Game Spinner

This is a customized game spinner for math and spelling games. The spinner rotates on a cup-and-cone joint between the spinner base and spinner pieces, which works really well and has proven to be pretty durable even under the abuse of kindergarteners.

The base is assembled with parts A and B. A is the main body, and B is the post that the spinner rides on. I made these separate in the event the post is damaged/crushed, it can be reprinted in a very short time and replaced without having to remake the entire base. I use my slicer to print Base A.stl with two different filament colors set to change where the pointer head begins, near the top of the print. Note, I tend to print the Base A and B files together, so the Base B part ends up having the second color at its tip -you won't see this part once the spinner is assembled.

The spinner disks themselves are also sliced to print in two colors. The first color stops at the point in which the numbers or letters begin their outline. This leaves you with contrasting color for your characters. For the sake of durability, I think this works best. These can very easily be disassembled for cleaning, and having two-tone plastic for the text and pointers will hold up better than any ink or paint markings. Likewise I usually print the Clicker Spring and Clicker Guard in contrasting colors to make the coil spring visible through the guard openings.

I've loaded several different spinners that I've made over time for my wife's classes. A complete spinner consists of:
Base A
Base B
Clicker Spring
Clicker Spring Guard
Spinner (any one of your choosing)

Base A and B are printed with support under the center point of each, where the screw will attach them. Also, Base A is printed with supports as shown for the overhanging pointer head region. I find a minimal amount of support as I’ve shown in the picture is enough to bridge the gap and make a clean overhang. I would avoid extending the support material into the outer raised ring as this acts as a stabilizing surface to prevent the spinner from wobbling. If you have support material here it may result in an uneven surface that drags on the spinner.

The Clicker Spring and Clicker Guard are printed upside down also with supports in the very center around where the screw boss is formed.

Assemble the spinner:

1. Attach Base A and B with an M8 x 1/2 inch screw (make sure the parts are cleaned so they fit flush prior to screwing them together).

2. Place the Spinner under the pointer overhang and onto the Base B post.

3. Place the Clicker Spring in its hex detent so the ball overhangs on the Spinner teeth (again, make sure interfacing areas are clean so parts sit flush).

4. Place the Clicker Guard over the Clicker Spring aligned with its hex detent. Ensure these three pieces are fitting flush together before putting them all in place. The Clicker Guard is a tight snap fit into the groove in the base. Begin by pressing them together at one edge while working towards the perimeter to the other edge. Printing in PETG at 0.15mm layer height has made this a very good fit on all the parts I’ve made. The parts should be snug and flush.

5. Insert an M6 x 1 inch screw through the top of the Clicker Guard, Clicker Spring, and into Base A. Do not over tighten, this only needs to be seated flush.