Products HomeBenchtop Organizers
- Great for Any Benchtop or Breadboard
- Breadboard-Mountable or Freestanding Tool Caddies
- Magnetic Storage Tray for Tools, Parts, and Accessories
MPT01
Magnetic Storage Tray
The BT17 Tool Caddy is designed to hold 1/2" posts for quick access to pre-mounted components.
(Ball drivers and squirt bottles are included; posts and mounts are not included.)
TC2
Balldriver Set
TC4
Breadboard Mounted Tool Caddy
(Breadboard Not Included)
Application Idea
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Thorlabs offers several balldriver kits that come with a holder designed to minimize laboratory clutter and keep tools organized and easy to find. The BT17(/M) balldriver holder can also hold Ø1/2" post mounted components. The MPT01 magnetic storage tray is ideal for retaining and tidying small tools, parts, and accessories. For larger equipment, consider a 19" rack system with various shelving options that can be used to organize a wide variety of laboratory equipment and tools. The 19" rack system can also be used to hold Thorlabs' optomechanical component kits.
Balldriver Dimensions
Simplified Balldriver Diagram
Each of the benchtop organizers [e.g. TC2, TC3/M, BT17(/M) and TC4(/M)] have tools which share dimensions across hex sizes that are given below. Individual balldrivers can be purchased individually by clicking on the part in the Item # columns below. We also offer extra-long ball drivers with hex sizes of 3/16" or 5 mm which are not included in our benchtop organizers.
| Imperial Balldrivers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Hex Size | Drive Shaft Length (S) |
Handle Length (H) |
Total Length |
| BD-050 | 0.050" | 3.17" | 1.50" | 4.67" |
| BD-1/16 | 1/16" | 3.30" | 1.50" | 4.80" |
| BD-5/64 | 5/64" | 3.60" | 1.78" | 5.38" |
| BD-3/32 | 3/32" | 3.47" | 1.89" | 5.36" |
| BD-7/64 | 7/64" | 2.95" | 2.15" | 5.10" |
| BD-1/8 | 1/8" | 3.12" | 2.17" | 5.29" |
| BD-9/64 | 9/64" | 3.27" | 2.84" | 6.11" |
| BD-5/32 | 5/32" | 3.55" | 2.85" | 6.40" |
| BD-3/16 | 3/16" | 3.67" | 3.49" | 7.13" |
| BD-3/16L | 3/16" | 7.86" | 3.49" | 11.35" |
| Metric Balldrivers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Hex Size | Drive Shaft Length (S) |
Handle Length (H) |
Total Length |
| BD-1.3M | 1.3 mm | 79.9 mm | 37.6 mm | 117.5 mm |
| BD-1.5M | 1.5 mm | 85.7 mm | 38.0 mm | 123.7 mm |
| BD-2M | 2.0 mm | 87.8 mm | 48.0 mm | 135.8 mm |
| BD-2.5M | 2.5 mm | 98.3 mm | 48.0 mm | 146.3 mm |
| BD-3M | 3.0 mm | 81.2 mm | 55.2 mm | 136.4 mm |
| BD-4M | 4.0 mm | 94.3 mm | 71.0 mm | 165.3 mm |
| BD-5M | 5.0 mm | 108.3 mm | 86.9 mm | 195.2 mm |
| BD-5ML | 5.0 mm | 196.6 mm | 88.0 mm | 284.6 mm |
Non-Magnetic Hex Key Diagram
Standard and Color-Coded Hex Key Diagram
Hex Key Dimensions
Thorlabs offers a variety of hex keys. Standard hex keys are included with our benchtop organizers [e.g. TC2, TC3/M, BT17(/M) and TC4(/M)], as well as hex key kits (HK2A98 and HK2B88) and hex key packs (HK050 and 564HK). Titanium, non-magnetic hex keys are offered individually. Finally, we offer hex key sets with color-coded heat-shrink tubing that corresponds to the size of the hex for easy identification. Each of these varieties have slightly different dimensions, which are provided below. Some can be purchased individually by clicking on the part in the Item # columns below.
