Spinning top / gyro (陀螺)

thingiverse

陀螺 is an inexpensive wood toy that we grew up with and there're similar spinning tops all over the world. I can't buy one here, so I want to build one for my kids to learn. My initial build was too big/fragile, so I redesigned a smaller one(https://youtu.be/BSIfdugXvtA) and with no sound holes. Since this is a 3D printed object and the high impact to the ground will likely to break it easily, I found the duct tape is a perfect remedy for that and recommend to cover it before your first shot. Total print time is about 10+ hours with 0.24 layer height. Even though the original screw holes are designed with M6 0.8, but it fits M5 0.8 nicely due to the print tolerance. I made another one(filename with a M6 at the end) with M7 1, so that it can fit with M6 1 bolts. If you use a drill bit to clean up the holes or you have a perfect print machine, you can fit M6 0.8 or M7 1 bolts. The M6/7 bolts are better/stronger and provide more weight. The M5 spinning tip is weaker and can actually bent from the drop. To increase the spin time(more angular momentum), I use the pennies/nuts to build up the weight. It is important to make the bottom heavier, so that it will always spin on the tip. Materials: M5/6 0.8 or M6/7 1, 5x 30mm+ bolts and many nuts(I use M8 nuts for the weight) Some small screws Coins w/ diameter <= US penny 1982+ ( optional, I used 42 pennies, 30 in top cap and 12 in the base) Duct tape Hot glue Twist rope (~2m, cotton is probably better) Heat shrink tube(optional for the rope end) Introduction (in English) https://youtu.be/bV9k_Qj13x0 Basic steps (in Chinese) https://youtu.be/RgTstkFGaB4 Fun videos https://youtu.be/B02usJQlxuo (in English w/ English subtitle) https://youtu.be/NkbZWYAtvQI (in Chinese) https://youtu.be/Db4lH3BZE0Q (in Chinese) Use the coins with the same composition, i.e. after 1982 https://www.treasury.gov/about/education/pages/lincoln-cent.aspx