Spinning Top, made for casting (2 of 2)

thingiverse

<h3>Background</h3> This is one of several spinning top designs I've created, born out of my passion for crafting unique items for my D&D sessions. After making sand cast dice, I began searching for other projects to cast, leading me to design this spinner with generous draft angles and even thickness in mind. <h3>Materials Needed</h3> <ul> <li>Spinner lower half</li> <li>Spinner upper half</li> <li>Epoxy or other kind of glue</li> <li>4 mm ball bearing ball (preferably ceramic, Si3N4 works great)</li> <li>Tin (I get my tin from local second-hand stores, just melt down a tin cup, candlestick, or whatever I can find)</li> <li>Melting pot</li> <li>Sand for casting</li> <li>Casting frame</li> <li>Talker powder</li> <li>Knife</li> <li>Drinking straw or other long, thin, straight object</li> <li>(Optional) Spinner cover</li> <li>(Optional) Spray paint</li> <li>Fine grit sandpaper</li> <li>Buffing pad (optional)</li> </ul> <h3>Instructions</h3> <ol> <li>Print the spinner halves and ball bearing.</li> <li>Melt the tin in a melting pot, then pour it into the casting frame to create a mold.</li> <li>Pour the molten metal into the mold and let it cool.</li> <li>Remove the spinner from the mold and sand down any rough edges.</li> <li>If desired, paint the spinner using primer and acrylic paint. Mask off any areas you don't want painted.</li> <li>Glue the spinner halves together using two-component epoxy adhesive, positioning them upright to set.</li> <li>File the outer perimeter of the disc with a coarse file or sandpaper, working in a direction parallel to the axis of the spinner.</li> <li>Balance the spinner by removing material from the rim and testing its spin. Repeat this process until you achieve a smooth spin.</li> <li Buff the spinner using a buffing pad for a high-gloss finish (optional).</li> </ol> <h3>Closing words</h3> If you've successfully completed this project, congratulations! You've opened yourself up to a whole new world of making. 3D printing and casting go hand-in-hand, and with practice, you can create even more intricate designs using other techniques. Check out Veg Oil Guy on YouTube for inspiration and post your finished spinner in the comments below. I'd love to see it!