| Standard Imperial Hex Keys | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Hex Size | Length (L) | Width (W) |
| - | 0.028" | 1.26" | 0.24" |
| - | 0.035" | 1.27" | 0.38" |
| HK050a | 0.050" | 1.70" | 0.58" |
| - | 1/16" | 1.82" | 0.63" |
| 564HKa | 5/64" | 1.98" | 0.69" |
| - | 3/32" | 2.08" | 0.77" |
| - | 7/64" | 2.26" | 0.82" |
| - | 1/8" | 2.40" | 0.87" |
| - | 9/64" | 2.52" | 0.93" |
| - | 5/32" | 2.68" | 1.00" |
| - | 3/16" | 2.93" | 1.13" |
| Non-Magnetic Imperial Hex Keysa | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Hex Size | Length (L) | Width (W) |
| HK050NM | 0.050" | 1 7/8" | 5/8" |
| HK116NM | 1/16" | 2" | 3/4" |
| HK564NM | 5/64" | 2 1/16" | 13/16" |
| HK332NM | 3/32" | 2 1/4" | 7/8" |
| HK764NM | 7/64" | 2 3/8" | 1 15/16" |
| HK18NM | 1/8" | 2 9/16" | 1 1/16" |
| HK964NM | 9/64" | 2 3/4" | 1 3/16" |
| HK532NM | 5/32" | 3" | 1 5/16" |
| HK316NM | 3/16" | 3 5/16" | 1 1/2" |
| Imperial Color-Coded Hex Key Set, Item # CCHK |
||
|---|---|---|
| Hex Size | Length (L) | Width (W) |
| 0.028" | 1.30" | 0.26" |
| 0.035" | 1.25" | 0.40" |
| 0.050" | 1.69" | 0.58" |
| 1/16" | 1.85" | 0.62" |
| 5/64" | 2.01" | 0.68" |
| 3/32" | 2.12" | 0.75" |
| 7/64" | 2.26" | 0.81" |
| 1/8" | 2.39" | 0.88" |
| 9/64" | 2.54" | 0.92" |
| 5/32" | 2.69" | 1.00" |
| 3/16" | 2.94" | 1.11" |
| Standard Metric Hex Keys | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Hex Size | Length (L) | Width (W) | ||
| - | 0.7 mm | 32.4 mm | 6.2 mm | ||
| - | 0.9 mm | 32.8 mm | 9.6 mm | ||
| - | 1.3 mm | 43.8 mm | 14.4 mm | ||
| - | 1.5 mm | 45.8 mm | 14.9 mm | ||
| - | 2.0 mm | 51.2 mm | 18.0 mm | ||
| - | 2.5 mm | 56.8 mm | 20.0 mm | ||
| - | 3.0 mm | 65.1 mm | 21.6 mm | ||
| - | 4.0 mm | 72.6 mm | 25.6 mm | ||
| - | 5.0 mm | 82.0 mm | 32.2 mm | ||
| Non-Magnetic Metric Hex Keysa | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Hex Size | Length (L) | Width (W) | ||
| HKM15NM | 1.5 mm | 1 15/16" | 5/8" | ||
| HKM20NM | 2.0 mm | 2 1/16" | 3/4" | ||
| HKM25NM | 2.5 mm | 2 3/16" | 1 3/16" | ||
| HKM30NM | 3.0 mm | 2 3/8" | 1 15/16" | ||
| HKM40NM | 4.0 mm | 2 1/2" | 1 1/16" | ||
| HKM50NM | 5.0 mm | 2 3/4" | 1 1/4" | ||
| Metric Color-Coded Hex Key Set, Item # CCHK/M |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hex Size | Length (L) | Width (W) | ||
| 0.7 mm | 32.2 mm | 6.7 mm | ||
| 0.9 mm | 32.2 mm | 9.8 mm | ||
| 1.3 mm | 43.2 mm | 14.9 mm | ||
| 1.5 mm | 45.6 mm | 14.9 mm | ||
| 2.0 mm | 50.1 mm | 17.3 mm | ||
| 2.5 mm | 57.0 mm | 19.9 mm | ||
| 3.0 mm | 64.0 mm | 22.1 mm | ||
| 4.0 mm | 73.3 mm | 25.9 mm | ||
| 5.0 mm | 85.2 mm | 34.6 mm | ||
Click to Enlarge
BT17 Packaging
Smart Pack Goals
- Reduce Weight of Packaging
- Increase Usage of Recyclable Materials
- Improve Packing Integrity
- Decrease Shipping Costs
Thorlabs' Smart Pack Initiative is aimed at minimizing waste while providing adequate protection for our products. By eliminating any unnecessary packaging, implementing design changes, and utilizing eco-friendly materials, this initiative seeks to reduce the environmental impact of our product packaging.
