Ultimate Mini Spinning Top

A Lite Version is now available where the bearing is not required

@MrGira designed a sweet remix that you may want to check out as well

INTRODUCTION

This tiny spinning top is a real beast! You won't have any trouble getting it to spin for at least 3-4 minutes on an even surface (my record spin is 7:17) You will require an old 8 x 22 x 7 mm ball bearing – probably the most wide spread ball bearing. Just ask at your local skateshop or skatepark - I will asure you somebody has a spare lying around.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

• Dissasemble the bearing and be sure to safe the outer ring and at least 1 steel ball.
• Measure the inner diamter with the Inner Diameter Gauge
• Print the correct model (see below for clarification)
• Pop the steel ball into the hole at the tip of the top
• Push the two parts together into the outer ring with the help of the Press Fit Helper
  • Use a pair of pliers for a tight fit
  • You may want to add some glue before hand
• give it a good spin
• be impressed

My record spin is 6:46 min on the concave side of a makeup mirror - can you beat it?

⚙ PRINT SETTINGS

0.1-0.15 mm layer height
10-15 % infill
2-3 perimeters
You'll get the best looking results if you print the parts sequentially

Although these bearings are all the same on the outside, the insides may vary greatly. To get a perfect fit, I can offer you two ways:

1.) The parametric approach

• Take a measurement of the inner and outer diameter of your disassembled bearing cage (see technical drawing for reference)
  • No tools needed! Just print the “Inner Diameter Gauge”!
• Import the bottom and top .3mf files into PrusaSlicer or SuperSlicer as single object containing multiple parts (I am unsure how to do the same thing in cura…)
• Scale the size of the "inner ring" and “outer ring”  in X and Y direction only accordingly (See image below for reference)
• Print a model that perfectly fits your bearing cage

In tab to the right of the model, select the inner ring (left) or outer ring (right), respectively. Make sure to open the little lock symbol - this will allow you to scale in x- and y-direction independently of z-direction. Now scale according to your measurments. Repeat for the other part.

2.) Trust in my premade files (works for 9 out of 10 bearings)

• choose a file with the prefered clearance (see table below for help)
• Print the model
• Done!

I found that the base may shrink a bit due to deformation if the temperature of the heated bed is set too high.

If you don't have a pair of callipers at hand, try the 18.30 mm clearance first and go from there, as every filament is different (and so are the insides of most bearings…). I made a whole range of possible clearances, so you should be able to get a snug fit. Let me know if you need an even bigger version!

Check out this sweet remix, an maybe my other spinning top model to make use of the rest of the steel balls!