This video details the process of organizing a "drawer of shame" filled with uncommon precision tools using the Gridfinity system. Recognizing the lack of pre-made bins for these unique tools, the creator introduces and demonstrates "Tool Trace AI," a free online generator that creates custom Gridfinity bins from a simple photograph. The process involves taking a picture of the tools with a paper for scale, uploading it to the AI tool, and adjusting settings like pocket depth and offset. The video also explores printing custom two-color bins to emulate traditional shadow boards, sharing insights and lessons learned regarding filament adhesion and alternative printing methods. The final result is a highly organized drawer, with the creator providing feature requests to further enhance Tool Trace AI's utility.
Organizing Your Workspace with Tool Trace AI and Gridfinity
0:02 Gridfinity Workflow Improvement: The presenter highlights Gridfinity as a significant workflow improvement for desk organization, though one "shameful drawer" remains to be addressed with custom solutions.
0:48 Introducing Tool Trace AI: The video introduces Tool Trace AI, a free online generator that creates custom shadowboard files and Gridfinity bins from a photo, eliminating the need for CAD knowledge.
1:37 The "Drawer of Shame": The focus shifts to organizing a notoriously messy drawer containing various uncommon precision tools, including expensive Mitutoyo instruments.
2:24 Gridfinity Base Plate Setup: The presenter measures the drawer dimensions and uses an online generator to create a Gridfinity base plate, which is then cut in a slicer for printing.
2:57 Custom Bin Creation with Tool Trace AI: For less common tools, Tool Trace AI automates the design of custom bins. Users upload a photo of their tools on a sheet of paper (for scale) and the software generates outlines.
Scale Calibration: Select paper size (e.g., A4) and highlight it on the screen for accurate scaling.
Tool Outline Detection: Click "new tool" and hover over an object; add markers for complex, multi-colored tools to ensure a full shape capture.
Gridfinity Mode & Units: Switch from "foam" to "gridfinity" mode and set units to millimeters.
Pocket Depth: Set pocket depth (e.g., 15.4mm for a 2-unit bin height, including the 10mm base).
Offset Distance: Adjust the space between the tool and the cutout wall; "small" generally provides a better fit.
Layout & Notches: Tweak tool orientation and add optional "finger notches" for easier tool retrieval.
7:27 Dual-Color Bin Strategy: To mimic traditional shadow boards, the presenter aims for two-color bins (yellow for the tool, black as the base). Initial attempts involved a single manual color change in the G-code, which caused adhesion issues with cheaper filament.
9:22 Printing Lessons Learned: A smarter approach for dual-color bins is to print the bin and a 0.5mm insert separately in different colors, then drop the insert into the finished bin. This avoids layer adhesion problems.
10:47 Customization Options: Extra pockets can be added for accessories using slicer functions, and text labels can be embossed/engraved for tool identification.
11:11 Printing Settings: Bins are printed with low infill (5%) and a single bottom layer for efficiency without sacrificing adhesion.
11:47 Final Organization & Stacking: The customized Gridfinity bins successfully organize the drawer, with stackable bins used for larger, less frequently accessed tools.
12:15 Tool Trace AI Feature Requests: The creator suggests improvements for Tool Trace AI:
Use Gridfinity standard for bin height.
Add a preview of the detected outline in the tool selection window.
Include basic shape tools for adding accessory cutouts.
Implement a zoom option in the tool selection window for precision.
12:54 Conclusion: Tool Trace AI is praised as an amazing, time-saving tool for anyone seeking better drawer organization without CAD expertise, despite some minor outline imperfections. Exporting as a STEP file allows further CAD refinement.