Is your desk always a mess? Are your needs for organization ever changing? Do you like simple builds to hack your life? Well the customizable desk caddy is just for you! It uses palletwood to create the base frame to hold your hacks.For the key to customization, it uses 3D printed pieces that insert into the base fit your specific needs. There will be a thingiverse url sited in the materials that leads to an ever growing collection of attachments to be slid into place.

Warning: There is an inherent risk in creating projects like these, the author takes no responsibility for any harm that results from this project. Make sure to follow safe practices and guidelines to ensure safety.

Step 1: Materials Needed

The first set of materials needed is the pallet wood to make the base box. Note that these pieces are all deck boards and the thickness and width were not modified, adapt the design for any boards that those parameters differ. For help with sourcing and breaking down pallets, I recommend looking at the Pallet Bibile. The pieces needed are

- (3) 3.5" x 3/8" x 9"

- (2) 3.5" x 3/8" x 3.875"

The second set of materials needed is the 3D printed brackets that fit your needs. The STL's needed to download them can be found here:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3256891

The list of currently available attachments are (the list will be updated as more are added):

- Shallow dish

- Grid

- Calculator holder

- Deep circular dish

Step 2: Tools Needed:

For this Instructable, we assume you have the ability to cut the lumber to length, so we won't list the tools needed for that as required. We recommend using a miter saw to achieve nice square ends.

Tools Needed

- Either a router table, or a table saw will be needed for the dado, only need one or the other is needed

- Clamps

- Wood Glue

Step 3: Step 1: Create the Ledge (optional)

For two of the longer pieces, there needs to be a ledge for the 3D printed pieces to sit down in to. This can be done by creating dadoes using either a router table or running multiple passes on a table saw along the edge. If the thin edge of the workpiece is the top, the dimensions of the ledges are 3/16" deep by 1/4" wide.

Step 4: Step 2: Creating the Box Base

The next step is to assemble the box base to hold the 3D printed attachments.

1.) Using wood glue at all the mating surfaces, create the box by sitting the flat edge of the two long pieces with ledges on top of the remaining long piece flush with the edge. Make sure the ledges are facing towards the inside of the box.

2.)Then place the two shorter pieces on the ends standing up with the short side flush with the ground and the wide faces flush with the three ends of the long pieces.

3.) Clamp between the two outer short pieces, wipe any excess, and allow the glue to dry.

Tip: place one of the inserts onto the ledges when clamping to ensure the gap is set properly

Step 5: Step 3: Customize!

After the glue has dried fully, unclamp the box and slip your desired attachments down in to the box by sitting the flat edges on the ledge. This should create a snug fit that can slide along the edges.

That's it! Your easy to make desk caddy can now be stained, painted, rearranged, and customized to your hearts desire! Please leave comments for any future attachment ideas and post any makes. Happy building!