TCG Spinner Platform (mechanical counter)
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TCG Spinner Platform (mechanical counter)
3D
Published 2021-11-27T12:01:43+00:00
(Please read the "Printing details" section for instructions on printing and assembly)
This is a little device I made to assist with keeping track of large numbers attached to specific cards in MTG (though of course, you can use it for other card games too). Very handy if your playgroup tends to bump the table and send dice rolling.
The counter uses a simple gear system to allow it to go from 00 -> 99, with the left-digit changing automatically as the right digit is spun by the user.
Having used it a bit myself, I'd say It's very convenient for things like:
- Keeping track of Omnath, Locus of Mana's mana.
- Tracking how many plant tokens Avenger of Zendikar made, while leaving the card free to have +1/+1 counters placed on it in the usual way.
- Recording how many presents Zedruu/Blim have given out.
- Helix Pinnacle.
- Or if all else fails, just keeping track of a life total.
When designing this, it was important to me to make it as compact as possible. Be warned that accuracy is important (see Printing details section).
Nozzle size: I used a 0.6mm, but 0.4mm should be fine.
Layer height: Try to use 0.1mm. Higher layer heights can cause it to lock up.
Supports: The big-wheel is the only object which needs supports. Please try to use the following settings:
- Support vertical offset from the model should be 1 layer (0.1mm).
- The bottom of the big-wheel needs to be as smooth as possible. Use dense supports if you can.
Assembly:
0. Paint the numbers onto the two wheels. I use a "Uni-posca pen" with a coat of varnish afterwards.
1. Place the small-gear on the top-left axis, with the large hole facing up.
2. Superglue the small-gear-cap into the small-gear's axis (don't glue it to the small-gear, only the axis. It's there to hold the small-gear down).
3. Important: Put the large gear onto the other axis. The large gear has a slight ring on top of it, with a dent in one location. When placing the large gear down, make sure that that dent aligns with one of the small gear's small teeth (I've included a picture of this).
4. Place the big wheel over the big gear.
5. Place the small wheel over the big gear. You shouldn't need to glue it on (and it will make it easier to disassemble if something goes wrong).
6. Slide the cover onto the base. It may be a bit of a tight slide; this was done intentionally to prevent it accidentally dislodging.
7. And you're done! Rotating the big wheel may be a bit rough at first; you'll need to do a few full rotations to wear it in to fix that.
Troubleshooting:
"The wheel keeps locking up"
Ensure that the big-wheel and the big-gear didn't lock up, and that the underside of the big-wheel is as smooth as it can be.
"The numbers don't tick-up correctly / are misaligned"
Make sure you aligned the gears as shown in the diagram.
| Date published | 27/11/2021 |
| Dimensions | 100mm x 100mm x 12.3mm |