The updated BT17 and BT17/M packaging primarily consists of recycled paper and cardboard and weighs 41.27% less than the original packaging. This weight change results in a reduction in travel-based CO2 emissions of 107.78 kg per year for the BT17 and 129.34 kg per year for the BT17/M, based on typical product sales.
As we move through our product line, we will indicate re-engineered, eco-friendly packaging with our Smart Pack logo, which can be seen above.
| Posted Comments: | |
Christian Goerke
(posted 2023-02-02 12:52:43.537) Please also offer tool caddies without the tools. jdelia
(posted 2023-02-06 08:29:45.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs, and for providing this valuable feedback. While we do not offer the caddies separately as of now, I can certainly pass along your request to our design engineers through our internal suggestion forum. I have also reached out to you directly to discuss purchasing separate caddies as a component. sremington
(posted 2017-03-01 11:05:37.62) Hi,
The organizers are a great idea. HOWEVER, a lot of us lab rats already have our tools, but need organizers. It would be a huge benefit if you would sell the organizers separately. I especially would be interested in seeing something very similar to your TC4 BUT have two sets of generic holes that would fit either imperial or metric balldrivers. Two sets because I use both imperial and metric balldrivers on a daily basis! jlow
(posted 2017-03-02 11:42:35.0) Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: Thank you very much for the suggestions. We will look into providing the organizers separately. thomas.harty
(posted 2016-09-23 13:22:57.727) Is it possible to buy a TC4/M without the hex keys/ball drivers? We already have nicer ball drivers we prefer to use, but I would like to buy the caddy. jlow
(posted 2016-09-23 01:46:00.0) Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: Yes we can supply the caddy. apcolom
(posted 2016-03-10 17:01:29.79) I would like to be able to buy just the caddy of the TC2 balldriver set.
I had ordered some comfort-grip balldrivers from another vendor, and now I would like more of the same great TC2-caddies to put them in! besembeson
(posted 2016-03-11 10:59:46.0) Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA. We can provide this to you. I will contact you please. |
Zoom| TC3/M Metric Kit Contents | |
|---|---|
| Balldrivers | Hex Keys |
| - | 0.7 mm |
| - | 0.9 mm |
| - | 1.3 mm |
| 1.5 mm (BD-1.5M) | 1.5 mm |
| 2 mm (BD-2M) | 2 mm |
| 2.5 mm (BD-2.5M) | 2.5 mm |
| 3 mm (BD-3M) | 3 mm |
| 4 mm (BD-4M) | 4 mm |
| 5 mm (BD-5M) | 5 mm |
| TC2 Imperial Kit Contents | |
|---|---|
| Balldrivers | Hex Keys |
| - | 0.028" |
| - | 0.035" |
| 0.050" (BD-050) | 0.050" (HK050) |
| 1/16" (BD-1/16) | 1/16" |
| 5/64" (BD-5/64) | 5/64" (564HK) |
| 3/32" (BD-3/32) | 3/32" |
| 7/64" (BD-7/64) | 7/64" |
| 1/8" (BD-1/8) | 1/8" |
| 9/64" (BD-9/64) | 9/64" |
| 5/32" (BD-5/32) | 5/32" |
| 3/16" (BD-3/16) | 3/16" |
- Facilitates Organization
- Available in Imperial and Metric Sizes
- Convenient Stand Included
This balldriver tool kit, available in both imperial and metric sizes, offers a wide range of the most commonly used balldriver and hex key sizes and houses them in a convenient stand. The stand is precision-machined and labeled with a discrete location for each balldriver and hex key. The wide base (IB3) provides stability and easy placement anywhere in the lab. See the Tool Dimensions tab above for the lengths of the included balldrivers and hex keys.
Imperial balldrivers have a yellow handle, while metric balldrivers have a red handle. All balldrivers have a high-strength steel alloy blade.
