Thread: Absolutely Tops!!

Really good, you're teaching them a good beginners object. How old are they?

Beginner's objects? I know some self-proclaimed "experts" who have difficulties turning decent tops.

Have you tried turning "tumbling tops" Stu? The ones that flip over and spin on their stem? I've never managed to get one quite right... yet.

Originally Posted by Auzzie turner

Really good, you're teaching them a good beginners object. How old are they?

Joash, Erika is 12, and Mizuki is 10 (going on 25).......

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Beginner's objects? I know some self-proclaimed "experts" who have difficulties turning decent tops.

Have you tried turning "tumbling tops" Stu? The ones that flip over and spin on their stem? I've never managed to get one quite right... yet.

I don't think they are that hard, I mean, the shape is fairly straight forward, and if you keep ahead of yourself on the cut (Don't make a deep V) then you are always cutting down hil.

I've not seen these "Tumbling Tops" now I'll have to go have a "Google" for them

Cheers!

Great - the kids get to use a DVR and here I am sluggin' it out on an MC900. Where's the justice??? Good one Stu - just don't try passing their work off as your own now...

I mastered tops straight away, they're not hard, just not interesting to make heaps all the time.

The girls wanted to make something for their summer craft homework.
I decided that turning some tops, would be fun.

Well done Stu, I have attached a photo of something else they might like to try - mushrooms / toadstools. This one is made from Hakea francisiana (AKA Emu Bush). I like making them from green wood and then they split a bit - like mushrooms and toadstool do!

I thought it was a step across from the top shape, anyway do with it as you will.
The top (yes the 'pole' is too short, given away the good ones) is sheoak.
Attachment 29251

JD

Originally Posted by Stu in Tokyo

I don't think they are that hard, I mean, the shape is fairly straight forward, and if you keep ahead of yourself on the cut (Don't make a deep V) then you are always cutting down hil.

I've not seen these "Tumbling Tops" now I'll have to go have a "Google" for them

Oh, I agree that they're not particularly difficult. But there's not much call for turning parts like the stem in their day-to-day turning (bowls, bowls and more bowls) and it can be quite entertaining comparing the form they do turn to the form they were asked to turn.

It's what we turn when our club sets up a few lathes for public demos, giving the results to the kids. We don't make the tops quite as "deep" as yours, they're more of a flattened UFO than a cone shape. Not that it makes any real difference, 'cept we get more tops from the same piece of wood. [shrug]

I've always heard the "tumbling top" being attributed as a japanese toy, but somehow it doesn't surprise me that you haven't heard of 'em.

Great - the kids get to use a DVR and here I am sluggin' it out on an MC900. Where's the justice??? Good one Stu - just don't try passing their work off as your own now...]

sigh..................the injustice of it...I have an MC1100..........

As long as they are having fun it 'll build great memories for them.
'Working in Dads Dungeon making tops'

well done Stu