I designed this after downloading a popular rod holder model and having it snap on me within 5 minutes of being out on the ice. The existing options were too dainty for the cold, and the rod slots were too small to fit half of my gear.
I went back to the drawing board and designed this version from scratch over multiple version. It is significantly stronger, fits any rod handle, and locks securely to the bucket.
Key Features:
- Locking Thumb Screw: Unlike other clip-ons that slide around, this features a printed thumb screw that locks the holder tight to the bucket rim. It prevents the "bucket wobble" common with other designs.
- Universal Rod Fit: I oversized the handle slot so this will comfortably fit any rod, from standard foam handles to thicker cork handles, without jamming.
- Cold Weather Tested: Reinforced walls and geometry designed specifically to withstand freezing temps - it's rugged enough to get tossed in the sled with the rest of your gear without snapping.
Printing Recommendations:
- Material: PETG or PLA+ is recommended for cold weather durability.
- Infill: I used 15% infill and 5 walls for strength.
- Supports: Minimal supports needed.
Designer's Notes:
- Thread Clean-out Hole: I added a small access hole on the back of the model perfectly aligned with the screw threads. If your printer creates tight threads, you can easily run a tap through this back hole to clean them up. (Note: On my X1C, the threads printed perfectly and I didn't need to do this, but the option is there!)
Ward Performance
