PSI self-winding tops - walnut, maple and (I think) lyptus segmented.
I am guessing that a string is pulled in the top part and then the whole top part is extracted from the bottom part to allow it to spin on its own.
Actually - the tops feature is that it is 'self-winding'. It works like this:
I've made four or five of these now, and these are the first that have run really well - because I have more mass in the top body. One thing that will slow the top down with a smaller body is if centrifugal force begins to unwind the string - you can hear the string whistling in the air and it will slow down quite quickly. I don't know why, but this seems to be less of a problem as well with the larger body.
- You hold the ring with one hand and pull the string as hard as you can with the other- the more mass there is in the top body the slower it will accelerate.
- When the string is pulled all the way out, you let go of it (or let it slip out of your fingers) and it winds back around the stem in the opposite direction
- At this point you are holding a spinning top by the ring.
- Now you let go of the the ring, and the ring quickly accelerates up to the speed that the top is turning.
Probably more than you wanted to know....
Okay - thanks to William's encouragement I have a video on YouTube - see if this link works ok....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSIok7z55GA
When I do tops, I use a block about 6cm square about 13cm long. Make the bottom half, a nice round Top shape, with an Upholstery stud in the base tip. Then reduce the top half to a parallel spindle about 2cm diameter. Now take a second piece, say 15 cm long, and about 5cm square, and turn to round, with half shaped as a small wood chisel handle. the other half, needs two flat faces, with a hole drilled through to accomodate the upper top section. All that remains to complete this project, is to put a hole through the top shaft, for a suitable cord, to pass through and be wound around the spindle, with a pull toggle in the open cord end. Clear as mud? I will get one finished, for you if in doubt! dontheturnerThose are real nice.
Excellent segmentation and turning and finish.
I have always wondered how that type of top works. I have made hundreds of spin tops that you just twist between thumb and a finger but never one of the style you have shown.
I am guessing that a string is pulled in the top part and then the whole top part is extracted from the bottom part to allow it to spin on its own.
Am I correct in assuming this?
If not could you please describe in as much detail as possible how it works..
Sure would like to see a video of one showing how it is put into motion . Checked utube but came up dry for that particular type of top .
Hill topper, That particular style of top, was called a @@Gyroscope'' when I was a boy!Okay - thanks to William's encouragement I have a video on YouTube - see if this link works ok....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSIok7z55GA
When I do tops, I use a block about 6cm square about 13cm long. Make the bottom half, a nice round Top shape, with an Upholstery stud in the base tip. Then reduce the top half to a parallel spindle about 2cm diameter. Now take a second piece, say 15 cm long, and about 5cm square, and turn to round, with half shaped as a small wood chisel handle. the other half, needs two flat faces, with a hole drilled through to accomodate the upper top section. All that remains to complete this project, is to put a hole through the top shaft, for a suitable cord, to pass through and be wound around the spindle, with a pull toggle in the open cord end. Clear as mud? I will get one finished, for you if in doubt! dontheturner
When I do tops, I use a block about 2-3/8 inch square about 5 inches long. Make the bottom half, a nice round Top shape, with an Upholstery stud in the base tip. Then reduce the top half to a parallel spindle about 3/4 inch diameter. Now take a second piece, say 6 inches long, and about 2 inches square, and turn to round, with half shaped as a small wood chisel handle. the other half, needs two flat faces, with a hole drilled through to accomodate the upper top section. All that remains to complete this project, is to put a hole through the top shaft, for a suitable cord, to pass through and be wound around the spindle, with a pull toggle in the open cord end. Clear as mud? I will get one finished, for you if in doubt! dontheturner
See how this translates...
Hilltopper, I had to TRANSLATE my dimensions to type that for you! I am 79 years of age, and cannot easily change things to metric , but I did, 'cos I thought everyone bar me, had done with imperial! dontheturner
What is really amusing to see now that my company has gone "metric" is to see a print that calls out a hole that is specified to be 12.7 MM in diameter, 19.05 MM from the edge of the material (1/2" diameter 3/4" from the edge).
When I first started turning, I saw the kits for these throw tops in the PSI catalog... I bought 5 kits and made these two tops... they're rough and not well done as I was just starting turning, but they work great....... I still have a box full that belonged to my dad and some he bought me when I was in school. We played battling tops with these in my early years in school 3 & 4 grade...
I am amazed that anyone, was buying kits, for tops! - never were an option in the UK -
Design, and make them for yourself, out of wood offcuts! Here was my original sample- which I thought had long since been lost,
Particularly since moving around the world 12,000 miles, as I have - But found it yesterday!
Later ones, I created were much bigger, and fatter.
So perhaps Hilltopper, will notice, too
Happy new Year, to All
dontheturner.