A few years ago, I came across a booth (I believe at a Renaissance Faire) selling the object I've dubbed a "Fidget Widget." You can fidget with it in one or both hands to achieve an effect similar to squeezing a stress ball or twirling a pen in your hand, with the additional perk of an almost hypnotic effect to watch in your hand. (You can watch a GIF of it spinning at http://gph.is/1rimn5R.) After carrying it around in my bag for several years, several friends asked me about it in the same day and inspired me to make my own version of it. I modeled it that night and learned to 3D print within the next week.
The piece consists of six identical links that snap together. The original consisted of three black and three white pieces, and I have tended to prefer the two-color alternating pattern of assembly. I have included examples of other configurations above, but I've been able to mix and match the links at will. The attached STL file is one link. (Please let me know if you attempt to print a full Fidget Widget with all six pieces already assembled in one print or if you try printing in metal, resin, or other non-FDM printers. I'd like to know how it works.)
| fidgetwidget1piece.stl | 192.5KB |
