Spinning tops -ideas for tips

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Drcal

Drcal

Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2009
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175
Location
Tampa, Florida
I want to turn some tops with an add-on tip made of a more durable material than wood.
Has anyone ever done this using just a piece of an acrylic pen blank and turning it to a point?

Or corian?

Or some other turntable, non-metal material I am not thinking of?

Also, I would love to turn some using ball beaning tips but to buy just the tip from a top parts place is really expensive....like $9 each.

Any ideas ??
Thanks.

Carmen
Tampa Bay
 
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I haven't see them in a while, but there was an outfit that made plastic/hard rubber tips for tops. You might see if a search will turn up a supplier.

Myself, I use double headed nails, cut the top head off, leaving the gap, and most of the nail shank, then stick it in a drill and run it against a belt sander until I have a rounded point. It will ruin a nice wood floor.
 
How about some stabilized wood? I've tried stabilizing some ironwood andthat's some tough stuff, or maybe some really hard South American species.

I know you said no metal but both brass and aluminum work really well withwoodturning tools, those materials would last a long time.

Happy turning
 
HDPE? Should turn reasonably well, available in colors, and should have some natural slipperiness to let it spin well. Find a cutting board that's thick enough for what you want and slice some pieces off to try… You might have to look a bit to find the thicker stuff as most cutting boards these days seem to be 3/8" or thinner.
 
Carmen I've used brass nails and find they work well, but as you and others have said, they WILL damage wood floors. I've seen several other top turners use portions of 'plastic knitting needles' that they purchase and Michaels/JoAnns and other fabric shops. I understand they are inexpensive and easily turned to a nice point after cutting a piece and inserting it into a small drilled hole in the end of the top. Might give that a try as they seem to really like them since the needles are hard yet durable plastic and don't seem to damage the floors and the points last a long time...
 
I have used a ROUND TACK (pin) and inserted it at the bottom of the spinner. It adds surprising speed/longevity to the spinning action.
 
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