# Spin Top Creation & Manufacturing **URL:** \ **Category:** Spin Tops\ **Created:** [March 14, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364 "2026-03-14T23:40:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mckigley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@mckigley](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mckigley)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/1 "2026-03-14T23:40:23Z")
Hey guys, new here. For a college project I am working on creating a 3d printed spin top. I’m basing the design off of the Strummol8 Giulia, but a bit wider.i am designing it in solidworks. For anyone that has designed one, is there a “sweet spot” for center of mass compared to the tip, or is there a moment of inertia sweet spot? Currently I have most of the weight towards the outside, with the inside being a hollow cavity. The top does wobble a bit, which could be from off balance or something else. It also doesn’t spin very long, which could be due to the friction from the top being 3d printed, not sure. Will post photos when I get home. ---
**Author:** ![yoyojoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e99b99/32.png) [@yoyojoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyojoe)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/2 "2026-03-14T23:49:12Z")
Check out this site. The sweetle is an awesome 3D printed top. Also my sweetle has a bit of clay/putty on the inside to balance it out. > **[Spin Top Workshop](https://www.spintopworkshop.com/home)** > > Home ---
**Author:** ![mckigley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@mckigley](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mckigley)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 12:58am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/3 "2026-03-15T00:58:22Z")
Thanks yoyojoe, I appreciate it. I will gladly check that out and do some more research on balancing. I remember reading a post here about balancing tops. I’ll read it again. ---
**Author:** ![tonyevo52](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/tonyevo52/32/666576_2.png) [@tonyevo52](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/tonyevo52)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 1:22am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/4 "2026-03-15T01:22:15Z")
@TryCatchThrow Keith might be able to give you some help! I’ve bought a few 3d printed from him! Good luck with the project! ---
**Author:** ![mckigley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@mckigley](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mckigley)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 3:47am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/5 "2026-03-15T03:47:42Z")
Awesome! Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 11:42am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/6 "2026-03-15T11:42:21Z")
What material and hardware are you using? I haven’t really designed tops with specific centers of mass or moments of inertia before. I basically design on feeling and looks 😁 ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 11:45am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/7 "2026-03-15T11:45:27Z")
> [@mckigley](#): > > The top does wobble a bit For this I go slow and my tops are all either solid or concentric for infill. ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 11:58am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/8 "2026-03-15T11:58:46Z")
Also here’s some stuff: > [@TryCatchThrow's 3D Printed Tops](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/trycatchthrows-3d-printed-tops/422302/13): > > Loving my latest top. It’s a heavier version of my Rebel top. The interior has been tweaked and the weight bumped up to 58g. ---
**Author:** ![kevinm](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kevinm/32/697_2.png) [@kevinm](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kevinm)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 1:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/9 "2026-03-15T13:48:36Z")
There is a lot of discussion on spin top dynamics on the [itopspin.com](http://itopspin.com) forum. Fool disclosure, it is all beyond my pay grade, but you would find some good input there if you fish around. ---
**Author:** ![mckigley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@mckigley](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mckigley)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/10 "2026-03-15T15:26:22Z")
Awesome! Thank you Kevin. ---
**Author:** ![mckigley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@mckigley](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mckigley)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/11 "2026-03-15T15:27:22Z")
Right now all I have is PLA. I am using hardware from a short circuit/ electrick top upgrade kit. The current prototype I printed has a 3d printed press fit tip. I am going to make some changes and upgrades. ---
**Author:** ![mckigley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@mckigley](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mckigley)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/12 "2026-03-15T15:28:00Z")
Okay awesome, I will tweak a few things and try it out. What printer do you use? All I have right now is an ender 3 but my wife told me I could get a better one when I graduate​:joy: ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/13 "2026-03-15T15:32:36Z")
PLA has a strong tendency to break under the shearing forces a top experiences. I would got a little hot and slow to improve layer adhesion. I personally like TPU for tops but I’m planning to experiment with PETG. I mostly print for Short Circuit top. I usually hold it in place with a self threading screw. ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/14 "2026-03-15T15:33:05Z")
I have a Bambu X1C and my son has an A1 Mini. ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/15 "2026-03-15T22:48:44Z")
I’m going to try to run a clear PETG top with Short Circuit tip tonight. Will report back. ---
**Author:** ![mckigley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@mckigley](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mckigley)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 11:05pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/16 "2026-03-15T23:05:24Z")
Sounds great!! I’m excited to know how it turns out. Id like to get a nicer printer one day too. ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 12:15pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/17 "2026-03-18T12:15:02Z")
Two failures later , here is my best impression of a Giulia printed in PETG with Short Circuit tip. Note I’ve never handled a Giulia so I designed to shape and specs (coming up a little light), and I also have no idea what the inside looks like. Still some improvements to make. The fit of the tip is too tight on this material, so I need to scale up if I reprint. The material feel is rougher on the outside than I would like personally. I needed to use supports around the crown, which is not my preference. ![IMG_8906](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/4/c/7/4c737dea56a7cb9920e091ab6b02158ed3e54adb.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![mckigley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@mckigley](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mckigley)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 6:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/18 "2026-03-18T18:24:31Z")
Awesome! Looks pretty good. Did you design and model it yourself? If so, is there any infill? Mine is more of a hollow shell shape, like how my short circuit is. Thicker at the widest part, but pretty hollow inside. I wonder if that is how I should be modeling them, or if it is better with a different inside profile. I will probably try a couple prototypes before I print out of a nicer material. ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 11:44pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/19 "2026-03-18T23:44:51Z")
I did design and model myself but it’s a copy of the profile of a Giulia. The top is hollow. It’s around 5ish mm thick, but I didn’t force it to be consistently thick in the design. I usually put a sacrificial bridge in the hole for securing the tip. ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 1:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/spin-top-creation-manufacturing/442364/20 "2026-03-20T13:00:41Z")
![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/c/2/c/c2c22f8b6c8be40eb75b42883e7eed11394ca45b.jpeg) Second print. It’s ok. I prefer my TPU tops. I don’t love the texture of the material. I have improvements I’d make if I was going for another print; a little more scale up, a slightly deeper recess for the tip, but I’m not sure I’m going to print another.