Woodturning A Toy Top
We have a toy top made by my wife’s grandfather, James McCombe. I wanted to try to remake it as it is all woodturned. It consists of a top, a handle, and a string to pull. I started by putting together a two and a half inch square piece of wood built up from two pieces of walnut and two pieces of cherry. This formed a simple checker board pattern in section. I drilled a hole for my screw chuck to hold this piece on the lathe. This became the body of the top. I turned an axel for the top that fits in the hole I drilled for the screw chuck. Next, I turned the handle out of walnut. I drilled a hole in the handle to house the string for the top and a hole for the top’s spindle. I sanded everything to a polished finish with 500 grit sandpaper. The top works great, but really no better than the original.
so they did beyblade 90 years ago? COOOOOL
i've made something like this before…only major difference was addition of a brass nail @ the end of the top
Hello good night or good morning.
I am Brazilian, and I write you from Brazil to congratulate you for the work performed and posted.
Here in Brazil, I have specialized in residential and commercial joinery designed furniture.
I like to see how your work to relax.
This type of work do you do it a lot less stressful.
Hugs.
Great job, a beautiful and functional toy. You might like to try making a whip and top, along similar lines but more basic in design however it has the advantage that with skills you can keep the top spinning indefinitely.
http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/assets/0712/0000/0134/whip_and_top_mid.jpg
Nice work , thanks for sharing this video
It would be amazing to make toys for a baby girl :(( . I wwanna do this too
i personally would have made the "top" one piece in stead of 2 but that's just me 😀
2:47 acorn
I'm glad you made the two finger grooves in the string handle, because if you didn't it really would have looked like a buttplug.
The end reminds me of inception, but it left me no doubts! Thanks frank!
Frank?..are you jewish?
Thanks for the well made video. With 9 grandkids I know what I'm going to start making for Christmas stockings this year. Good job.
great. i used to play with that when i was young. feeling nostalgy sein this video 😛
The ultimate tip on making it spin longer is to spin it once on a fine sandpaper (spin it on the sandpaper, as you would on the ground). Somehow it will get more centered and therefore spin longer.
I like spinning tops very much. Have a look at my handcrafted ones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrHtgpCYnIw
http://de.dawanda.com/shop/WUNDERHOLZ
I've been making tops as a way to get my lathe skills up. I've made 7 of various sizes. I made them with the stem in one piece. I use my fingers to spin them and the smaller ones are easier but the bug ones if you get them going spin longer (more mass). I remember as a kid having a string to throw them with. I never thought of this way though.
Ha old fashion beyblade with grip
I may have to take a crack at this. That thing looks really cool! I just got done making a few of what most of us would call a top (no string and handle), and they work pretty good but I would love to try one of this type! I will def save your video for reference!
That little girl had that, is this all I get for Christmas look on her face. Too funny.
that is super cool.
I want to join woodworking shop
The hole in the top's spindle is probably better used for just keep it all together when not in use, you could just wrap the string around when using it.
very good
hey frank! i like your video! but you´ve make it in the most difficult way possible! greetings from brazil!
I did a simpler version, handle made from beech wood (scrap 7/8" thick floor material) and for the top I got a pack of small wooden wheels from Hobby Lobby and some 3/8 oak dowel rod from Home Depot. The top spins for a minute or more each time. I put a half round brass tack (Home Depot) on the bottom of each top dowel, it gives a durable low friction surface.
My next project is to try and make a small helicopter blade to use with the small pull string handle. I'll let you know how that turns out.
That's one nice retro Beyblade you've made there! Let It Rip!
my grandpa used to make me toys like this.