Recipe card divider
Keep everyday and seasonal recipe groups apart, with a removable partition for occasional oversized recipe wallets. All files are free, including your customized plan.
Keep everyday and seasonal recipe groups apart, with a removable partition for occasional oversized recipe wallets.
A grooved partition gives repeatable two-group storage and can be removed before loading a wider flat wallet. It is not an adjustable index-card mechanism.
For A cook browsing a growing collection of sleeved recipe cards. Default clear opening: 177 mm × 206 mm × 113 mm.
Adjust dimensions and stock ↓Measure before you start
- Measure the largest sleeve and tab together in the intended browsing orientation.
- Measure the depth of a typical card group and test whether the front card can be lifted.
Tools and access
- A saw and guide for straight cuts
- A square, measuring rule and caliper
- A router with a guide and depth control for the divider grooves
- Clamps and an offcut for a groove-fit trial
Using this organizer
- File cards into everyday and seasonal groups with readable tabs.
- Take the chosen card out before cooking and keep the box dry.
- For a large wallet, empty the box, lift the divider out, and return it after the wallet is removed.
What a useful result needs to do
- A tabbed card can be selected without bending it against the rim.
- Both regular groups remain separate when the divider is installed.
- The divider can be removed and returned by hand after the finish has cured.
If the fit is wrong
- If tabs hide below the rim, lower the planned wall height while retaining a valid groove geometry.
- If a finished groove binds, check for finish buildup and remake the trial fit before altering the actual divider.
Your parts
| Part | Cut length | Cut width | Thickness | Qty | Grain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 390 mm | 125 mm | 12 mm | 2 | Along length | |
| 206 mm | 125 mm | 12 mm | 2 | Along length | |
| 366 mm | 206 mm | 12 mm | 1 | Unrestricted | |
| 213.7 mm | 113 mm | 12 mm | 1 | Along length |
Item allowance: Sleeved recipe-card groups stand in short rows; include tabs in the measured height — 160 × 110 mm, plus 10 mm of handling space per axis.
A feasible cutting layout
Numbered cuts span their parent region. Coordinates use the sheet's top-left origin. Trim all four edges of each sheet you use first. Keep unused sheets whole. This layout does not claim the lowest possible material use.
Compare your stock choices
Try this same inventory with offcuts first and standard sheets first. Each result is a feasible estimate; the solver may miss a better layout.
Sheet S1.1
Cut sequence
| Cut | Parent region | Direction | Coordinate (mm) | First child | Second child |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | N1 | horizontal | 130 | N2 | N3 |
| C2 | N2 | vertical | 395 | N4 | N5 |
| C3 | N5 | vertical | 788 | N6 | N7 |
| C4 | N3 | horizontal | 339 | N8 | N9 |
| C5 | N8 | vertical | 371 | N10 | N11 |
| C6 | N7 | horizontal | 118 | N12 | N13 |
| C7 | N12 | vertical | 1004.7 | N14 | N15 |
| C8 | N11 | horizontal | 258 | N16 | N17 |
| C9 | N16 | vertical | 580 | N18 | N19 |
| C10 | N19 | vertical | 789 | N20 | N21 |
Connections and machining
Coordinates start at the bottom-left of each face shown in the machining drawing. x follows the blank length; y follows its width. Depth runs through the sheet thickness.
| Operation / pieces | Cut on face | x / y (mm) | Length × width (mm) | Depth (mm) | Opening | Tool / sequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 · F1, F2 | Open groove · inside | 188.85 / 0 | 12.3 × 125 | 4 | top + bottom edge | router · 6 mm · 1 |
Put it together
1. Measure and mark
Measure 12 mm main plywood. Mark every part and its grain direction; recalculate before cutting if either thickness changes. Include the full card sleeve and tab envelope, and trial the groove on matching scrap.
Parts: F, L, P, D · Start here2. Cut and label the blanks
Follow the rectangular cutting map and label every instance. Machine the separate notches or grooves only after the blanks are cut. Follow the tool manufacturer’s setup and workholding instructions.
Parts: F, L, P, D · After measure3. Route the open guide grooves
Before assembly, route each marked F inside face through its full 125 mm height, open at both blank edges. Groove width is 12.3 mm and depth is 4 mm. The 6 mm cutter requires multiple passes across the width. Full-height grooves avoid a rounded stopped end under the divider. Match both F instances and keep their top entrances open.
Parts: F · After cut4. Dry-fit the case
Check the 390 × 230 mm footprint, square corners and centered inset base. Base clearance is 0 mm per edge; confirm the selected adhesive can bridge that gap.
Parts: F, L, P, D · After machine5. Assemble the base and walls
Bond the base and wall contact faces, keeping the base underside flush with the wall bottoms. Clamp square and follow the adhesive cure instructions.
Parts: F, L, P · After dry-fit6. Insert and remove the dividers
After the case cures, lower each divider vertically into its matched top-open grooves until its bottom rests on the base. Test removal and insertion; keep all sliding faces free of glue.
Parts: D, F, P · After glue, machine7. Cure, finish and check the fit
Follow the adhesive cure instructions. Smooth edges, test the intended objects and apply a compatible finish without filling the clearances. Fit four felt pads. Use only for light desktop items; no load rating is provided. Keep the divider removable and put only clean, dry card sleeves back into storage.
Parts: F, L, P, D · After insert-dividers
Materials and supplies
- Uses 1 standard sheet(s) and 0 existing offcut(s). Check your inventory before buying.
- S1: 1 of 1 used · 1200 × 600 × 12 mm plywood (standard sheet).
- Four self-adhesive felt pads.
- Adhesive suitable for the selected plywood. Use the actual bond faces and the adhesive label; keep sliding and removable joints free of glue.
- Compatible finish and abrasive. Keep joint clearances open after finishing.
Take the complete plan
Parts, stock, cutting sequence and machining CSVs, connection and assembly diagrams, a printable plan and editable JSON. No sign-up.
For PDF, open the print page and choose Save as PDF in your browser. Use A4 or Letter.
For light desktop storage. Geometry checked; physical assembly and durability untested. Follow your tool, sheet and adhesive instructions. Adhesive quantity and curing time depend on the product you use.