Archive for the ‘Toys’ Category


A Wood Toy Tippy Top

I’ve turned several tops on my lathe but never a tippy top. A tippy top should start normally, then flip over onto its spindle. During this process, it reverses its rotation. Physics students create monstrous equations to explain this reversal that are totally beyond me. This wood is poplar with a walnut spindle. The poplar […]

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Woodturning Weird Rolling Doodad Toys

At the Desert Woodturning Rounding in Mesa Arizona, I saw a weird toy in the instant gallery. I studied it but couldn’t figure out how it was turned. Fortunately, the woodturner was nearby and explained both the simplicity and the critical portions of the toy. I had to make one. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what […]

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Spin Top Turn Off From Desert Woodturning Roundup

I had some fun at the 2013 Desert Woodturning Roundup in Mesa, Arizona. While at a break between exhibits, a man came by offering some time to woodturn at a lathe. I said ok. Later I learned that it was a timed competition including many of the professional presenters including Richard Raffan, Michael Hosaluk, and […]

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Wood Spin Top With Box in Maple

This woodturning project was inspired by a visit by Eli Avisera to the Cascade Woodturners. Eli Avisera is an Israeli woodturners. He made a small wood spin top that also served as a lid to a small box. He made it look so easy, I just had to try it myself. Fortunately, I had some […]

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