SNACK Drawer
The SNACK Drawer (Sd cards, Notes, Appitizers, Cash, and Keepsakes) is a 3D-printable drawer expansion card for Framework laptops, created by community member XenoCow in August 20211. It occupies a standard expansion card slot and provides a small sliding compartment for storing small items — SD cards, paper notes, cash, mints, bandages, and other keepsakes1. The project became one of the earliest and most popular community expansion card designs, spawning multiple variants and reaching over 100 printed drawers sold by June 20242.
Variants
SNACK Drawer V1 (August 2021)
The original design, released August 26, 20211. A 3D-printed enclosure that slides into any Framework expansion card slot, containing a small drawer that opens by pulling a tab. The drawer does not connect to the USB-C port — it is purely mechanical1.
- Internal volume: ~4 cm³2
- Required lifting the laptop to open the drawer
- Sold for $3 USD (printed) or $8 USD (digital files)1
- Available in multiple PLA colors1
SNACK Drawer V2 (May 2022)
Released May 12, 2022, the V2 addressed several V1 shortcomings3:
- Eliminated flimsy tabs with a redesigned latching mechanism
- Drawer can be opened without lifting the laptop
- Reinforced ("robustified") locking lugs prevent the card from falling out of the expansion slot
- Added a "captured" variant with a slot and post mechanism that prevents the drawer from falling out completely23
- Internal volume: ~3 cm³ (slightly smaller due to redesigned walls)2
- Sold for $4.50 USD (printed) or $8 USD (digital files)2
SNACK Drawer Lite (October 2021)
A simplified, free version released October 2, 20214. Instead of a sliding drawer, it is a solid capped expansion card that users pull out entirely to access contents. Designed by community suggestion as a more durable alternative with no moving parts4.
- Free digital files (CC 4.0 license)4
- No sliding mechanism — the entire card is removed to access contents
- Sold printed for $2.50 USD + shipping4
- Internal volume: ~4 cm³2
SNACK Drawer Medium (January 2024)
A 50% larger variant that extends below the normal expansion card slots but is shorter than the laptop's rubber feet2. This extra depth allows storing larger items like nano USB drives, crackers, or the Framework screwdriver tip2.
- Internal volume: ~4.5 cm³2
- Internal dimensions (larger area): 25.25 mm × 22.33 mm × 7.15 mm2
- Supports captured variant2
- Sold for $4.75 USD (printed) or $8 USD (digital files)2
Tall SNACK Drawer (October 2021)
A double-depth variant extending below the laptop5. Because of the extra height, two drawers (right-slant and left-slant) are recommended to keep the laptop level5. This variant was briefly pulled due to locking lug reliability issues5.
Comparison
| Variant | Volume | Opens In-Place | Captured | Price (Printed) | Digital Files |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | ~4 cm³ | No (pull whole card) | No | $4.00 | Free (CC 4.0)4 |
| V2 | ~3 cm³ | Yes | Yes | $4.50 | $8.002 |
| Medium | ~4.5 cm³ | Yes | Yes | $4.75 | $8.002 |
Practical Uses
Community members have reported using SNACK Drawers for123:
- SD cards and microSD cards
- Bandages and first-aid supplies
- Folded paper notes and emergency passwords
- Cash and coins
- Mints, gum, and small candies
- Rubber bands and push pins
- Microfiber cleaning cloth
- Framework screwdriver tip
- YubiKey Nano storage
The Lite variant has also been used as blank expansion card fillers for unused slots4.
Media Coverage
The SNACK Drawer was briefly featured in a Linus Tech Tips video review of the Framework Laptop 162.
Related Projects
- Screwdriver Expansion Card — A community 3D-printed expansion card that stores the Framework screwdriver bit
- YubiKey Expansion Card Adapters — Community adapters for housing YubiKey security keys in expansion card slots
- Framework ExpansionCards — Official open-source reference designs for expansion card enclosures