Vertical Wind Spinner
This Vertical Wind Spinner is a decorative kinetic form suitable for use in a garden designed using BlocksCAD.
Being a vertical spinner there is no requirement for a fin/tail to align it with the wind.
Size: 91(dia) x 127.5(H) mm
Weight: ~125g
Supplies
6mm (dia) stainless steel tube >= 140(L) mm
7/32 inch (5.556 mm), ball bearing
M4 plain washers - Qty 2
Right angle bracket
May prove more cost effective to buy a range of values/sizes rather than individual values/sizes unless you already have them available. Some components may also have a MOL greater than the quantity specified in the component list.
No affiliation to any of the suppliers, feel free to obtain the supplies from your preferred supplier if applicatble.
Links valid at the time of publication.
Tools
3D Printer
Needle files (round and flat)
Sanding paper
Craft knife
HandDrill
Drill bit 4mm
Drill bit 6mm
Spanners/Pliers
Silicone Grease
Vice
Rubber Gloves
Flexible Adhesive/Caulk
Know your tools and follow the recommended operational procedures and be sure to wear the appropriate PPE.
CAD Design
The wing spinner was designed using BlocksCAD
Downloads
3D Printing
All parts where sliced using Cura 5.8.1 and printed on a Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro.
Filament: PLA (Blue), but any colour as suits personal choice.
Layer Height: 0.15mm
Infill: 100%
Bed Adhesion: Skirt
No supports
All parts are correctly orientated within the files for printing directly.
From experience PLA will last several seasons subject to thickness, infill, physical and environmental (temperature/moisture), stresses.
An epoxy overcoat/varnish will aid environmental robustness sealing gaps to reduce moisture ingress.
Situated out of direct sunlight will reduce UV degradation (brittleness and colour fading).
However, you may wish to use PETg, ASA or other similar environmentally robust material as these may prove more resistant in the longer term.
Tubing
Cut a 6mm (dia), hollow stainless steel tube to a length of 140 mm and deburr the outer and inner edge of the cut with flat and round files.
The hollow tube centre eliminates wear on the spinner material due to the use of a threaded rod.
For longevity stainless steel is used as it's hardwearing and resists rusting (subject to quality), and lubrication.
Softer materials which wear quicker such as brass or aluminium could be used as an alternative.
However, its a balance between the wear on the tube and the longevity of material used to make the spinner body.
For simplicity and practicality stainless steel threaded rod and tubing was adopted.
Alternative methods.
1) If using soft materials and a fully threaded rod slip an additional smaller diameter tube over the threaded rod which will create a totally smooth surface. However, this will create a smaller gap were a light lubricant would be preferred to grease.
2) Take a solid round bar and cut a screw thread at the lower end were it attaches to the bracket.
Post Processing
The hole down the centre of the spinner although designed to be 6mm, due to printer variation may be slightly under or oversized.
If its undersized the hole will require widening using one of the following options:
1) A 6mm drill bit inserted into each end in turn using a vice to hold the drill bit as its unlikey to be long enough to fully pass through from one end.
2) Roll a length of sandpaper into a tube small enough to wrap around the threaded rod and taped at each end to fit into the hole although this could be a slow process.
Carefully, insert the 6mm tube into the hole to assess fit along its length until the tube can be inserted the full length of the spinner.
The tube should be a snug fit but with the ability to be remove.
This is best carried out using a rubber glove for grip and to prevent deforming the tube.
If undersized a flexible adhesive or non setting caulk can be added to fill the gap.
Prepare the Spinner
Defining the top as the widest part of the spinner.
If the standoff is a tight fit, fully insert the standoff into the end of the hole.
If its a relaxed fit apply a little adhesive to the standoff prior to insertion and allow the adhesive to cure before stressing.
Insert a ball bearing down the centre of the spinner.
The ball bearing creates a hard wearing pivot point on which the spinner sits.
Having determined the fit of the tube during post processing:
1) If previously undersized fully insert the tube.
2) If previously oversided add a little flexible adhesive or caulk to the tube prior to insertion.
The tube should stop at the ball bearing without the ball bearing falling out.
Support Bracket
Cut a length of M4 threaded rod (which should be much longer than the tube to take into acount the nuts, washers and the thickness of the bracket), and deburr the edge.
Fit a self locking nut on one end and then thread on a plain washer.
Utilising a right angled bracket with a 4mm hole (pre or post drilled depending on the bracket), for the rod.
If you use a bracket with a larger diameter hole than the diameter of the rod use a larger washer with a hole to suit the rod.
Orientate the bracket such that one arm is horizontal whilst the other arm points vertically down.
Feed the long free end of the rod through the hole in the horizontally orientated arm of the bracket and fit a plain washer, spring washer and a plain nut and tighten the plain nut whilst holding the self locking nut. Using suitable spanners or pliers.
Mounting
Identify a chosen position and surface.
Attach the vertically orientated arm of the bracket to a suitable flat surface with the rod pointing upwards and with sufficient clearance to allow the spinner to rotate.
Alternative mounting in the absence of a right angled bracket.
1) Using a wooden fence post or stake attach the rod to the side of the post with U staple nails.
2) Drill a hole in the top of a fence post or stake and screw or drive (surrounded by a large diameter tube with an inner diameter a little larger than the rod and shorter in length by the depth of the hole), the rod (taking care not to bend it), into the hole.
3) Drill a hole in the top of a fence post or stake and glue the rod in the hole allowing the adhesive to cure before use.
4) Cable ties can be used to mount the rod and are more effective if the stake has a round profile.
In each case allow sufficient length for the rod and surrounding clearance to allow the spinner to rotate.
Apply a little silicone grease (do not apply too much grease as it will impede rotation), to the top and length of the rod.
Mount the wind spinner on the rod.
Finally
Now all you need is a windy day to animate the spinner.