Build a Gear Time Quad Gear Frame

The Gear Time 3D print series was created by GoTime.us as a free-to-download 3D printable product that gave users a modular gear system which they could build, disassemble and rebuild. One of the simplest configurations was the Quad Gear Frame. This configuration involved 4 gears that were held together with 8 frame pieces and an assortment of axles and fittings.

The Quad Gear Frame is a great way to get started with Gear Time products because it offers a low level of difficulty while introducing you to all of the construction concepts used in Gear Time.

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To print it out yourself, download files here

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Step 1: Download and Print Out All of the Needed Parts

Visit the Thingiverse page for the Gear Time Quad Gear Frame and download the package and print out:

4x tgear
4x taxle
8x tframe
8x tbearing
8x tcap

If the axles did not print flat, the whole thing may not fit together correctly. Reprint any parts that do not come out correctly

Step 2: Start With the Axles

Take 4 taxles and 4 tcaps and press one cap into the notched end of each taxle. The notches should line up to form a 'T' and fit snuggly (see pictures to make sure that the parts are aligned correctly.)

Step 3: Add Bearings

Take 4 tbearings and slip one onto each taxel and slide them down the taxle until they come to rest against the tcap.

Step 4: Add Some Frame Parts

Take 2 tframes and place 2 taxles into the holes of each tframe so that the tbearings will the hole completely. The notched side of the tframe should be facing away from the tcaps.

Step 5: Complete the First Frame Level

Take 2 more tframes and place them in the taxles so that the 4 tframes from a square. the notched side of the second pair of tframes should be facing towards the other tframes. The notches should lock the tframes into right angel corners.

Step 6: Add the Gears

Take 4 tgears and slide them into the taxles so they come to rest against the tframes. The teeth of the tgear should interlock.

Step 7: Add the Rest of the Bearings

Take the last 4 tbearings and slide them onto the taxles so they come to rest against the tgear.

Step 8: Add the Second Frame Level

Take two more tframes and place them onto the tbearings so that they look like a '=' sign. The notches in the tframes should be facing away from the tgear.

Step 9: Complete the Second Frame Level

Take the last 2 tframes and place them on the taxles so that they form a square (just as in step 5.) The notched side of the second pair of tframes should be facing towards the other tframes. The notches should lock the tframes into right angels.

Step 10: Complete With Final Clips

Take the last 4 tcaps and press one cap into the open notched end of each taxle. The notches should line up to form a 'T' and fit snuggly (see pictures to make sure that the parts are aligned correctly.) These tcaps should hold the entire structure together.

Your Quad Gear Frame should spin freely. If not, check for burs in the parts that could be jamming the works.