Introduction: Simple Belt Hanger

About: To learn is to live!

After getting frustrated trying or organise my belts, I decided to do something about it and create a simple belt hanger.

Materials

  • 4.5mm Acrylic
  • 3D printing filament
  • Super glue or some other adhesive (might be needed)

Software

  • FreeCAD - used to create the 3D model for the Rail Guard
  • LibreCAD - used to create laser cutting template
  • InkScape - used to edit the SVG exported from LibreCAD

Tools

  • 3D Printer
  • CO2 Laser Cutter
  • Sandpaper / File /Rasp (might be needed)

Step 1: Putting It All Together

Use "BeltHangerV2.svg" to cut the hanger out.

Use "RailEdge.stl" to 3D print 10 guards.

Apply glue to the inside of the rail guards and stick them in place as per the photos.

Extra Notes

  • The SVG file was created by exporting the design made using LibreCAD (DXF file) to a SVG and then editing the resulting SVG file in InkScape so that the colours and line thickness were correct for laser cutting.
  • The STL file was created by exporting the model designed in FreeCAD (FCstd file) to a STL file.

Step 2: Final Comments

  • The guards fitted really tightly and so glue was not needed.
  • Because of the tight fit and the brittle nature of acrylic, I broke my first hanger while fitting one of the rails.
  • I cut a 2nd hanger but this time the rail guards did not fit so I had to sand/file the inside track down until they would once again fit.
  • The above experience seems to indicate that not all 4.5mm acrylic sheets are in fact 4.5mm. It is therefore worth double-checking the acrylic thickness with a vernier first and then printing the rail guards to fit.
  • With all the belts loaded on the hanger, I think that it might be easy to accidentally snap the acrylic hook. Time will tell but possibly a plywood hanger or one that was completely 3D printed would have been better.