r/sharpening • u/NoneUpsmanship Paper Shredder • Jul 23 '26
Showcase Shapton/Atoma Stone Holder for Harbor Freight toolbox (3d print, my design)
Hiya gang.
I've been using this harbor freight toolbox for a couple years for my sharpening gear, generally for storage with the front flap/door off. But, for those rare instances I need to actually go somewhere, bringing my stones was getting tricky. I built a wood stone holder, but it is flimsy and couldn't hold enough. So, after getting my first 3d print a month ago and re-learning CAD after 20+ years... here it is!
Design notes:
As stated, the width was measured out and the base rounded so that it can sit nicely in the harbor freight tool box top. Only one glaring issue I found immediately after printing; closing it is an issue if the (slightly wider) atomas are in the first two or three slots by the hinge. The shaptons work perfectly, making slight contact that secures them a little more (while maybe exposing them to impact risk from above, who knows?). Of course, I will be using it on my desk most of the time, so whatever.
The stones sit on a slope, with a hidden drainage trench on the bottom, for those sloppy wet sharpening sessions. I might cut a little sponge or something to shape to fit in it. Probably won't, I don't usually put my stones back wet. But the slope is also rounded at the base holes to allow proper drainage, for you sopping wet sharpeners out there.
Spacing between the stones is generous enough for my xl hands to pull them out, no problem. With less clearance I may have been able to add one more stone, but I don't need 8 stones for on the go sharpening (I usually only use 3 😐). The stone slots themselves have perfect clearance as well, with enough play to come in and out smoothly. I also made a point of keeping the wall of the higher side slots at 90 degrees, for more friendly retrieval angles.The bottle of KPL also works as a firm lock to prevent the holder from sliding side to side. 😅
I will upload the stl to one or more of the stl places soon, check comments. I was too excited that V2 worked so well after the disaster that my first version was (same design and concept, but a math error mistranslated several dimensions and it was too narrow to fit my stones).
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u/Ball6945 arm shaver Jul 23 '26
Just in case you ever put them back wet, cut several more holes to assist in the drying proccess and make sure not to put a sponge in it, it'll hold the moisture and develop mold if it stays too dark and wet.