Spinning top - SPINS FOR 5+ MINUTES

thingiverse

I saw a spinning top on Thingiverse that was made to enclose a coin. I realized a much more effective flywheel could be made from a large flat washer, and also that it didn't actually need to be enclosed, so this is where my tinkering led me. I experimented with a few different shapes for the bottom of it, and this is the one that spins the longest. I have repeatedly gotten it to spin for MORE THAN 5 minutes at a time, on a formica countertop. Here is a video of it spinning for almost 5 minutes: kbg1.com/Spinning-top1.m4v I used the largest flat washer I could find at Lowes (3/4") and designed this top to screw together through the hole in the washer, rather than be glued together around it. That made it much easier to experiment with different shapes, etc. The threads are M8x1.25 because they will print with no support. Typical flat washers are stamped out of plate or coil stock, I imagine, and the holes are NOT always punched in the exact center of the washer. So look for one that looks well centered. I've seen some that aren't. Also, I designed this to fit the exact diameter of the washer I found at my local Lowes. If your washers are not the same size as this upper piece requires, perhaps scale all three pieces of the top up or down a little to fit, so the threads will still work. Printing: Only the upper piece needs to be printed with support, and it is very easy to remove afterwards. After printing, put the washer over the bottom end of the upper piece, and then start the stud into the threaded hole on each piece and screw the two pieces together until they are gripping the washer snugly. You're done!