3D-Printed Home Organization System Selection

Required Reading Before Recommending Systems

Fetch these reference docs every time to verify current specifications:

./gridfinity-reference.md - Small item desktop/drawer organization (42mm grid)
./opengrid-reference.md - Wall-mounted framework (28mm grid)
./neogrid-reference.md - Large item drawer dividers (hybrid 3D-printed connectors)
./french-cleat-reference.md - Heavy-duty wall mounting (45° angled cleats)
./underware-reference.md - Cable management channels (OpenGrid-compatible)
./deskware-reference.md - Modular desk risers with Gridfinity/OpenGrid integration
./cross-system-compatability.md - Interoperability matrix between systems
./frenchfinity-reference.md - Modular French Cleat tool holders with Gridfinity integration

Core Understanding: System Architecture

These systems form an ecosystem rather than competing alternatives:

Dimensional Relationships:

Gridfinity: 42mm base unit (horizontal surfaces)
OpenGrid: 28mm base unit (vertical surfaces)
Mathematical alignment: 3 × OpenGrid (84mm) = 2 × Gridfinity (84mm)
Neogrid: Uses multiples of 42mm for Gridfinity compatibility
French Cleat: Dimension-agnostic (works with any system via adapters)
Underware: Parametric (sized to cable bundles, snaps into OpenGrid)
Deskware: Uses 84mm increments (aligns with both Gridfinity and OpenGrid)

Critical insight Claude might miss: These systems are designed to work together in a unified home organization strategy. Users shouldn't choose "one system" - they should combine systems based on spatial context.

Decision Framework: Which System When?

By Mounting Surface (Official Specification)

Surface Type	System(s)	Why
Desktop/shelf	Gridfinity	Magnetic or friction-fit baseplates, easy reconfiguration
Desktop (elevated)	Deskware	Modular risers with Gridfinity/OpenGrid integration
Drawer (small items)	Gridfinity	Bins organize loose parts, paperclips, screws, USB drives
Drawer (large items)	Neogrid	Hybrid approach uses cheap divider material with 3D-printed connectors
Wall (light items)	OpenGrid	28mm grid with front-access snaps, living-room compatible
Wall (heavy items)	French Cleat	45° gravity lock, 100kg+ capacity when mounted to studs
Under desk/wall cables	Underware	Click-and-slide channels, OpenGrid-native integration

By Item Characteristics (Best Practices)

Use Gridfinity when:

Items fit in 42mm × 42mm × 7mm multiples
Items need frequent reorganization
Desktop or drawer placement
Want magnetic attachment option
Examples: drill bits, resistors, pens, USB cables, craft supplies

Use OpenGrid when:

Need wall-mounted access to small items
Want "living room compatible" aesthetics
Items under ~5kg per mount point
Cable routing with Underware integration
Examples: scissors, tape dispensers, phone holders, printer tools

Use Neogrid when:

Drawer items too large for Gridfinity
Want cost-effective large dividers (not fully 3D-printed)
Organizing clothing, kitchen utensils, workshop tools
Need reconfigurable drawer layouts
Examples: t-shirts, spatulas, hand tools, fabric storage

Use French Cleat when:

Wall mounting items over 10kg
Need industrial-strength attachment
Want maximum reconfigurability (lift-and-move)
Mounting shelves, cabinets, power tools, panels
Examples: drill charging stations, shelving units, Frenchfinity tool walls

Use Underware when:

Managing cable bundles under desks
Need parametric sizing (custom width/height/length)
Want OpenGrid integration
Examples: power cables, USB hubs, cable routing, LED channels

Use Deskware when:

Need elevated desk platforms (monitor risers, keyboard trays)
Want to combine horizontal surface with grid organization
Need curved desk sections (corner desks)
Integrating Gridfinity or OpenGrid into desk surface
Examples: monitor risers, keyboard platforms, corner desk organizers

By Combination Strategy (Best Practices)

Common combinations that work well:

Home office:
- OpenGrid on wall (scissors, tape, phone)
- Underware under desk (cable management)
- Gridfinity on desktop (small accessories)
Workshop wall:
- French Cleat for heavy tools (drill station, shelves)
- Frenchfinity holders for hand tools (wrenches, pliers)
- Gridfinity adapter on cleat for small parts bins
Bedroom drawer:
- Neogrid dividers for clothing sections
- Gridfinity bins within sections for accessories (watches, jewelry)
Kitchen drawer:
- Neogrid for utensil dividers
- Mixed with Gridfinity for spice packets or bag clips
Elevated desk setup:
- Deskware risers for monitor elevation
- Gridfinity recesses in top plate for desktop bins
- Underware under riser for cable management
- OpenGrid on wall behind desk for tools/supplies

Common Pitfalls

Pitfall #1: Choosing Systems in Isolation

Problem: User asks "Should I use Gridfinity or OpenGrid?" without context

Why it fails: These systems serve different mounting surfaces - Gridfinity is horizontal, OpenGrid is vertical

Better approach:

Question: "What are you organizing and where will it be mounted?"
- Desktop → Gridfinity
- Wall → OpenGrid or French Cleat (based on weight)
- Drawer (small items) → Gridfinity
- Drawer (large items) → Neogrid
- Cables → Underware

Pitfall #2: Over-Printing with Neogrid

Problem: User wants to 3D-print large drawer dividers entirely in plastic

Why it fails: Neogrid's value is using store-bought materials (MDF, plywood) with 3D-printed connectors

