# How to 3D print a hex key holder for your set

Hex Key Holder Generator guide · NabiMakes Tools · Updated 3 November 2026 · https://nabimakes.com/tools/hex-key-holder-generator/guide/

Hex Key Holder Generator makes stands and wall blocks for L-keys: up to three rows of your own metric, inch and Torx keys. Each hole is a short snug hexagon at the mouth over a round relief, sized from your printer, so a key is held straight without jamming; Torx keys sit in a hexagon on their lobes, and each size is raised in front of its hole. It stands on the bench, hangs on screws or a 45° cleat, or sits in a Gridfinity grid, and prints standing with no supports. It is free and downloads STL or 3MF.

[Open Hex Key Holder Generator](https://nabimakes.com/tools/hex-key-holder-generator/)

## What can you make with Hex Key Holder Generator?

Holders for 1 to 60 keys from 0.7 to 25 mm, in up to three rows. Makers print:

- A bench stand for a metric set of nine keys.
- The small keys that came with a 3D printer, on the printer's shelf.
- Inch keys hanging on the wall above the bench.
- Metric, inch and Torx keys in one holder.

## How do you make a hex key holder, step by step?

Everything is in the panel beside the holder, which updates as you change it. Start from a preset, then change what you need.

### 1. Start from a preset

Pick Metric bench stand, Printer toolkit, Inch set on the wall, Torx on the wall or Gridfinity metric. A preset sets only what it names; Surprise me tries another gap, order and label and keeps your keys.

![Hex Key Holder Generator: the presets above the settings, beside the metric stand on the print bed.](https://nabimakes.com/tools/assets/preset.light-Bac6hwde.webp)

### 2. List your keys

Each row is a set and its sizes, separated by commas: metric across the flats in millimetres, inch as fractions or decimals, or Torx T6 to T50. Add a second and a third row for the other sets; a size the tables lack, such as 5.5 mm, gets its own hexagon.

![The Row 1 section: the metric set and its sizes, with Row 2 off.](https://nabimakes.com/tools/assets/keys.light-CKig_eYK.webp)

### 3. Pick the style and the grip

Standing holds keys on their tips in blind holes; hanging takes them through a block on the wall, resting on their bend. Snug grips each key in a short hexagon at the mouth with a relief below; Free makes the holes a sliding fit larger. Nudge every hole with Clearance.

![The Holes section: the style, the grip, its length, the depth, the clearance and the gap.](https://nabimakes.com/tools/assets/holes.light-CxN6F_Mk.webp)

### 4. Hang it, or set it in a grid

Leave it on the bench, hang it on screws, keyholes or a 45° French cleat on a back plate that prints with it, or set it on Gridfinity, its units from the holder.

![The Torx on the wall preset with the Mount section: a French cleat on the back plate.](https://nabimakes.com/tools/assets/mount.light-BrmXrQv2.webp)

### 5. Try the fit strip and download

The checks say whether your small keys need the fit strip first and whether a Torx key could turn. Print the fit strip, every hole a grip deep, then download 3MF or STL.

![The checks, the print figures and Download · free at the end of the panel.](https://nabimakes.com/tools/assets/download.light-BjdmYB9P.webp)

## Which hex key holders can you start from?

Each example opens in Hex Key Holder Generator as a new design, beside your own.

