I wanted a set of chopstick holders that were simple, didn't roll on the table, and could be easily modified to stay together in a drawer or a bag when put away (with optional magnets).

Filament choice:

PLA or PETG is probably best, although I'm sure something like polypropylene would be nice too. Shown in images as Inland PLA+ White & Flashforge Galaxy Black PLA. I think it looks really pretty in the galaxy-style filaments. I'm sure Prusament PLA/PETG would look even better. Multi-color prints could also look pretty neat here.

Post your makes so I can see what else people like!

Printing:

Print upright at 0.16 mm layer height with no supports. If your slicer supports it, make sure you have slow-down-for-overhangs (PrusaSlicer 2.6 or Bambu Slicer). You might consider painting on the seam in a vertical line to hide it on the side of your choice.

It shouldn't be much of a problem for a well-tuned printer, but if for some reason you experience the print getting knocked over, use a brim or use all the typical bed-adhesion tricks (hotter bed, glue stick, cleaning the bed, etc).

Post-processing:

None is required for the magnet-free versions. Should be ready-to-use.

If you want to use the versions with magnets, there's a couple common magnet sizes included for push-in-place use. I recommend a drop of super glue to keep them in place.

Design notes:

I thought about making these with “hidden” magnets that you insert in the middle of the print, but I've found that stopping the print at the right time is a pain, so I designed these to be slotted in and fixed in place afterwards.. ending up mostly hidden from view. If you're going to stack multiple of them together, make sure to orient the polarities of the magnets so that they stick together properly

I made this version in Fusion 360 to be easy to customize (think initials on the end caps). I've provided here versions for 6x2 mm and 6x3 mm disk magnets. I'll happily make more for other common magnet sizes on request (or you can make your own with the included STEP).

The magnetic attachment works side-by-side or stacked, which is nice. “Single sided” magnet (2x per unit) and “double sided magnet” (4x per unit) versions are included.

Obviously the square sides give this otherwise rounded design the stability I was looking for. I eyeballed the central curve to something that just “felt” right, and ended up mimicking a lot of classic chopstick rest shapes in the process. Oh well.. sometimes the old ways really are best.

If I was an artist, I would claim that the implied hourglass shape is really a subtle hint as to the timeless nature of the design and a throwback to the heritage of the chopstick rest ;) .