Project by Dave Rutan | posted 12-10-2015 02:22 AM | 1282 views | 1 time favorited | 8 comments | ![]() |
![]() |
I wanted to make some sort of toy for my nephew, (he’s the son of my wife’s nephew to be exact). I remembered a somewhat humorous video by Steve Ramsey where he has a hard time turning a simple top. You should check it out. I still get a laugh from it. [link]
So I glued together some oak I had, squared it up and set up my home made (sort of) lathe. It’s drill powered and runs at only one speed, but I did contrive a sort of live center.
I used my very cheap turning tools and got the wood rounded to a cylinder, then down to a spindle with a pointed head. I used an open end wrench to gauge the spindle to 3/8 in. A few times the drive spur jumped, but I reset it and kept going. I was lucky to get only a few small chip outs.
I sanded most of the top while on the lathe leaving only part of the head once I cut it from the lathe.
I made the handle from another piece of oak, sort of shaping freehand with the band saw and belt sander. I used a piece of 3/8 in dowel as the pull handle on a piece of string which is about 14 inches long. I used a piece of black string, but I think orange would also work. It’s finished with spray lacquer.
I’ve gotten the top to spin about 45 seconds while ‘testing’ it for our nephew. It wobbles a little bit, but still works well. My daughter tried it and the top actually bounced down the steps to our basement and kept spinning the whole time.
More pictures here: [link]
[Fun Fact] The Esperanto word for this kind of top is turbo.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
8 comments so far
Ivan
home | projects | blog
16513 posts in 3834 days
#1 posted 12-10-2015 05:00 AM
Wooden gyroscope is always fun game.
-- Ivan, Croatia, Wooddicted
Dave Rutan
home | projects | blog
2008 posts in 3155 days
#2 posted 12-10-2015 11:09 AM
Hours of fun for any child!
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
woodshaver Tony C
home | projects | blog
7812 posts in 4319 days
#3 posted 12-10-2015 02:18 PM
Well done and nice work on your improvised lathe.
I know how the little ones love playing with these toy top’s. I made a few for our granddaughters and they love them. I posted them in my projects page here on LJ’s. if you care to take a peek.
-- St Augustine FL, Experience is the sum of our mistakes!
WoodNSawdust
home | projects | blog
1417 posts in 2143 days
#4 posted 12-10-2015 03:29 PM
Nice looking top. I hope your nephew appreciates it.
-- "I love it when a plan comes together" John "Hannibal" Smith
Dave Rutan
home | projects | blog
2008 posts in 3155 days
#5 posted 12-10-2015 05:06 PM
I like the design of your handle. I wish I’d have thought of it. There’s always next time!
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
Dave Rutan
home | projects | blog
2008 posts in 3155 days
#6 posted 12-10-2015 05:07 PM
I’m sure it will be enjoyed.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
helluvawreck
home | projects | blog
32122 posts in 3833 days
#7 posted 12-10-2015 05:37 PM
Dave, this turned out nicely and I’m sure the kids will love them.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
Dave Rutan
home | projects | blog
2008 posts in 3155 days
#8 posted 12-10-2015 06:47 PM
I suppose he could share it with friends.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
Have your say...