Tony's 3D print project 🖨️
Progress page for Tony and Sam. Updated as the work moves.
Status
Phase 0 accepted: envelope references
Radio and antenna envelope references passed independent review. The layout study is next; actual radio and bag fit remain unverified. Tonight’s goal is the furthest useful reviewed result, with small physical-fit test pieces as a fallback. No print-ready organizer is available yet.
Plan
What we're making: a 3D-printable organizer that sits inside a soft radio bag. It is a smooth, rounded "pebble" shape with an open cellular lattice (think Wilson's airless basketball). It holds four Baofeng UV-5R 8W radios with extended batteries, two folded flat-band antennas and two whip antennas. The charging ports stay reachable while the radios are seated.
How we'll build it (in order):
- Reference models. Source-labelled radio envelope, antenna and charging-plug models; actual-radio geometry remains unverified.
- Layout and solid fit. Place everything inside the bag's usable space (360 × 147 × 72.5 mm max) with clearances. Then build a solid pebble body with cradles. You'll see renders, including the underside and cut-through views.
- Lattice. Turn the solid body into the open cellular lattice, with no loose bits, spikes or chopped-off struts.
- Print split. Check it against Tony's printer bed. One piece if it fits, otherwise joined sections.
- Final files. Editable CAD source, print-ready meshes, and a 3D preview you can spin right on this page.
Team: a lead who keeps it on spec, a CAD engineer, and a separate reviewer who checks every stage from the actual renders and measurements. Independent fit feedback is checked at each stage.
Still needed from Tony (we'll design around assumptions until then, and flag them):
- Printer model and build volume. The organizer is about 35 cm long, which is bigger than most printer beds, so it will likely print in joined sections.
- Filament (PLA, PETG, …) and nozzle size. We're assuming PETG with a 0.4 mm nozzle for now.
- Photos or measurements of his actual radio with the extended battery, especially around the charging port.
- The charging plug's connector body size, beyond the 3.98 mm barrel.
Progress log
- Oct 12, 2026: Reference phase accepted for modelled envelopes only. No organizer or printability approval yet. Layout work can now proceed; printer and material details are still needed for any printable release.
- Oct 12, 2026: Antenna reference renders added, review pending. A straight planar diagonal cannot hold the 380 mm whip; flexible-shaft routing remains to be checked.
- Oct 12, 2026: Project page created. Brief received, plan written, team set up. Reference work is underway.
Radio reference renders — envelope review passed
Modelled envelope: 152.15 × 59 × 34.5 mm. This is not an accurate radio model. Knob shape, port side, battery details and connector body are assumptions; real fit needs a test print. No battery-guide retention is inferred.
Only the battery region is extended; the housing is not scaled and the battery is not made wider.
Antenna reference renders — envelope review passed
The rigid base stays straight (54.42 mm). The nominal 380 mm length is provisionally measured from base face to tip; including the thread gives 382.97 mm. Thread clearance and the band’s rounded edges are assumptions. Flexible-shaft bend limits and physical fit remain unverified.
Preview and downloads
The finished, print-ready files (STL/3MF) and print settings will be posted here.