Zoom| BT17/M Metric Organizer Contents |
|---|
| Balldrivers |
| 1.5 mm (BD-1.5M) |
| 2 mm (BD-2M) |
| 2.5 mm (BD-2.5M) |
| 3 mm (BD-3M) |
| 4 mm (BD-4M) |
| 5 mm (BD-5M) |
| BT17 Imperial Organizer Contents |
|---|
| Balldrivers |
| 0.050" (BD-050) |
| 1/16" (BD-1/16) |
| 5/64" (BD-5/64) |
| 3/32" (BD-3/32) |
| 7/64" (BD-7/64) |
| 1/8" (BD-1/8) |
| 9/64" (BD-9/64) |
| 5/32" (BD-5/32) |
| 3/16" (BD-3/16) |
- Benchtop and Table Organizer
- Includes a Full Set of Balldrivers
- Imperial and Metric Options Available
- Stores Cleaning Supplies & Dropper Bottles (Chemicals Not Included)
- Storage and Protection of Post-Mounted Components
This benchtop and table organizer saves time and protects mounted optics by providing a temporary storage area on an optical table. Each organizer comes with imperial or metric hex balldrivers as well as two non-reactive plastic dropper bottles with acetone and methanol labels (chemicals not included). The lengths of the included balldrivers are listed in the Tool Dimensions tab above.
Zoom| TC4/M Metric Caddy Contents |
|
|---|---|
| Balldrivers | Hex Keys |
| 1.5 mm (BD-1.5M) | 1.5 mm |
| 2 mm (BD-2M) | 2 mm |
| 2.5 mm (BD-2.5M) | 2.5 mm |
| 3 mm (BD-3M) | 3 mm |
| 4 mm (BD-4M) | 4 mm |
| 5 mm (BD-5M) | 5 mm |
| TC4 Imperial Caddy Contents |
|
|---|---|
| Balldrivers | Hex Keys |
| 0.050" (BD-050) | 0.050" (HK050) |
| 1/16" (BD-1/16) | 1/16" |
| 5/64" (BD-5/64) | 5/64" (564HK) |
| 3/32" (BD-3/32) | 3/32" |
| 7/64" (BD-7/64) | 7/64" |
| 1/8" (BD-1/8) | 1/8" |
| 9/64" (BD-9/64) | 9/64" |
| 5/32" (BD-5/32) | 5/32" |
| 3/16" (BD-3/16) | 3/16" |
- Organizer Bolts Directly to Optical Table
- Includes Complete Set of Balldrivers and Hex Keys
- Imperial and Metric Options Available
The TC4(/M) Tool Caddy is a great balldriver kit organizer that offers a convenient storage area and bolts directly to an optical table. The caddy includes balldrivers and hex wrenches in the sizes listed in the table to the right. Imperial balldrivers have a yellow handle, while metric balldrivers have a red handle. All balldrivers have a high-strength steel alloy blade. The lengths of the included balldrivers and hex keys are listed in the Tool Dimensions tab above.
Zoom
- 19" Rack System Shelf
- Ø0.505" (13 mm) Holes on 1.5" (38 mm) Centers
- Made from Steel
The RK4102 is a steel shelf for the 19" Rack system sold by Thorlabs. The hole pattern makes it ideal for storing components mounted on TR Series Posts (see the image to the right).
Zoom
- 6" (152.0 mm) Diameter, 1.2" (31.0 mm) Deep Bowl with Pivoting Plastic Cowl
- Contents Retained Magnetically
- Durable Stainless Steel Construction
- Protective Rubber Cover on Magnet Prevents Marring of Mounting Surface
This magnetic storage tray is ideal for securely storing small tools, cap screws, and other fasteners. It consists of a magnet attached to the outside of a Ø6" (Ø152.0 mm), 1.2" (31.0 mm) deep bowl. The Ø3.25" (Ø82.5 mm) magnet simultaneously holds the bowl against a ferrous surface (such as an optical table or breadboard) and secures magnetic parts into the tray. A rubber cover on the magnet protects the ferrous mounting surface from being marred.
When attached to a vertical surface, as shown to the right, a plastic cowl holds non-magnetic or loose items. The cowl pivots and clips in place at the upper and lower ends of travel to prevent accidental movement.
The maximum weight supported in the vertical configuration will depend upon the surface the tray is attached to and the position of the load relative to the magnet. If the tray is attached to a table frame and the load is centered within the tray, we recommend a maximum weight of 1 kg (2.2 lbs). For loads being held by the plastic cowl, we recommend a maximum weight of 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs).
Benchtop Organizers