FirstBox is a standardized, parts box designed to stand on end like a book on a shelf. Instead of stacking awkward plastic organizers in unstable piles, FirstBoxes line up neatly with readable spines, making them easy to identify from across the room and easy to return to their place after use.

All boxes share the same outer dimensions so they store cleanly and predictably. They differ only in the depth of their internal cubbies (the “width” of the box on the shelf), and those widths are integer multiples of the base unit. This keeps shelves tidy and even allows stable flat stacking if needed.

A tight-fitting lid stays in constant contact with the tops of the dividers, so parts cannot migrate between cubbies when the box is stored upright. The box name is embedded directly into both the spine and the lid in large, high-contrast lettering so lids never get mixed up and boxes can be found quickly at a glance. I also print each box in a distinct color combination for even faster visual identification.

The dividers are slightly tapered for strength, easier printing, and easier part retrieval from the bottom of each cubby.

A different way to organize parts

The first box in the system is labeled FirstBox. New parts that don’t yet have a home go there. Over time, as certain parts accumulate together, a pattern emerges that suggests the next box that should exist. That box gets printed and the parts move into their new, named home.

Instead of deciding categories in advance, the system lets real usage reveal them.

Printing notes

• I use PLA, but you can use tougher plastics if you prefer

• 0.3 mm layer height works well

• No supports required

• Prints cleanly with 2 perimeters

• Parametric OpenSCAD design

• Default sizes allow both box and lid to fit on a Prusa MK3S+ bed

• Larger versions can be printed as separate parts if desired

This is not just a storage box. It’s a repeatable system for keeping small parts visible, accessible, and neatly contained while letting your organization scheme evolve naturally over time.