1 part art. 1 part engineering. All fun. A toy top that spins well, looks great, and is easy to print!
The stem is delicate. To survive rough play, I strongly recommend you use rugged filament. Read “Playing with Your Top” to learn how to get the best spin without breaking the top.
I have included my PrusaSlicer project file (3MF) and GCODE for a Prusa MK3S+ printer. Yes, they are set for PLA. That's all I have and, hey, I'm gentle. I rarely break tops.
I've included an STL of the top as a single piece just in case you want to print it that way or cut it at a different point.
Print Settings
- Arrange the two halves of the top so the widest part touches the build plate and the pointy parts face up.
- Perimeters: 2+
- Infill: 100% Concentric
- Print external Perimeters first
- Layer Height: 0.1mm
- IMPORTANT – Slow Down if Layer Print Time is Below: 1 Second (default in PrusaSlicer is 10 seconds)
Changing the slow down speed (Filaments – Cooling - Slow Down if Layer Print Time is Below) is there to make sure the tip and the stem print cleanly. If you print either too slow, they don't cool properly.
If you have bed adhesion issues, add a brim or supports. I didn't need either. Assembling Your Top
Just add a few drops of superglue to one half, line up the patterns on the two halves, and press them together. Use the index fingers and thumbs of both hands to hold the ring at 4 points to align the halves in the X-Y plane.
If you line up the halves well and the handle still appears to wobble as it spins, look at the tip. Tops spin best if the tip is a sharp, even point. If there's any irregularity, just take a hobby knife and shave the tip. Do a little, test spin it, then do a little more.
Playing with Your Top
- Hold it near the top of the stem.
- Place the tip of the top ON THE TABLETOP.
- Give the top a GENTLE spin WHILE IT IS STILL IN CONTACT WITH THE TABLE. Sample Video
DO NOT SPIN THE TOP IN THE AIR AND DROP IN ONTO THE TABLE. This will not make it more stable. It will make it more BROKEN. To make it spin smoothly, be gentle, not wild.