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Heavy item for use in fidget spinner.

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Chris12311/11/2017 11:45:36
123 forum posts

Morning, I have laser cut some fidget spinners for the kids.

I have designed slots in the area furthest from the central bearing to add weights. The original plan was to use plasticine in the slots, but I tried blu-tac (which I believe has a similar mass) but this wasn't really enough weight.

Lead or small fishing weights are out of the question as it is for kids.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Bob Rodgerson11/11/2017 11:57:20
612 forum posts
174 photos

Depleted Uranium.

Hopper11/11/2017 12:02:24
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7881 forum posts
397 photos

Steel?

Speedy Builder511/11/2017 12:03:59
2878 forum posts
248 photos

Lead + Children = Not a good mix.

Clive Washington11/11/2017 12:10:44
26 forum posts

Fishermen use (or are supposed to use) lead-free shot - I believe it's tungsten.

Chris12311/11/2017 12:15:14
123 forum posts

I have some thanks, but the risk of them coming apart and kids with small metal weights etc.

Mick B111/11/2017 12:16:09
2444 forum posts
139 photos

I made one with big brass capnuts on the end of 3 arms. It's *quite* good - will spin for over 90 secs from a finger-flick, but it's still beaten by one of the grandkids' cheapest and dullest-looking examples, which will do nearly 3 minutes...

You have to be surprisingly cute to get the weights in balance with each other.

Clive Washington11/11/2017 12:19:08
26 forum posts

So you really want something that can be moulded into the shape of your slots, sets solid, but is very dense.

An epoxy putty like Milliput comes to mind. I'm guessing it's about twice as dense as Blutack. There are metal-filled versions that are intended for matching metallic objects, they may be denser but I have no experience of them.

thaiguzzi11/11/2017 12:56:56
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704 forum posts
131 photos
Posted by Mick B1 on 11/11/2017 12:16:09:

I made one with big brass capnuts on the end of 3 arms. It's *quite* good - will spin for over 90 secs from a finger-flick, but it's still beaten by one of the grandkids' cheapest and dullest-looking examples, which will do nearly 3 minutes...

You have to be surprisingly cute to get the weights in balance with each other.

Ditto. Made a lovely looking alloy one for my lad, brass inserts for weights etc. Would not spin anywhere near as long as a cheapo plastic 40 pence one from the local shop...

Another mistake was buying a quality bearing. After checking everything out, you want the cheapest, sloppiest brg you can get.

Roderick Jenkins11/11/2017 13:02:27
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2376 forum posts
800 photos

Tungsten putty? **LINK**

Rod

JasonB11/11/2017 13:13:52
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25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles

Bronze filings and araldite mixed will be reasonably weighty and stay put, any other epoxy would do.

Mike11/11/2017 13:49:47
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713 forum posts
6 photos

Lead-free fishing weights are also made of tin or bismuth. If tungsten putty is the way to go, there's a good selection on Amazon, and it's not too expensive.

Mick B111/11/2017 17:31:17
2444 forum posts
139 photos

I thought about trying to improve mine, but it's clear from the grandkids that fidget spinners are so last-term... :D

colin hawes11/11/2017 18:49:59
570 forum posts
18 photos

New pound coins will make them happy. Colin

Jeff Dayman11/11/2017 20:35:41
2356 forum posts
47 photos

Well if we're talking unlimited funds, why not use solid gold for the weights?....quite heavy.....

I'll get my hat now....

richardandtracy11/11/2017 20:58:12
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943 forum posts
10 photos
Posted by Speedy Builder5 on 11/11/2017 12:03:59:

Lead + Children = Not a good mix.

Ohh, I don't know. Depends how irritating they are. Best option for really irritating kids is lead shot in a sock, and a good space to swing...

Regards

Richard.

Neil Wyatt11/11/2017 23:15:53
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19226 forum posts
749 photos
86 articles

Too late now, but if you are laser cutting the shape (presumably from steel?) why does it need any weights adding?

Fidget spinners are a really good source of cheap (as is rattling good...) ball races, one small one and three 608s for £1

duncan webster12/11/2017 01:01:54
5307 forum posts
83 photos
Posted by richardandtracy on 11/11/2017 20:58:12:
Posted by Speedy Builder5 on 11/11/2017 12:03:59:

Lead + Children = Not a good mix.

Ohh, I don't know. Depends how irritating they are. Best option for really irritating kids is lead shot in a sock, and a good space to swing...

Regards

Richard.

Friend of mine reckoned that the way to stop cats using his garden as a toilet was to fix a bit of lead behind their ears. I must be a bit slow, so I asked him how he did it. 'With an airgun'. I wouldn't relate this story if he hadn't passed on, the RSPCA wouldn't like it. Can't say I'm all that impressed.

Mike Poole12/11/2017 09:02:42
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3676 forum posts
82 photos

Five lace holes is good if you get near enough. The target is well marked.

Mike

Edited By Mike Poole on 12/11/2017 09:04:53

Ian S C12/11/2017 09:32:45
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7468 forum posts
230 photos

Some of the Fidgits here have 4 bearings of 8 mm bore, and cost $NZ 0.50 . The bearings look similar to skateboard/roller skate bearings.

Ian S C

Edited By Ian S C on 12/11/2017 09:57:39

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