Colored Pencil Carousel

thingiverse

This is a spinning colored pencil carousel designed to hold up to 72 pencils. A basket for a sharpener and eraser are also included, as well as a handle for easy carrying. The base of this device features sixteen 9.5mm (3/8") bearing balls that allow it to spin freely. The design for this carousel was inspired by Corbantek's Multiple Ring Fancy Pencil Holder, which itself was derived from Net_id's Customizable fancy pencil holder. This creative piece could serve as a unique centerpiece on a dining table. You can view its functionality in action on YouTube. Note that the version showcased in the video has a platform that is slightly too narrow, but the image featuring the black and green platform (utilizing a mid-print color change) accurately represents the most recent design. UPDATE: This spinning carousel appears to encourage kids to put away their pencils after use! In my household, my children frequently color, and since acquiring this device, I have noticed that they tend to place their pencils back in it after each use. It has become a fun place for them to store their pencils, leading to fewer pencils being left scattered about. UPDATE 2: When my kids accidentally dropped the carousel onto a tile floor, the bottom cap broke off. Fortunately, this part is relatively small and easily replaceable. After reprinting the carousel, it was back in perfect working condition within just five minutes. This incident only served as another pleasant surprise with this product! Printer Settings: * Printer Brand: RepRap * Printer Model: Original Prusa i3 * Rafts: No * Supports: No * Resolution: 0.2mm * Infill Percentage: 25% Print Notes: I utilized a 0.8mm nozzle to expedite the printing process, which took approximately half the time required for a 0.4mm nozzle. The carousel was printed using PLA material, but any other suitable material should also work. If anyone is interested in printing this design on a smaller print bed, I have thought of a method to cut it down into manageable pieces. Please leave a comment with your desired print bed size if you are interested. Post-Printing Materials Needed: * 1 of each printed part * 6 M3 x 12mm screws * 6 M3 washers * 6 M3 nuts * 2 M5 screws, at least 20mm long (longer is acceptable) * 2 M5 nuts * 16 9.5mm (3/8") bearing balls - the same size used in Marblevator and Marble Machine 3 - available on Amazon If your M3 screws are too long, you will need to either trim them or add extra washers to the floater to prevent damage to your table. Build Steps: 1. Remove the thin layers from the six M3 holes in the platform using a 1/8" or 3mm drill. These thin layers serve as support material. 2. Place the 6 M3 nuts into their respective traps at the bottom of the platform and secure them temporarily with masking tape (or similar). 3. Position the platform on a table, then place the base in the center of it. 4. Insert the bearing balls into the circular channel in the base. 5. Place the floater over the base so that the floater and base securely hold the balls loosely in the channel. 6. Screw the floater and platform together (with the base and balls trapped between them), remembering to use M3 washers on top to prevent damage to the plastic. Once connected, the platform should spin freely when placed on a table and the balls should be sealed inside. 7. Insert an M5 nut into one end of the shaft and place that same end into the base. Then, secure the cap and shaft with an M5 screw. 8. Place the other M5 nut into the other end of the shaft, followed by the basket. Add the egg-shaped top cap and secure it with the remaining M5 screw. 9. Add pencils to the carousel and post a picture for others to see!