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Hinge: comes off the bed working, thanks to built-in pins

This page opens the DrawSTL hinge template: a classic knuckle hinge whose two leaves interlock at the knuckles, sized in millimetres and downloaded as a print-ready STL. With the built-in pin option the two leaves print as separate bodies in the same job and seat on each other through 45 degree cone pins, so there is nothing to assemble.

Choose the separate pin option and a hole runs the full length through the knuckles for a pin you fit yourself. The knuckle cross-section is a teardrop with a 45 degree chamfered base, so it meets the bed on a flat rather than a line.

Open in editor See the sizes

Free, no sign-up. Change the sizes in millimetres and download the STL.

Ready-made variants

Each variant is the same template with different settings. Follow the link and the editor opens with those values.

Small hinge 40 mm, 3 knuckles

Pin: Built-in (print in place) · Length: 40 mm · Leaf width: 20 mm +7
Open this variant: Small hinge 40 mm, 3 knuckles
Long hinge 120 mm, 5 knuckles

Pin: Built-in (print in place) · Length: 120 mm · Leaf width: 36 mm +7
Open this variant: Long hinge 120 mm, 5 knuckles
60 mm hinge with separate pin

Pin: Separate pin · Length: 60 mm · Leaf width: 26 mm +8
Open this variant: 60 mm hinge with separate pin
Wide leaf 90 mm, 7 knuckles

Pin: Built-in (print in place) · Length: 90 mm · Leaf width: 55 mm +7
Open this variant: Wide leaf 90 mm, 7 knuckles

Adjustable sizes

These values are edited in the editor's template panel. A number outside the range is clamped to the nearest limit automatically.

Size	Range	Default
Shape
Pin	Built-in (print in place), Separate pin	Built-in (print in place)
Dimensions
Length	20–200 mm	60 mm
Leaf width	8–80 mm	26 mm
Leaf thickness	1.5–12 mm	3 mm
Knuckles
Knuckles	3–11	3
Knuckle diameter	4–30 mm	8 mm
Pin diameter	1–12 mm	3.5 mm
Pin clearance	0.1–1 mm	0.35 mm
Knuckle gap	0.1–1.2 mm	0.35 mm
Mounting
Holes per column	0–6	2
Hole columns	1–2	2
Screw hole Ø	0–10 mm	3.5 mm

What it is used for

Hinges for printed boxes, crates and lids
Electronics enclosures, battery doors and service hatches
Model, toy and puppet joints
Small cabinet doors, panels and frames
Folding stands, holders and side tables

Printing tips

Orientation: The hinge is built open, with both leaves flat on the bed. Do not rotate it: standing the knuckle axis up breaks the print-in-place behaviour.
Layer height: 0.16 mm. Stay at or below 0.2 mm, since the clearance between moving parts has to stay accurate.
Infill: 40-60%. With leaves 3 mm thick or less, raise the wall count to 3, as walls matter more than infill here.
Supports: None. Built-in pins are 45 degree cones, and with a separate pin the hole prints horizontally over a short bridge.
Material: PETG is the best all-round pick for a part that flexes and wears repeatedly. PLA holds sharper detail but cracks at the knuckle root; use ASA outdoors.

Tips

Do not drop the clearance between moving parts below 0.3 mm, or a print-in-place hinge fuses and will not turn.
Work the hinge open slowly and progressively the first time, which breaks any light fusing.
For a separate pin on small hinges, 1.75 mm filament works well; set the pin diameter to 1.9 mm.

How a print-in-place hinge works

With the built-in pin option, the two leaves print as separate bodies that never touch. The 45 degree cone pins on the sides of each knuckle sit in the matching cone seats of the opposite knuckle, with clearance everywhere between. As long as that clearance stops material fusing, the hinge comes off the bed already working.

Two values decide whether it is safe: the gap between knuckles and the pin clearance. The template computes the real diagonal clearance from both, and when the result falls below 0.3 mm a warning appears in the panel and the gap needs raising.

0.3-0.4 mm clearance: safe print in place, slightly stiff action
0.5-0.6 mm clearance: free action with a little play
0.35 mm pin clearance: the default, correct on most printers
Below 0.3 mm: high risk of the parts fusing together

Built-in pin or separate pin

The built-in pin is the fastest route: the hinge is ready when the print finishes. The trade-off is that pin diameter is limited by knuckle diameter and the pivot runs on plastic, so cone pins wear on hinges that move often.

With a separate pin, one hole runs through all the knuckles, and a metal pin moves the wear off the plastic for a longer-lived hinge. The hole prints horizontally over a short bridge; keeping it 0.3 mm over the pin makes fitting easier.

Frequently asked questions

Does the hinge really come off the bed working?

With the built-in pin option, yes. The leaves print as separate bodies joined by cone pins, and at 0.3 mm clearance or more it moves straight off the bed.

The parts fused together, what now?

Work it slowly and progressively first, which separates light fusing. If it still binds, raise the knuckle gap by 0.1 mm and reprint.

What can I use as a separate pin?

A piece of filament, a nail, a screw shank or a stainless rod. On small hinges 1.75 mm filament is practical; set the pin diameter 0.3 mm over it.

Why did my knuckle count go down?

Each knuckle has to stay at least 2 mm long. If the length you set cannot fit that many, the count is reduced and the panel reports the value used.

Why is the leaf wider than I asked for?

The leaf cannot be narrower than the area the rotating knuckle sweeps. When your value is too small, it is raised to the smallest workable size.

Similar templates

Set the sizes to fit your part

Open the template in the editor, enter your values and download a print-ready STL. No account needed.

Open in editor

Ready-made variants

Small hinge 40 mm, 3 knuckles

Long hinge 120 mm, 5 knuckles

60 mm hinge with separate pin

Wide leaf 90 mm, 7 knuckles