Self Winding Tippe Top

thingiverse

This top is a combination of a tippe top and a self-winding top. It is larger than most tippe tops and the self winding feature allows you to spin it very fast. Be careful where you set it down, it can break things. The original design was prototyped in wood. There is a video of the top in action at: https://vimeo.com/107193608. I hold the top by the ring and give the string a few pulls, almost like a yoyo. Instructions Print the body top down with 100% infill, 2 shells, supports on, and 0.20 mm layer height. It must be printed with 95-100% infill. Combine the cap, ring and spacer in one print. Lay the ring on its flat face. Position the cap upside down. Position the spacer standing. Use the same settings as the body. Print the pin separately. Lay it down on it's side so that the grain of the plastic runs along its length. Turn off "supports" when you print the pin. Use a 1/4" drill bit to ream the hole in the body. Use a slightly larger bit to ream the holes in the ring. The cap and pin are made separately and glued together with thickened acrylic adhesive. Use paraffin or candle wax as a lubricant between the ring and the pin. The top's total height when assembled should be approximately 2.35". Thread a 13" piece of braided nylon string through the hole in the shaft and tie knots in both ends. The knot must be large enough that it will not pull through the hole. Wind the string. Hold the top by the ring using your thumb and index finger. Wind the string, hold the knot while you pull it and let it rewind, like a top. Once you have the feel of it pull the string faster and gently put the top down, don't drop it.