- **Metric bench stand** (9 keys, 1.5–10 mm, Standing, Free): The common metric set, 1.5 to 10 mm, standing on the bench. [Open in Hex Key Holder Generator](https://nabimakes.com/tools/hex-key-holder-generator/#design=1.XZPbjpswEIZfxZprEzCHhPVdtZW6UlupKql6UG-8MAUE2Mg2TaNV3r0aMNuoN4y_3zP2HMwLeGNGkNDhn2jAa9SZsUEbtajRKm8scGiUVyBf4Dda1xsNUnCYlVWTI3Uyi_YgQRuNwDd8MiOCBOet6tvO7_Lj5poGrGqLF5CQH5KoJgGtW_Swe1ed0gPIfD8TVQMS7hyjhwTuNt_2akKPFmR5pz7hmoFMDwWHekTl3-iWsst3_qpGaoAoIQiVN_UAUpSB9yOOSRA-m8s7NYM8FRxa2zdfdO_dt7WwV_y-tukVf4DMNvyoWo3egfylRoebtnbin-QG1fTuE7ZuPdOai6iQejyht30Nm_Qer47yPhScpZxRgSzjLOes4OzIWcmZSDbfdAsPIyIhBCeHpEh-AmciFkeyRXzMyWZxlpI9BRZxSeYhYBG2sxB2CizisL3JGUVtN2b_p5CFFM4i4ewsCs7OKa3SdXXi7JwR5uuHtIKKMbahCYObaGocnL-Gp6Z00-sW1obOpOhlpw-oW9-tT4nmZ5WuEWTCocGZ9DTh8DyaetgnLWiwNOGcw6iecXwkyAJU4U6reocNJbX4eaHqtp8HbrfbXw)
- **Printer toolkit** (5 keys, 1.5–4 mm, 15 mm deep, Free): The small keys that come with a 3D printer. [Open in Hex Key Holder Generator](https://nabimakes.com/tools/hex-key-holder-generator/#design=1.XZPfj5swDMf_FeTnUAiBtpe36SbtpG3SNDrth_aSAw8QkFRJWFed-r9PJuFW7QXn-7GdOHZ4AW_MBBJ6_JOOeE17M7Vo0w41WuWNBQat8grkC_xG6wajQXIGZ2XV7IjOZtEeJGijEViQT2ZCkOC8VUPX-w0_htAiyrqxeAEJ5S5PGwJo3aLHLbrulR5BltueqFqQcBeYPuRw53w7qBk9WpDHO_qEawWy2FUMmgmVf6M7qq7c9Fc1UQP4ESKovWlGkPwY9bbFPo_gs7m8U2eQh4pBZ4f2ix68-7Ze7FV-X9v0Kn-AFEF-VJ1G70D-UpPDwNZO_ENuVO3gPmHn1j2tufAaqcczejs0ENB7vDqqe1expGAJXTARLCmDuwgZcSoEYny-y6v8J7CEZ3xPtsr2JVmRiYLsIWqeHck8RFlFt4hph6h5Ft0BC8oKJ4r_SxCxhBPPWXLiFUtOBa2KdXVgyUmQLNcPsYoGbGxLQwU306AYOH-Nr0vpdtAdrD08E9HLpj6g7ny_vh4amVW6QZA5gxbPxHnF4HkyzbgNl0BHQy0ZTOoZp0cSIoo6nmnV4LClohZ_Xuh24X-B2-32Fw)
- **Inch set on the wall** (13 keys, 0.050"–3/8", Hanging, Free): Thirteen inch keys hanging on keyholes. [Open in Hex Key Holder Generator](https://nabimakes.com/tools/hex-key-holder-generator/#design=1.vZPditswEIVfJZxrJbH8k2R1V7bQhbZQ6pT-0ButPbWNHSlIctOw5N3L2PIS-gC98eh8Gkmj0fELgrUDFFr6s-7pum7tUJNbN2TI6WAdBGodNNQLfpPznTVQUuCsnT55pic7mgAFXzm6eIgZPNmBoNDTteVRpI9zbhplyUugkG-SdcWAnB9Nv2SXrTY9VL5sSbqGwl3i-iHB3eTbTp8okIM63NEn6pqWD90UAtVAOrwxDReXL_qrHrgD8oAIymCrHkoeol622CURfLaXd_oMtS8EGtfVX0wX_LfpYq_y-9SnV_kDKpvlR90YCh7qlx48zaycm7cg3-u685-o8dOezl5kSdzkzlQtZvCerh4KySYpkp8QK7mVO47FdpdzzLZZynEftdweODxEWcTpLC7bRy23cXrGGa-aT0znEow1FMF_LyH7t4QslnCUiVgdZSFWx5RH6TTai9UxY5lPH2YFO8a6ml0Cf-KXF_DhOrm11abpTIPpTc6cYMZFfSDThHZyI1vAaVMRVCJQ05l5mgg8D7bqF7NI9gabJBcY9DMNjyyyKMp4pNOdp5prGsN55MvNPyBut9tf)
- **Torx on the wall** (9 keys, T10–T50, French cleat, Free): Nine Torx keys hanging on a 45° cleat. [Open in Hex Key Holder Generator](https://nabimakes.com/tools/hex-key-holder-generator/#design=1.nZNNb9swDIb_SsCzHEv-SFLdhg5YgW3AMGdYN-yi2pxt2JEMSV4aFPnvAy05LXbcxdTziqQoUn4Bb8wIEjp8Tga8JJ0ZG7RJixqt8sYCg0Z5BfIF_qB1vdEgBYNJWXVypJ7MrD1IqEdUHljgBzMiSHDeqr7tbvJ98M0iVrXFM0gotjypSUDrZj2s3lWn9ACyWHOiauicV8fkjsObzfe9OqFHC_LwRn3ApQKZbUsWinynW6quWPm7GqkD4gBRqLypB5DiEHlNseNR-GrOH9QEcl8yaG3ffNO9d4_LxW74Y-nTDX-CzAN-Vq1G70D-VqPDoC2deJXcoJrefcHWLTmtOYsKqcne2GcIwke8OJBwFJxtjqJkm2NGq2xZ7dnmmBMWy4e0kofALGTSRmMUYia-5SX_BWwjUrEjW6a7gmye5hnZfWSRHsjcRSzjdh7D9pFFGreDnFNUODH_t4T8vy5jbEPDBneiATJw_rK8uk7pttctLK2dyEHPK31C3fpueVQ0Sat0jSA5gwYn0jPO4Gk09bDOXNCIadYFg1E94XhPkEeo4pFW9Q4bqmn200yXC_8RXK_Xvw)

## Which print settings work best for a hex key holder?

The holder prints standing, its holes opening upwards; the cone under each grip rises at 45°, so no supports are needed. The layer height is a starting point; the thinnest wall is the one the printer checks hold each filament to.

