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Comment by blhack | Hacker News Reader

I HIGHLY recommend that anybody who has family or friends who are interested in these things (kids i mean) just take a few minutes and build one. They're super cheap, and super easy.

Go to your friendly local makerspace if you don't have the tools to do it yourself.

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Unless you're going to enjoy building one, and have bearings and parts lying around, then you're probably much better off just buying one. Plastic ones are like $5, aluminium (better, don't break) are < $10. They'll probably be much better than anything most people can realistically make - better balanced, for sure (again, unless you're going to enjoy making one - not trying to shit on anyones DIY fun).

Do you have instructions for this that you've used with success?

Step 1: Drill a hole in the centre-of-mass of any object/material.

Step 2: Insert a bearing of the correct size, aiming for an interference-fit. If the hole was too big, apply glue.

Step 1: Build a fidget spinner

Step 0: create the universe

I used the instructions and 3D model from here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1802260

and built a couple. My first 3D printer project experience. It was fun for me and the kids. Note that schools have started to ask kids not bring them to school as they don't really help with fidgeting and are mostly used as toys.

I just searched for a vector if the shape, then cut it on a laser cutter.

If you don't have one, you could do the same and instead print it off and use it as a stencil to cut some wood, cardboard, etc.

I've made a few for kids at my school on our 3D printer. There are models on Thingiverse.

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