Cantilever case for 48 Pencils with Eject Buttons

Organize your workspace with this compact, cascading 4-tier pencil and crayon box! Designed with both aesthetics and ergonomics in mind, this cantilever-style box holds up to 48 pencils (12 per tray) and expands smoothly to give you a perfect overview of your color palette.

✨ Update:

• 10.07.2026: Now with Lid!!! I've added three new files:

  

  • Lid.stl - It fits snugly with a bit of friction, but it still includes magnet slots so you can combine friction and magnetic forces together.
  • Lid_Brace.stl - You can now secure the closed case with two braces, making this box travel-ready. It currently only works with the 4-level case – if you need other sizes, let me know!
  • Outer_Tray_65.stl - This version of the tray has a 65-degree opening angle (compared to the standard 45 degrees). This makes the levels extend less to the back and stack more vertically, which significantly improves overall stability. All other files are fully compatible.

✨ Key Features:

• Smart "Eject" Buttons: No more struggling to pick up a pencil. Each slot features a clever built-in button – simply press it, and the pencil pops up for effortless grabbing.
• Ergonomic Tilt: The bottom tray is equipped with retractable legs. When deployed, the entire organizer tilts toward you. This not only makes reaching for colors easier but also naturally aligns the pencils with the eject buttons using gravity.
• 100% 3D Printable / No Hardware Required: The entire folding mechanism can be assembled using a custom 3D-printed strap/pin insert that holds everything together perfectly. (Note: Standard M3 screws can be used as an optional alternative).
• Customizable Magnetic Closure: The trays feature hidden slots for 4x2mm round magnets. Each corner has room for up to 3 magnets. You can use just 1 magnet per corner (as I did in my build) or add more to adjust and fine-tune the exact magnetic pull and snapping force you want when closing the box.

⚙ Printing & Materials:

• Orientation: All parts are already oriented correctly in the files – just slice and print!
• Filament: I printed the entire box in PETG, which I highly recommend. You can use PLA for the main trays and body, but the custom strap/pin inserts must be printed in PETG (or ABS/ASA). PLA is too brittle for the mechanical stress of the hinges and may snap.
• Magnets: 4x2mm round (up to 12 per tray depending on desired strength).

🧩 Printed Parts List & STL Filenames

To build the complete 48-pencil organizer (4 tiers), you will need to print the following parts:

🛠 Additional Hardware Required (Non-Printed)

1. Button Pivot Axis: 4 pieces of standard 1.75mm filament. Cut these to the length of the tray. They serve as a simple, cheap, and effective hinge axis for the eject buttons.
2. Magnets (Optional): 4x2mm round neodymium magnets. The trays feature top and bottom magnet slots in each corner. You can use 1 to 3 magnets per corner depending on how strong you want the snapping force to be.
   • Middle Trays (x2): 8 to 24 magnets per tray (requires both top and bottom slots).
   • Bottom Tray: 4 to 12 magnets (requires top slots only).
   • Top Tray: 4 to 12 magnets (requires bottom slots only).
   • 💡 Pro Tip: I recommend installing top magnets in the top tray as well! A dedicated top cover/lid for easy transport is on my TODO list and will be released in a future update.
3. Linkage Assembly (Choose Option A or B):
   • Option A (100% 3D Printed): Use the 8x printed hinge straps (Hinge_Strap_PETG_x8.stl).
   • Option B (Hardware): Use 24x short M3 screws (6 per tier).

🛠 Assembly Instructions

Step 1: Assembling the Inner Trays

	1. Gather parts: You need 1 Inner Tray, 12 Eject Buttons, and ~20cm of 1.75mm filament.
	2. Position buttons: Place the tray flat and put the 12 buttons into their slots.
	3. Thread filament: Push the filament through the side hole, passing through all button hinges. Tip: Cut the filament tip at an angle for easier routing. Twist it if it gets stuck.
	4. Trim excess: Cut the filament flush with the outside of the tray. Repeat this entire process 4 times.

Step 2: Assembling the Bottom Outer Tray (Tier 1)

	1. Attach Links: Counting the side pins from the front: Leave the 1st pinempty, attach a Short Link to the 2nd pin, and a Long Link to the 3rd pin.
	2. Attach Legs: Snap the 2 Rear Tilt Legs into the connection points at the back of the tray.
	3. Insert Magnets: Place magnets into the top pockets. (Optional: Use a tiny drop of glue to secure them).
	4. Attach Frame & Hardware: Snap the Frame onto the top. Secure the links and legs with 6x M3 screws or 2x printed Hinge Straps.

Step 3: Stacking and Connecting (Tiers 2, 3, & 4)

	1. Add Magnets: Insert magnets into both top and bottom pockets of the new tray. ⚠ CRITICAL: Double-check magnet polarity so the trays attract each other!
	2. Shift Linkage: Attach the tray to the tier below. The links shift forward by one slot: The link from the 2nd slot below goes to the 1st slot here. The link from the 3rd slot below goes to the 2nd slot here.
	3. Add New Links: • Tier 2: Add a Long Link in the 3rd slot. • Tier 3: Add a Short Link in the 3rd slot. • Tier 4 (Top): Leave the 3rd slot empty. Note: Do not install rear legs on these tiers.
	4. Secure: Lock each tier with a Frame and your chosen hardware (screws or printed straps).

Step 4: Final Assembly

	1. Insert Inner Trays: Press your completed Inner Trays down into the assembled Outer Trays. They are designed for a snug friction fit.
	2. Check Direction: Make sure the Eject Buttons are facing the front of the box!
	3. Done! Load up your 48 pencils or crayons, extend the rear legs, and enjoy your new cascading organizer.

🚀 To-Do / Future Ideas (V2.0)

While I am incredibly happy with how this design turned out and believe it is fully ready to organize your desk right now, a maker's work is never truly done! Here are a few ideas I am exploring for future updates:

• Dedicated Top Lid: Designing a snap-on cover (utilizing those top magnets) to protect the pencils from dust and make the entire box completely portable.
• Design Simplification: Exploring ways to merge the inner and outer trays into a single printable piece to reduce both print time and assembly steps.
• Enhanced Stability: Fine-tuning the cantilever linkage geometry to slightly reduce the backward offset of the expanded tiers, making the fully opened box even more balanced and stable.

If you have any feedback or ideas after printing, let me know in the comments!

Design by Tomek on MakerWorld (license: BY-SA).