| Filament | Layer height to start | Thinnest wall | Supports | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| PLA | 0.2 mm | 0.8 mm | None | Crisp hexagons for the bench. |
| PETG | 0.2 mm | 0.8 mm | None | Tougher, for keys pushed in hard. |

## Tips for keys that stay straight

- Print the fit strip first: the 1.5 mm hole is the one most printers miss.
- Run the Fit Test once: every hole then grows by your printer's own offset.
- Put the long arm in: the short arm then points to its size.
- Ball-end keys fit the same holes as plain ones.
- Before you print, check it on the view's bar: Dimensions shows its size, Measure the distance between two points, Section cuts it open and Layers steps through it as your printer will.

## What if the keys are tight, loose or turn?

- **The keys are too tight or too loose.** Print the fit strip and nudge Clearance; Free makes every hole a sliding fit larger.
- **A Torx key turns in its hole.** Lower Clearance, or run the Fit Test so the hexagon grows by your printer's offset only.
- **The checks say the grip is as deep as the hole.** Press Apply for a shorter grip, or make the holes deeper.
- **The checks say a hanging holder has no mount.** Press Apply for keyholes, or pick screw holes or a 45° cleat.

## Is Hex Key Holder Generator free?

Yes. Every key, style and download is free; downloading needs a free NabiMakes account, which also keeps your projects.

Free:

- Metric, inch and Torx keys, up to three rows
- Snug grips and the fit strip
- Screws, a cleat and Gridfinity
- 3MF and STL

## Every setting, with its range and default

Lengths are in millimetres. Each setting shows only where it applies: the depth for a standing holder, the block height for a hanging one, the mount's settings for its kind.

| Setting | Range | Default | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Row 1** | | | |
| Keys | Metric (mm), Inch, Torx | Metric (mm) | The first row's keys: metric, inch or Torx. |
| Sizes | Up to 300 characters | 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 | The first row's sizes, separated by commas. |
| **Row 2** | | | |
| Keys | No row, Metric (mm), Inch, Torx | No row | A second row's keys, or no row. |
| Sizes | Up to 300 characters | 0.050", 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 7/64", 1/8", 9/64", 5/32", 3/16", 7/32", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" | The second row's sizes. |
| **Row 3** | | | |
| Keys | No row, Metric (mm), Inch, Torx | No row | A third row's keys, or no row. |
| Sizes | Up to 300 characters | T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T40, T45, T50 | The third row's sizes. |
| **Holes** | | | |
| Style | Standing, Hanging | Standing | Standing in blind holes, or hanging through a block. |
| Grip | Snug, Free | Snug | Snug at the mouth with a relief below, or free. |
| Grip length | 2–10 mm | 4 mm | How deep the snug hexagon reaches. |
| Hole depth | 5–60 mm | 20 mm | How deep a standing holder's holes are. |
| Block height | 8–40 mm | 15 mm | How tall a hanging holder's block is. |
| Clearance | −0.1–0.4 mm | 0 mm | A nudge for every hole, on its width. |
| Gap | 2–20 mm | 4 mm | Between neighbouring holes' reliefs. |
| Order | Small first, Large first | Small first | Small first, or large first. |
| Print | The holder, The fit strip | The holder | The holder, or the fit strip to try first. |
| **Labels** | | | |
| Labels | Raised, Flush, None | Raised | Raised, flush or none. |
| Letter height | 2–8 mm | 3 mm | The labels' letter height. |
| **Mount** | | | |
| Mount | None, Screw holes, French cleat, Gridfinity compatible | None | On the bench, screws or keyholes, a 45° cleat, or Gridfinity. |
| Hole | Straight, Keyhole | Straight | Straight holes, or keyholes to slide onto screw heads. |
| Screw | 27 options | 4 mm wood screw · countersunk | The wall screw, from the hardware tables or your own. |
| Head | Countersunk 90°, Countersunk 82° (inch), Pan or round | Countersunk 90° | Your own screw's head. |
| Shank | 1.5–10 mm | 4 mm | Your own screw's shank. |
| Head diameter | 2–20 mm | 8 mm | Your own screw's head diameter. |
| Head height | 0.5–10 mm | 2.5 mm | The head's height, for a keyhole's pocket. |
| Holes | 1–6 | 2 | How many screw holes. |
| Angle | 45°, 30° | 45° | The cleat's angle; a holder that prints standing hangs on 45°. |
| Wall cleat | 8 options | 18 mm plywood | Your wall cleat, from the presets or your own. |
| Thickness | 6–30 mm | 18 mm | Your own cleat's thickness. |
| Cleat height | 20–130 mm | 60 mm | The wall cleat's front face, top to bottom. |
| Gap between rows | 0–300 mm | 75 mm | The gap down to the next row; 0 for a single row. |
| Magnets | On, off | Off | 6 × 2 mm magnets in the feet. |
| Screw holes | On, off | Off | M3 screws into the baseplate. |