Introduction

This is the new and improved version of my finger treads fidget track. I have significantly improved the rollability of the tracks by tweaking each and every gap, and also improved a few other areas for strength and printability. The overall size is exactly the same, which is the perfect size for a handheld fidget.

Equally exciting to the model improvements are the new tread patterns! At the time of writing this there are 24 different versions of the model each with its own fun and unique tread pattern. These are pretty fun to make, so if you have a suggestion for a new tread version, let me know in the comments.

Also, be sure to let me know which version is you favorite :)

Please note, this is a somewhat difficult print - Its worth the time to make sure your build plate is clean and if you're not sure about your filament run a quick calibration for flow and for pressure advance.

When first printed each track joint may take a tiny bit of force to free up; after that the tracks should run freely with little effort. Like the previous version, removing the track can make it easier to loosen up if you are dealing with a few stubborn joints. Just flex the back a bit and carefully pop the track off. Reinstalling is a little slower, but follows basically the same process. Mix and match colors if you feel like it :)

Also if you like these, check out a couple other models that use these fidgets as treads:

Toy bulldozer	Toy Tank

Or a couple other versions of my treads:

Mini Treads	XL Treads

Read on for more details of the new version, descriptions of all of the different tread patterns, and recommendations for printing.

Version 2 Improvements

Common issues with the old version were gaps fusing together, pins breaking, and poor adhesion to the build plate. I've tried to address all of these to the extent I can.

I've gone through the whole model and rebuilt parts and tweaked gaps to arrive at a design that should print well without too much fuss. To get a perfect print, well calibrated filament is still required, but this model is much easier to get a really good print without much effort. (I will say though its still not an easy print and don't give up if you have some issues)

With good calibrations, this one rolls very nice. This gif below is basically right off the buildplate, after only 5-10 seconds to make sure all joints were loose.

The pins are now 3.4mm diameter (up from 3mm). While that's not a huge difference it is noticeable. Filaments with poor layer adhesion (primarily silk PLAs but also some matte PLAs) may continue to have trouble with pins breaking, but in my experience this does help considerably. Size comparison below:

A few other improvements have been made for printability such as the mid span support getting bigger so its less likely to get knocked loose from the buildplate. These aren't very exciting so I'll leave it at that.

Printing Recommendations

Use my print profile to get the settings that work well for me.

Beyond that, for best results:

• Run a flow calibration
• Run a Pressure advance calibration

• Make sure you have a really clean buildplate

   

The model is made to work with and 0.4mm nozzle and 0.2mm layer height. If you use a larger layer height some gaps will be fused together by the slicer.

Print in the orientation shown below:

If you are having trouble with your first print try a different filament, and please start with something simple like a plain PLA. Some specialty colors like silks mainly and some mattes lack the strength for this design to work well. Also, I strongly recommend printing In PLA; PETG tends to be hard to print things with small gaps without stringing or blobbing. Not that it's not possible, but you will probably have better luck with PLA, and no reason really to print in something more fancy.

Tread Patterns

For the full pack of different patterns download the print profile that is labeled “full pack”; At the time I'm uploading this there are 24 different patterns.

All are fun and unique patterns, but if its a little overwhelming, try just the print profile labeled “Essential Patterns”. Those are my top 6 (not including the original)

I apologize for the large file size - I may in the future separate this into different models or print profiles for better organization.

Below are all of the different tread patterns I've uploaded in the order they appear in the profile and the plate title.

(I have printed each and every one, however its easier to get uniform screenshots than photos :)…)

Original*
Wave pattern
Crisscross
Large Teeth*
Angle Teeth 2
Angle Teeth 1*
Skeletonized
Triangle Scales
Sequences Teeth
Sequences 2
Scoops*
Hedgehog
Geometric Cube Pattern
Sphere Voids*
Pocket Teeth
Spikes 1
Spikes 2
Flat Blades
Pocket Teeth 2
More Teeth
Hex Bosses*
Convex Domes
Concave Domes
Hex Pattern*

*Files marked with an asterisk are my personal favorites

Future Ideas

If you have some ideas for tread patterns you would like to see send them my way.

I also have a list of ideas I'd like to try…so inevitably more will be added either as a new pack or an update to this model.

If you'd like to see some different sizes of these that can be used with axles etc. as building blocks for toy cars etc., let me know too. I have thought about doing something along like that. That is something along the lines of the Benchy Dozer, but intended so that people can make their own unique creations.