Spinning Top

[qquake]

This is a spinning top kit from Turners Warehouse. I can't for the life of me figure out what the ball bearing does. The blank was cast by my friend Dennis. I love the looks of the blank. I've made several tops in the past, but this is the first one I turned from acrylic. It's more balanced than wood, of course, but I think I made it too big. It's very heavy, and difficult to get it to spin fast. I'm going to make a second smaller one, and see how it spins. I had trouble with the video, but you get the idea. I polished it with 220-600 wet; Micro Mesh wet; Meguiar's 105, 205, 9, and 10.

 

[qquake]

This is the blank Dennis cast. The mold was a red Dixie cup. Hey, it worked!

 

[ink_a_fink]

This is the blank Dennis cast. The mold was a red Dixie cup. Hey, it worked!

Gotta love Dixie-Cup Casting!

You did a great job turning this one

 

[penicillin]

Sorry, but where in the photos is the mystery ball bearing? I am curious.

 

[qquake]

Sorry, but where in the photos is the mystery ball bearing? I am curious.

It's inside the part called the "bearing holder".

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1284/5707/files/Spinningtop.pdf?16335953529556910075

 

[penicillin]

Thanks for the posting the additional info about that bearing.

I have not seen it live, in person.

Edit: Retracting my previous guess and replacing it with this one:

There is probably much less friction with the bearing than there is between the tip and whatever surface it is on, so the top spins longer. My better guess.

 

[qquake]

Could be. The tip is plastic, so I'm sure it will wear.

 

[Legato_J]

I picked up 4 of those kits from Penn State. What type of casting product was used to make the blank? Amazing, Clear cast, etc.?