3d CAD models

2026, 3D CAD, personal

desc

After modifying CAD models in Blender, and too many times fighting for precise measurements and manifold geometry, I decided it was time to learn proper 3d CAD :D

Luckily, FreeCAD had just gotten way better, and I found a couple great introduction videos, that weren't 8 hour lectures

My first introduction to FreeCAD was Finally Understand FreeCAD: The Perfect Beginner Start in 9 Minutes. And then shortly after I started HackADay posted New to FreeCAD? Start HERE (Ultimate Beginner Tutorial).

Since then I've been making small models, and now even got a Bambu Lab A1 mini at home. Cycling to a friend with a 3d printer became too tedious for quick iterations.

The projects are listed in reverse order, so the newest ones are at the top

tasks3d modelling
cad
freecad

toolsFreeCAD

Weight Rack Padding

A while ago, I ordered a rack for some of my dumbbell weights. But I came as just the metal rack, with only thin sides for the weights to rest on. I tried to fix this with some felt and tape, but it kept slipping, and the rack was cutting into the soft weights. So this was then my first time, using a sweep in FreeCAD. But I also ran into limits with the chamfer took, since the ends partly have small corners, and the tool did not want to work there then. It was also the first time, I printed a lot of the same things, seeing that I needed 20 of them :D

Saddle Bag Adapter

I like using bags on my bikes, so I don't have to carry things on my back. But the bike's seat and narrow seat post started to deform my bag a bit. Since I already had the seat post profile modeled, I decided to take that, and give the back a flatter surface to rest against It was also my first time, printing tpu on my own printer. I used it together with a filement dryer, and I'm super happy with how clean it came out.

Bike Front Rack Light Bracket

Since I installed a front rack on my citybike, the previous light bracket no longer fit. For the time being, I just bend a metal bracket, to make it kinda fit. But it was a bit too bike, and was scratching the mudguards. So I decided it was time to replace it with a new 3d printed bracket.

Bike Front Rack Hooks

My bike has front rack with straps, which is super useful for carrying packages back home. But since the rack is all round at the front, keeping the straps in place was a bit annoying. So I designed hooks, that snap onto the racks tubes, and are held down with zip ties.

Loom Scissors Holster

A friend of mine, who is a textile artist, asked me to make her a scissors holder for her loom. The ring loosely attaches to an existing screw, and has a long tunnel to hold the scissors.

Bike Clamp Adapter

I have a bike repair stand at home, and recently got a new roadbike. The roadbike seatpost has an indent in the back, which makes the bike move around akwardly in the stand. So this tpu adapter takes up that spaces, and helps me service the bike