable, which is a balance partly dependent on the filament. If your printer can print a decent benchy, it will print this ok too.

Attaching to Desk Edge

There are two main options to attach the cable tidy to the side of your desk or bench –

1. Screw in. Use the two provided screw holes to screw it to the side of the desk top. I recommend drilling small pilot holes first. One screw holds it in place just fine, I mostly did the second hole for symmetry, but you don’t really need it. Note that the snap-on cover hides the screws. I used a 30mm long self-tapping wood screw and it was plenty strong enough to secure it in place. Do not over tighten the screw as constant high pressure may warp the plastics.
2. Double sided mounting tape. There are tapes which are used to mount things securely on the wall. I use the 3M branded ones, but there are others. I recommend sticking this on the inside where the screw holes are, then pressing on the side of the desk firmly.

Clearance

The whole cable tidy with cover installed is 25mm deep. However, it is ideal to have a total minimum clearance of 40mm (ie 4cm) between the desk and wall to easily enable snapping the cover on and off.

Securing your cables in the tidy

There are three ways you can do this, but really, the first way is the best –

1. Use the snap-on/off cover. This is a second printed part. It has printed-in tabs which hold the piece in place. There is a semi-circular thumb tab you can use to remove it later, if you want to re-arrange your cables. It is satisfying to use! I have been snapping these on and off almost like a fidget toy while prototyping! There is also a guide pin/hole near the tab, which helps it get perfect alignment each time.
2. Use some filament. There is a small hole that runs the length of the tidy. Once your cables are in place you can feed a length of filament into the hole and this will stop the cables falling out. Theoretically you could also use anything that fitted into that hole instead, like a skewer, whatever. This might be a good option if you are really tight on clearance, otherwise I’d go with the cover piece (ie option 1)
3. No securing. If you are careful returning the cable to the base, you may not need to have any securing mechanism. I still think there is a chance that the cables may fall with a knock, so I would not recommend this option, but it is there.

Magnets!

Magnets are totally optional and NOT NEEDED. But they are cool, so I have made space for them to assist in the securing of the cover. There are matching 6mm holes, which are 3mm deep. I have not yet tried them, I think you have to use soldering iron to melt them in? The holes on the base have a channel so you can get them out again in case you get the polarity wrong – which is something I can totally see myself doing!

Safety, Liability and Distribution Rights

This is intended for light domestic use only. Repeated and excessive extension and retraction cycles may cause cables to wear or fray. It is up to you to ensure that all cables are in good working order at all times. I do not accept any liability for the use or misuse of this item. No guarantee or warranty is expressed or implied. If you do not wholly accept all risks, do not use this item. There is a slight pinch risk when snapping the cover on, please take some care.

This is free to use for non-commercial purposes (licensed under Creative Commons – Attribution – Non-Commercial – Share Alike). Please contact me if you have commercial uses in mind.

Tip jar

This design is free for non-commercial use, go nuts. However, it did take me a long time to design and test, and if you would like to show your appreciation for this effort you can throw the cost of a coffee or so into my paypal using paypal.me/saulysw. I wouldn’t ask, but it pays for the filament, the lights-on, and food for the puppy. Thank you in advance!

I may also make other modules depending on the success of this project. Ideas I have include –

• Wall mounted variants
• Decorative end caps, to neatly round of a row of these modules.
• Specialist tool holders, and hooks.