Better approach: Print only the X/T/L/I junction connectors (~50g each), cut dividers from 8.5mm utility board ($5 for 10+ dividers)

Pitfall #3: Underestimating French Cleat Strength Requirements

Problem: User wants to use 3D-printed French cleats for heavy items (power tools, cabinets)

Why it fails: Load capacity of plastic cleats is ~5-10kg; wood cleats handle 50-100kg

Better approach:

Items under 5kg: 3D-printed PETG cleats OK
Items 5-20kg: Plywood cleats (18mm / ¾")
Items over 20kg: Hardwood cleats, screwed into studs every 40cm

Pitfall #4: Ignoring Mathematical Grid Alignment

Problem: User tries combining Gridfinity and OpenGrid without understanding 84mm relationship

Why it fails: Accessories won't align properly unless using 3:2 ratio

Better approach: 3 OpenGrid units (28mm × 3 = 84mm) = 2 Gridfinity units (42mm × 2 = 84mm). Design combo layouts using 84mm as the common denominator.

Pitfall #5: Treating Underware as Fully Standalone

Problem: User wants Underware without OpenGrid base

Why it fails: While Underware 2.0 supports magnets/adhesive, it's designed for OpenGrid integration (native snap-in)

Better approach: Install OpenGrid boards under desk first, then snap Underware channels directly into grid. Use magnets/adhesive only for curved surfaces (table legs).

System Interoperability Summary (Official Specification)

System	Gridfinity	Underware	OpenGrid	French Cleat	Neogrid	Deskware
Gridfinity	—	⚙️	✅	✅	⚙️	✅
Underware	⚙️	—	✅	⚙️	⚙️	✅
OpenGrid	✅	✅	—	✅	✅	✅
French Cleat	✅	⚙️	✅	—	⚙️	⚙️
Neogrid	⚙️	⚙️	✅	⚙️	—	⚙️
Deskware	✅	✅	✅	⚙️	⚙️	—

Legend:

✅ = Native compatibility or well-supported adapters
⚙️ = Possible but requires custom integration or indirect connection
— = Same system

Read ./cross-system-compatability.md for detailed compatibility notes.

Quality Checklist for Recommendations

Before suggesting a system to users, verify:

Context gathered:

✓ What items need organizing? (size, weight, frequency of access)
✓ Where will system be mounted? (wall, desk, drawer, under desk)
✓ Is reconfigurability important? (static vs. frequent changes)
✓ Weight of items? (<1kg, 1-5kg, 5-20kg, 20kg+)
✓ Aesthetic requirements? (workshop vs. living room visible)

System selection rationale:

✓ Mounting surface matches system type (horizontal vs. vertical)
✓ Item size appropriate for system grid (42mm vs. 28mm vs. custom)
✓ Load capacity sufficient for item weight
✓ Considered combinations rather than single-system approach
✓ Checked compatibility matrix if mixing systems

Practical guidance:

✓ Referenced specific dimensions from official specs
✓ Mentioned material requirements (PLA/PETG, plywood thickness, etc.)
✓ Highlighted cost-saving approaches (Neogrid hybrid, Underware iterative)
✓ Warned about 3D printing limitations (French Cleat load capacity)
✓ Suggested test prints before bulk printing

When NOT to Use These Systems

Don't use when:

User needs temporary/portable organization → Use bins/boxes instead
Items are irregularly shaped → Custom-design holders (not modular grid)
Rental property won't allow wall mounting → Desktop-only solutions
User has no 3D printer access → Pre-made commercial systems
Weight exceeds safe limits → Industrial shelving/mounting

Alternative approaches:

Modular commercial systems (IKEA SKÅDIS for walls)
Traditional drawer organizers (bamboo dividers)
Custom woodworking (one-off solutions)
Pegboard walls (non-3D-printed, widely available)

QuackWorks Repository

For OpenSCAD code generation, the QuackWorks repository provides production-ready parametric implementations of several systems covered by this skill:

System	QuackWorks Path	Status
Underware	`/Underware/`	Complete (9 channel types)
NeoGrid	`/NeoGrid/`	Complete (6 connector types)
OpenGrid Items	`/VerticalMountingSeries/`	Advanced patterns
Deskware	`/Deskware/`	Complete desk system

GitHub: https://github.com/AndyLevesque/QuackWorks

License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (non-commercial)

When generating code: Direct Claude to fetch current specifications from QuackWorks, as parameters and features are actively developed.

Related spirograph skills for code generation:

underware-openscad - Generate Underware channel code
neogrid-openscad - Generate NeoGrid connector code
opengrid-openscad - Generate OpenGrid item code
gridfinity-openscad - Generate Gridfinity bin code

Documentation References

Official sources:

Gridfinity: https://gridfinity.xyz/specification/
OpenGrid: https://www.opengrid.world/
Neogrid: https://handsonkatie.com/neogrid-organise-your-big-items-with-this-free-and-open-source-system/
Underware: https://handsonkatie.com/underware-2-0-the-made-to-measure-collection/
Frenchfinity: https://frenchfinity.xyz/

Community resources:

MakerWorld designs: https://makerworld.com (search by system name)
Comprehensive guide: https://handsonkatie.com/the-ultimate-home-organisation-system/
Gridfinity generator: https://gridfinitygenerator.com/

Related spirograph plugin skills:

opengrid-openscad (code generation for OpenGrid accessories)

home-organization