The Mega Pinwheel

Updated July 1: I found that the connector piece for the handle to garden stake was too easy to break so I have updated the profiles and raw files with a version that will print horizontally to make it substantially stronger. I just cut a side to make a flat edge it can lay on, and it still prints, threads and works fine for it's purpose.  I only recently learned that this was a way to make threads stronger so I apologize that I didn't do this from the beginning. It seems so obvious and simple now but I had not thought of it before.  Sorry if anyone had issues. If the threads broke in place for anyone you don't have to reprint the whole thing. If you heat up an allen key and shove it into the broken threads, let it cool and then twist it out you should be able to remove just the broken bit and remake the new connector. 

This is a new pinwheel that has an optional garden stake for putting outdoors. I would recommend putting it in a raised garden bed or something a bit higher up because having it low to the ground so far hasn't resulted in much movement. It catches the breeze and spins great when picked up and held though so see what placement works for you. I printed it in ABS to withstand the outdoors but ASA and PETG would be acceptable also. PLA would be great for indoors, but will not survive direct sun over time so choose your material depending on what you plan to do with it.

There are two sizes and two “finishing” options. The smaller size has been reduced to 75% to all print on one 256mm plate while the larger pinwheel will be 2 plates since the pinwheel itself fills a plate. This design is very similar in construction to my pinwheel card but without the leaves or stand and no supports are needed. The assembly of the pinwheel is similar, so I have included the old picture for reference. The pin and handle are thicker this time and the bottom of the handle now has internal threads to combine with other parts. There is a separate threaded connector piece that can then be used to attach the handle to the garden stake, or if you just want to hold it there is a decorative ball knob to finish the bottom.

You will want to print the 2 threaded pin connectors at 100% infill for strength and use a smaller layer height for any threaded areas for accuracy (0.12mm works fine). Variable layer height for these objects could work as well since the non threaded portions can be done at larger layer heights. A first layer of 0.1 is suggested for the pinwheel as it is 0.2mm thick and 2 layers makes it stronger. There's an extra layer of reinforcement added around the holes on the pinwheel as well.