Fidget Spinner

Fidget Spinners are a popular toy all around the world… this design provides the same ability to ‘fidget’ as any other ‘Fidget spinner’ however it is a one-piece-print with no metal bearings required. It should be almost ready to spin straight off the build plate!

The design features four designed in bearings. With a well sliced file printed on an accurate / precise machine the bearings should be free or take very little effort to break free straight off the build plate. As soon as the bearings have been freed add a small amount of lubricant to the moving bearing surfaces (refer images) and you’re in business… ready to give your ‘Fidget Spinner’ a good spin. Is it as good as a spinner with metal bearings… probably not but they should still spin very well and are definitely fun to fidget with!

You can spin your Fidget Spinner in several ways… a smooth running spinner can be spun in just one hand by holding it in the centre then flicking one of the arms from the top or bottom… or you can get a faster spin by hitting one of the arms with a finger on you other hand. As there are four bearings designed in you can also hold one of the outer bearings and flick the spinner around using them instead of the centre bearing (refer images)

TIP: Once all four bearings have been freed apply a good spray of silicon spray or other light lubricant into the grooves between the main body and bearing on both sides of the spinner. Silicone is an amazing lubricant and a simple way to make 3D printed surfaces move really well against each other.

WARNING: To achieve a great result printing this design you need a good slicing app and accurate / precise machine due to the fine clearances applied. Although the clearances used should work satisfactorily with most slicing apps and machines others may find it a challenge and fuse the parts together. Usually fused parts can be freed however the alternative is to uniformly scale the design up by 5% which will increase the internal clearances.

‘LOOSE’ Version: A ‘loose’ file version has been added for members who have issues with printing fine clearances. This increases the clearance by approx. 0.1mm. On accurate / precise machines this will be too loose and the bearings will not run as smoothly as they do with the standard clearances. However, the ‘loose’ version should allow people with less accurate / precise machine and slicing apps to still get a good result.

‘CENTRE’ Version: This version is the same as the standard version but has just a single centre bearing. The other three bearings have been removed and the areas they occupied are simple closed surfaces. However, internal cutaways have been added to build shells in these outer areas which may help add a bit of weight to help it spin better.

‘FLAT’ Version: These two files were added in addition to the above due to member requests for versions that but not have recesses in the centre of the bearings. In these versions (one with four bearings and one with just a centre bearing) the bearings are flat so no recesses to hold with your fingers. There is no other difference.

This is an easy print of a fun gadget but does require an accurate / precise slicing app and machine to achieve the necessary clearance between the moving parts so it will spin well and freely. Applying the lubricant is also essential to getting a really good spin and being able to spin it with just one hand (Metal bearings require lubrication too so this just requires the same).

Retaining the standard scale is recommended to maintain the designed in clearances and also ensure sufficient space between your thumb and forefinger for it to spin. However, you can get creative with colours by pausing your machine multiple times mid-print and changing filament… print in your favourite color or color combination to make your own unique ‘Fidget Spinner’.

Everyone needs their own ‘Fidget Spinner’ and they make great gifts as well… and with this design you don’t need to buy any expensive metal bearings to achieve a similar result. Will a spinner with metal bearings spin better or longer… probably due to the added weight but this does a pretty good job at much lower cost and it’s entirely 3D printed!

Have fun… and please post images of your ‘Fidget spinners in use for other members to see.

Please refer to the print settings / instructions and images for additional information. Higher than usual shells and infill is recommended as this adds weight which will help your spinner maintain momentum.

Note: If you like this check out the rest of my fun and practical designs.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

MakerBot

Printer:

MakerBot Replicator+

Rafts:

Doesn’t Matter

Supports:

No

Resolution:

Standard / 0.20mm

Infill:

PLA / 3 shells / 50% of more… to add weight

Notes:

Use greater than normal shells and infill to add weight which will help maintain momentum and keep your Fidget Spinner spinning.

WARNING: To achieve a great result printing this design you need a good slicing app and accurate / precise machine due to the fine clearances applied. Although the clearances used should work satisfactorily with most slicing apps and machines others may find it a challenge and fuse the parts together. Usually fused parts can be freed however the alternative is to uniformly scale the design up by 5% which will increase the internal clearances.

‘LOOSE’ Version: A ‘loose’ file version has been added for members who have issues with printing fine clearances. This increases the clearance by approx. 0.1mm. On accurate / precise machines this will be too loose and the bearings will not run as smoothly as they do with the standard clearances. However, the ‘loose’ version should allow people with less accurate / precise machine and slicing apps to still get a good result.

Post-Printing

Clean up, spray with silicone lubricant then give it a spin…

This ‘Fidget Spinner’ will print well when printed from a well sliced file on an accurate / precise machine. The printed-in bearings will need to be broken free by wriggling them or, if necessary adding a fraction more force (…but being as gentle as possible) with a craft knife to clear away any visible excess filament. With a good slicing app and well set up machine the bearings should be able to be broken free by hand (i.e. no tools required).

Once all four bearings have been freed apply a good spray of silicon spray lubricant into the grooves between the main body and bearing on both sides of the spinner. Silicone is an amazing lubricant and a simple way to make 3D printed surfaces move really well against each other.

This has been test printed numerous times to ensure the expected function can be easily achieved with minimal effort… and you don’t need to buy any metal bearings!

Credits:

muzz64