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Side Grain Captured Spin Top
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Michael Anderson

Side Grain Captured Spin Top

Sycamore, Chechen (finial), Indian Rosewood (pedestal), metal bearing. Continuing the theme of spin tops, here is one where the spinning component is turned in side grain orientation. This adds an element of complexity, especially if sapwood is included with heartwood, as the different densities require calibration. Furthermore, the cracks mess with the balance. There are a couple of solutions--in this case, I simply carved away material on the underside of the spin top until the top was balanced. 5" h x 4" d.
Click to expand...
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Michael Anderson
A couple of alternative views, as well as a video of the top in action. It will spin for around 1:45 with a good spin.

kjNtrep.jpeg

vNMMEs2.jpeg

 
Tom Gall
Another nice one, Michael. I'm interested in your balancing/testing method. Do you have to "pop" it together for each adjustment and won't that possibly wear out the joint? Or, do you have a temporary method for balancing that doesn't involve the "pop fit"? Can't tell from the photo(s) - did you carve away material from the thin wall or from the flat area - is that what that dark spot is? Sorry for being so nosy. :)
 
Michael Anderson
Tom Gall said:
Another nice one, Michael. I'm interested in your balancing/testing method. Do you have to "pop" it together for each adjustment and won't that possibly wear out the joint? Or, do you have a temporary method for balancing that doesn't involve the "pop fit"? Can't tell from the photo(s) - did you carve away material from the thin wall or from the flat area - is that what that dark spot is? Sorry for being so nosy. :)
Click to expand...
Thanks Tom! Sheesh, sorry for the delayed response--the last couple of weeks got away from me. 😅

I'm glad you commented/asked. I had been using the actual pedestal to balance the top (yes, popping it in), but I've now moved to a different method. I wasn't so much worried about the joint failing though. I try to leave enough surface area on the pedestal and top so that the wood doesn't really dent or wear out. In this case, I also reinforced the entrance to the top's hollow with some CA glue. But, the bigger problem with using the pedestal to check the balance, is that the pedestal's concave top surface could result in the bearing sitting on a slope (however slight). This obviously isn't the best for balancing. Instead of this, I'm now balancing the top using a pedestal with a flat surface and a small diameter (so there's no need to pop at all).

And yep, for this one I just carved away material from the flat area (actually a dome shape). The walls are super thin (1/16" or so), and wouldn't have enough material to remove. Initially, I thought the obvious carved surface might be a bit ugly. But after I stewed on it a bit, I think it adds a bit of interest-makes the viewer wonder "why". And it's not too ugly when sanded well haha.
 
Tom Gall
Michael Anderson said:
Thanks Tom! Sheesh, sorry for the delayed response--the last couple of weeks got away from me. 😅

I'm glad you commented/asked. I had been using the actual pedestal to balance the top (yes, popping it in), but I've now moved to a different method. I wasn't so much worried about the joint failing though. I try to leave enough surface area on the pedestal and top so that the wood doesn't really dent or wear out. In this case, I also reinforced the entrance to the top's hollow with some CA glue. But, the bigger problem with using the pedestal to check the balance, is that the pedestal's concave top surface could result in the bearing sitting on a slope (however slight). This obviously isn't the best for balancing. Instead of this, I'm now balancing the top using a pedestal with a flat surface and a small diameter (so there's no need to pop at all).

And yep, for this one I just carved away material from the flat area (actually a dome shape). The walls are super thin (1/16" or so), and wouldn't have enough material to remove. Initially, I though the obvious carved surface might be a bit ugly. But after I thought about it, I think it adds a bit of interest-makes the viewer wonder "why". And it's not too ugly when sanded well haha.
Click to expand...
Thanks for answering my questions, Michael. I forgot all about it. At my age I have trouble remembering what I had for breakfast! :) :(
 

Media information

Category
Member Galleries
Added by
Michael Anderson
Date added
View count
209
Comment count
8
Rating
0.00 star(s) 0 ratings

Image metadata

Device
SONY ILCE-7M2
Aperture
ƒ/16
Focal length
105.0 mm
Exposure time
1/1 second(s)
ISO
500
Flash
Off, did not fire
Filename
_DSC7727.jpg
File size
122.8 KB
Date taken
Mon, 10 February 2025 12:58 PM
Dimensions
1500px x 1000px

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