Slide Out Spice Rack

Slide Out Spice Rack

This design is based on and inspired by:
Spice Rack Pullout Design Update by spongybob1958
(Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4826878)
(and recently updated here on Printables: https://www.printables.com/model/419596-spice-rack-pullout-with-metal-rods)
There is an earlier version of the above design posted here at Printables:
https://www.printables.com/model/58718-spice-rack-pullout

Overview

I modeled this from scratch in Fusion 360 based on the model that spongybob1958 published on Thingiverse. The dimensions used in his design fit very well in a standard upper kitchen cabinet. I really liked the approach, especially using the Chicago screw for the shelf pivot and the use of stainless steel rods for the shelf supports. It's a really cool design where the rack pulls out and rotates 90 degrees in either direction for easy view and access to your spices.

I did make a few changes including softening the slider angles which gave me a slightly smoother sliding action. The main change I made is that the base track is locked in place from the front instead of the rear. The front track piece snaps into place, making a mounting screw optional. This makes for easier assembly during installation and easier removal for cleaning.

I also created 4 different versions of the spice rack shelves. There are 3 different patterns on the sides to choose from along with solid shelves (no pattern).

Update 2023-10-30 - Added “Upright” Heart Pattern 

Based on a user request, I added a second set of racks with a heart pattern. The original pattern had the hearts upside-down so they could be printed without supports. The new set of shelves has the pattern upright, in a view that is more traditional for a heart shape. This new set will require supports to be added along the top edge when slicing.

Each spice rack shelf can hold 5 spice jars up to about 51.5mm in diameter. You can customize the spacing between shelves by cutting the stainless steel rods to any length you need. I am including STEP files along with Fusion 360 source files if you want to remix/resize these to fit your spice collection. Most standard spice jars will fit this rack except for some larger containers.

Update 2023-11-01 - Wide Shelf Versions Added

I added a set of files that have wider shelves to hold larger jars. The new file set will hold jars up to ~65mm in diameter (compared to ~50mm for the original version). There is a 3MF file for each of the hole patterns, including a version that has mouse ears attached to the corners to help prevent warping. Depending on your printer, the versions with mouse ears may be challenging (or impossible) to fit on your build plate. 

Printing

Note: Before printing, be sure to check the clearance you need to clear the face frame on your cabinets. The face frame on some cabinets may be too high and interfere with the slider. I have included 3 different track sets with clearances of 4mm, 6mm, and 8mm which should cover most cabinets. If you need even more clearance, you can remix any of the track and track front pieces to further customize or add shims so the slider can clear the face frame.

I have included four *.3MF files - one for each rack pattern. Parts are all oriented so they are ready to print and all parts print without supports. You will have to arrange/rotate them on your build plate so they fit. The largest piece is 267mm x 60mm and will fit diagonally on an Ender 3 or larger build plate. It will not fit the Prusa Mini without splitting parts or scaling them down. You should check your infill and bridging angles if you rotate the parts so you don't have long bridges.

You should be able to print this with any material you prefer. I used a couple of different brands of PLA Plus for all the parts you see in my images.

Remixing

I recommend using the Fusion 360 source file to remix or resize the parts if needed. You can also import the STEP files into your favorite CAD program and make changes that way.

If you use Fusion 360, most edits should not break anything. If it does, you will see warnings or errors in the timeline and will need to investigate them. One known issue I have is a warning may appear if you make a change to the 2 sketches that define the pattern profiles. Fusion sometimes loses track of the sketch profile when trying to cut the pattern into the side of the shelf. You simply need to edit the two extrude steps showing the warning. Select the missing profile and click OK to correct the issue. I'm planning to publish a video on my YouTube channel that shows how to assemble the spice rack and remix it in Fusion 360 in more detail.

Stainless Steel Rods

Calculate the lengths of the stainless steel rods you need for spacing your shelves. I made the dimensions to accommodate my daughter's collection of spices. She mainly has two sizes of jars. Tall jars are 108mm tall and short jars are 57mm tall. Through some trial and error, I found clearances of 12mm for the tall jars and 20mm for the short jars to work well. I made one style of rack that has 3 shelves to hold the short jars and one style that has 2 shelves to hold the tall jars. The overall height worked out that the two racks are within about 1/4 inch of each other.

The depth of all holes for the stainless steel rods is 5mm with the exception of the two 24mm shelves (bottom and middle shelves). Those holes are 11mm deep on the top edge, which works out so that you can use the same length of rods if you have equal spacing between any combination of shelves. The taller shelves are 6mm deeper than the 18mm middle(short) shelf. The base track and slider add about 20mm to the total height of the completed assembly.

