Adding Custom SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Component Sizes

If there is a specific fastener you need but can’t find the size in the default SOLIDWORKS Toolbox, you can modify and add custom sizes.

Open SOLIDWORKS and go to Tools > Options > System Options tab > Hole Wizard/Toolbox.

Custom SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Size

Then you can click on the ‘Configure‘ button to bring up the Toolbox Settings.

Configure in System Options

Then choose ‘2. Customize Your Hardware’

Customize your Hardware

OPTIONAL: You can simply customize the existing Toolbox standards, or if you prefer you have the option of making a copy of an entire standard and rename it so you have a separate customized standard.

Copy Standard

Paste Standard

Select Hardware to Customize

Select the Standard, Type and Fastener you wish to customize.  You will need to add data to three areas: Size, Length and Thread Data.

Select hardware

Toolbox Component Size

To add a new size, select ‘Size’ and click the ‘+’ button.  Add the size required (**Note the size information listed below may not be accurate, please verify required sizes before adding**)

Add New Size

Add New Size

Toolbox Component Length

You can add as many lengths as needed.  You can have multiple instances of the same length, but different thread lengths.  The thread length must be equal or less then the overall length.  Select ‘Length’ and click the ‘+’ button to add each length.

Custom Component Length

Add new size

Toolbox Component Thread Data

In this case, there was thread data available for the 9/16 size.  Search to see if the thread data is available for your size.  If not, again you’ll need to click the ‘+’ button to add the data for your custom size.

Thread Data

Add new row

Update Database

Then you can scroll down in the list on the bottom half and find the sizes you’ve added.  You can see that I’ve added lengths of 0.5″ and 1″.  There are 3 of each size as there are options for Cosmetic, Schematic or Simplified.  These options are available in the “Thread Display” in the Standard Properties above and will apply to all sizes of this particular fastener.

Click Save to update the Toolbox database.

Save new data

Now you can select in your custom size when adding the Toolbox component to an assembly.

Add Toolbox Fastener