Beaded Fidget Loop

Here is a new fidget to occupy your hands! Once the print-in-place joints are broken loose and the pivots are all exercised, this fidget is incredibly satisfying to roll around with your fingertips. This model has 16 beads and is my OG model, great movement and pretty compact. I'm also adding three more print profiles with different sizes. The 12 bead is the most compact; it's more constrained but the challenge is fun. There is also the 20 and 24 bead models, which the movement becomes much more fluid in these larger designs. Prints great in Bambu Lab Basic PLA with a single filament change to get a eye catching two color bead. I don't recommend Silk PLA, repeatedly failed even with adjusted tolerances.

To break loose the pivots the easiest way is to grab a 4 bead section and twist it away from the rest of the model.

Repeat for all other 4 bead sections of the model, and then twist loose any remaining beads.

An optional step you can do now to really make the movement fluid and eliminate any squeaking is to lubricate the pivots. What I did is liberally dose the model with a Silicone Lubricant Spray and then wipe them down with a paper towel. The beads will roll around like butter after this. Alternatively you could research other materials to achieve lubrication with PLA, perhaps a wax or soap? Whatever suits your needs.

Happy printing!

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