Here is an example of the rods lengths I used for two different spice rack units.

Shelves for 3 rows of short jars (57mm) consisting of:
1 bottom shelf, 2 middle shelves (short), and the top cover.

Spacing needed from shelf floor to bottom of shelf above = 
+ 57 + 20 (jar height + clearance)
= 77
- 22 (bottom inside height) 
+ 11 (bottom shelf hole)
+ 5 (upper shelf hole)
--------------------------------------------------
= 71mm rod length (6 per shelf required)

Second shelf to third shelf spacing =
57 + 20 - 16 + 5 + 5 = 71mm rod length (6 per shelf)

Third shelf to top cover spacing =
57 + 20 - 16 + 5 + 5 = 71mm rod length (6 per shelf)

You can see how the math works out when you have equal spacing between shelves.

Shelves for 2 rows of tall jars (108mm) consisting of:
1 bottom shelf, 1 middle shelf, and the top cover.

Bottom shelf to second shelf spacing =
+ 108 + 12 (jar height + clearance)
= 120
- 22 (bottom shelf inside height)
+ 11 (bottom shelf hole)
+ 5 (second shelf hole)
--------------------------------------------------
= 114mm rod length (6 per shelf required)

Second 24mm middle size shelf to top cover spacing =
108 + 12 - 22 + 11 + 5 = 114mm rod length (6 per shelf)

Second 18mm middle size shelf to top cover spacing =
108 + 12 - 16 + 5 + 5 = 114mm rod length (6 per shelf)

No matter which combination of shelves you use, there is a simple formula to figure out the rod length:

[jar height + clearance] - [inside shelf height] - 6 = rod length

Inside shelf heights are 22mm and 16mm respectively for the 2 sizes of shelves.

Shelf Dimensions

** extra thickness is to accommodate the Chicago screw

Rod Lengths

Assembly and Installation

Additional Hardware Required

Stainless Steel Rods (3mm diameter)

• I used rods I found on Amazon that were 3mm x 400mm and 3mm x 450mm and came in packs of 10 rods each (I switched to the 450mm version for less waste). I cut them to the sizes I needed. You'll need 6 rods per shelf and will want to do a little math to figure out how many packages you need.
  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4RQR6LT?th=1
  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4RN3S78/?th=1
• I found it easiest to cut the rods with a small bolt cutter and then use a 1" tabletop belt sander to sneak up on the final size and put a small chamfer on the ends. My bench grinder also worked, but I found the belt sander easier to use.
• I have included a small clamping jig I modelled to help cut the rods accurately and to hold the rods securely when sanding/grinding.

Chicago screws (5mm x 15mm) (1 per rack assembly)

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z3KF18T?th=1

Fender washers (3/4" - 1") (19mm - 25mm with a 5mm hole) (1 per rack assembly).
Standard washer (1/2") (~12-13mm with a 5mm hole) (1 per rack assembly).
Flathead screws (1/2") (~12-13mm) (3 per rack assembly)

• I purchased washers and screws at my local hardware store.

After printing, make sure the slider moves smoothly in the base track and that the front track piece slides in place.

Position the track and track front in the cabinet with the track front just inside the cabinet face frame. Carefully mark and drill pilot holes for the 2 screws to secure the track parts to the cabinet. If you are going to use a screw for the track front, mark and drill that hole now. Using 2 short flathead screws, secure the track but not the track front.

Using the Chicago screw, washer, and fender washer, assemble the slider and bottom rack. 

Optional step: I used blue (medium) threadlocker on the Chicago screw to minimize the chance of it loosening during use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002UEMZ2?th=1

Insert the stainless steel rods and assemble the rest of the rack shelves and top cover. I used a 3mm bit on a hand drill to carefully clean out the holes in the shelving racks. The rods should be a snug fit and bottom out in the holes. You could use CA glue or epoxy if you don't plan on disassembling your spice rack.

Slide the complete assembly into the track and push it all the way back in the cabinet.

Install the track front piece and snap it in place. Optionally, secure it with a flathead screw. Depending on your shelf spacing, you may find screwing in the track front piece a bit fiddly because you have to use a short screwdriver and slide the shelves out slightly to access the hole. Once secured, this will prevent the slider from being fully removed. If you ever need to remove the rack assembly, remove the track front piece and slide the rack assembly out.

The rack assembly should slide in and out smoothly and rotate freely once fully extended in front of the cabinet.

Enjoy your new spice rack(s)!
If you choose to print this, please post a make and share some pictures. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment.

3D Printing is the Spice of Life!
 

I redesigned from scratch, with the main change being that the base track is locked in place from the front instead of the rear.