Hide a Key - 3D Printed Magnetic Box

Have you been in a situation where you've been locked out of you house and cant find the key ? We all have been there! and had either shell out a good amount of money at the lock smiths or wait for some one with another pair of keys to get home.

So the steps below and make a 3D printed Hide A Key Magnetic box and never let this happen again...

Here are some use case that I could come up with , please leave a comment below if you think of one and I would be happy to add it to the list below.

• Hide spare house key to something metallic in your garden.
• Hiding locker keys at work/school below your table.
• If you live in an apartment, like I do hide the keys above the stair case door closing mechanism
• Attach the Hide a Key box with a spare key outside your Car. In this case select the correct spot and test out the spot by adding a coin to the box and going for a drive before adding in your spare key

You will need a two neodymium magnets if you are planing to use the STL file from Step 2.Size of the magnets 6.3 mm in diameter, which I bought for an Art and craft store called Michaels

But if you are not comfortable inserting the magnets while printing as shown in the pictures in Step 2, you will also need,Hot glue gun or just super glue should work fine.

In addition if you plan to paint the box lids you'll need Paint pens

When 3D printing the box, a good idea would be to select same color 3D printing filament to mask your hiding area.

Download the 3D printing software that your printer supports, in my case I am using the Printrbot Simple Metal which use Repetier-Host as a software to

• Slice the STL files attached,which basically means cutting the part into various layers
• And send commands to the 3D printer while printing

In my case I am using the following filaments HATCHBOX 1.75mm Black PLA

Now while 3D printing keep checking if the height of the Magnet is reached so that you can insert it into the box, since I am using a Printrbot simple metal which does not have an enclosure around it this is much easier to do as shown in the picture above.

Once your are comfortable the height of the 3D printed base is slightly higher , pause the pint and add the magnets as shown in the video above.

Note : Now in case you don't have a 3D pinter you can always use a 3D printing service like 3DHubs OR if you have a 3D printer whose extruder is magnetic use the STL file attached in Step 3 and glue and not the one above.

Select the Lid STL file you would like to print and add it to your 3D printing software

• slicing should take about a 2-3 seconds
• and printing should take about 5- 7 mins based on the design you selected.

In addition if you plan to paint the lids use a paint pen(i am using Uni Paint Fine line PX-21), I would suggest against doing this as the whole point of the Hide A Key 3D printed box is not being easily visible.

Now in case you dont have a 3D pinter you can always use a 3D printing service like 3DHubs OR if you have a 3D printer whose extruder is magnetic use the STL file attached above instead of the one attached in step 2.

If you have access to a 3D printer download the STL attached and add it to your 3D printing software

• slicing should take about a 25-30 seconds
• and printing should take about 20-25mins based on your printer settings.

Apply hot glue to the bottom of the magnets and place the magnets in the 3D printed part and press and hold for 30 seconds

Also top off the magnets with some more glue as shown in the second picture.

Congratulations you have successfully complete the Hide A Key build !! And you have a spare to prevent you from lock out.

Now the only think left is to think like SPY and hide the Hide the box.