Saturday, November 23, 2019

Make a spinning top with an acceleration handle








I really want to thank SKIL for sending me many power tools which I use every day.


Tools and materials I propose:

I made my little spinning top out of beech wood. Please note that every year Greek woodturners and makers unite. We make spinning tops and toys for a good cause. The event is called Top Battle and you can find more info about it here.


First of all I roughly planed my material flat with my electric planer. This saved me a lot of time and effort. 

I then cut my blanks on my table saw. 

It’s much easier to drill all your holes while your material is square. Then you can turn it round on the lathe. 

Using the skew and a bowl gouge I shaped my top. A burned wire line gives a more vintage look on my tops. With my rotary tool I predrilled a pilot hole and then inserted a nail at the bottom of my top. I finished my top with carnauba wax. This a friction finish like wax but it’s more durable. 

I then made the acceleration handle. This time I used forstner bits to drill my holes. I finished it with food safe mineral oil. The same with the string handle. 

I sealed the ends of my string with some beeswax. 

The way this toy works is simple. You just insert the top in the handle and then wrap the string. You pull the handle and the top spins for a really long time.

My top came out great, but that was it. See you soon with a new project video!


Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, that at no cost to you, I get a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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