Finger Treads Fidget Track - Print In Place by MottN.

MottN.

Toys & Games>Other Toys & Games

Print Profile(11)

All

X1 Carbon

P1S

P1P

X1E

A1 mini

Updated model

Designer

1.7 h

1 plate

4.6(858)

Print by object, 5 on plate

Designer

8.3 h

1 plate

3.7(24)

*UPDATED V3* A1 Mini & X1C Optimized - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 12% Gyroid

1.9 h

1 plate

4.5(149)

OPTIMIZED - FINGER TREADS

2 h

1 plate

4.3(33)

Click to see more

Boost

1523

2769

1181

9.4 k

8.1 k

Released

Description

Update 2023_11_15: added links to finger tracks XL for anyone struggling to get the print to work.
Update 2023_11_13: Updated files to chamfer some additional corners on the tread to feel nicer.
Update 2023_11_10: Updated models and print profile. Model is optimized to print better and the track will be much more reliably free running.

Everyone needs some tracks to drive around with their fingers!

This is a very satisfying and fun fidget, and also my first print in place model :)

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.

To remove track:

If it continues to be difficult to run, or has a sticky spot, you may have to remove the track to completely free up.

This also makes for an easy multi-color model; print in two colors and swap tracks! (Don't risk this if your material doesn't have good layer adhesion like some matte or silk PLAs, you will break the track pegs.)

To remove the track, hold with the connected side of the track body down, and with your fingers apply pressure on the wheel hubs to bend slightly inwards. This should provide enough clearance that the track can easily be removed.

Replacing the track is slightly more difficult but follow the same basic strategy of flexing the track body.

Printing

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.

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.

Print in the orientation shown below or as in the print profile.

If you want to print several different colors, you can fit 5 on the build plate in print by object mode. Then just print overnight or come back in ~10 hrs. I've uploaded this profile as well.

Related cool stuff!

If you are having trouble with durability of the pins or tracks, or just not being able to get things to free up, check out the Finger Treads XL model. It has bigger pins and is a little more forgiving because of its larger size. It's big enough its not quite as good of a fidget, but still a very satisfying print in place model and fun to play with.

Get it here: https://makerworld.com/en/models/65624#profileId-68957

Size comparison below - XL version top.

If you have printed a bunch of these and need something to do with them, check out the Benchy-Dozer!

https://makerworld.com/en/models/85433#profileId-91329

fidget

print in place

tracks

Comment & Rating (1181)

@Bloodybooger

Print Profile

Updated model

They were a hit at a church fundraiser I donated to.

@user_13730126

I printed wrong sizes for this. which one is for the the boat?

The designer has replied

@MottN.

this model is the one that will work with the boar

@user_13730126

Replying to @MottN. :

sorry. which one is it? I’m printed first one is bigger than this model.

@MottN.

I have a different model that is “xl” - that one is too big. this model is the one that works with the boat

@HDZ3DWORKS

Print Profile

Updated model

Worked nicely. For anyone wondering about how tight the track is the trick is to squeeze the track slightly and rotate it around the axles a few times and it breaks away and moves nice and easy afterwards.

The designer has replied

@MottN.

good tip!

@The_Slerninator

THANK YOU for this comment 😅 I tried so long to get this thing moving

(Edited)

@user_2009868327

I’ve adjusted so many settings, can’t get this one to stay stuck to the bed.

The designer has replied

@MottN.

Lame, sorry you're having trouble with it :( I assume you've tried cleaning your build plate really good with soap...? You can always print on a raft if the slowing things down and cleaning don't work. Also there is the XL version that has larger pieces that might work better.

@user_2009868327

Replying to @MottN. :

yeah ive tried cleaning the build plate really well, and ive even tried the larger version, but i still run into the nozzle breaking the pieces off. ive really dialed down extrusion too but that didn't make a difference, i still hear a "pop" and walk over to see pieces popping off the plate.

@brengien

I had the same exact issue with the tiny bits being able to stick to the print bed. Here's the two things that I have done to solve this: 1) I personally scaled this model to 135% just to make the tiny details that much easier to stick. Although I can understand if you don't want to scale this up just to make it work so... 2) I did a full wipedown of my print surface with just my shirt to be honest and set the first layer settings to Initial layer 30mm/s and Initial layer infill to 100 - 95mm/s. If those options don't work then try using the Generic PLA (or whatever material you're using) filament profile because, as I've done and noticed before, changing too many settings can just make it really hard to troubleshoot the exact cause so setting it to the default can simplify things further. I also have read the maker's response and he also has a point as well. If you are still having issues with this model, I can provide more advice because I would love for another member of this community to have a great time with printing and not be frustrated with silly problems. Anyways, happy printing!

@ColemanDesigns

turned out good with PETG and the standard settings! Nice design! 👍

@denisganc

Print Profile

Updated model

Ich war fasziniert das es so gut funktioniert hat und alles leicht beweglich war.

@user_13730126

which size is it?

@denisganc

Replying to @user_13730126 :

unchanged as in profile

@brogrene

Accidentally printed upside down from suggested. But it still works!

(Edited)

@hotleadsingergu

Print Profile

Updated model

I love messing with this thing, and it works great. I think the model can be expanded about 5-7mm in length so the chain would be more tight, but otherwise it’s great.

The designer has replied

@MottN.

Agree, would be nice if the chain was tighter. The slack is from the clearances when the part is printed though so making longer would only help if the parts were printed separately....which I suppose would be possible but not as cool of a print. I would have to make some sort of tensioning mechanism to lengthen the whole thing a bit or something.