throw tops

[Mel Reed]

Hi All,
To day I made a throw top it looks just like it should.I wraped the string right toss it I can't make it spinn.Can anyone help me out?
Thanks Mel Reed:(

Thanks Everyone,Today I got a throw top from an antique store.I used the string I had for my top and it worked very well.So I cut a new string for my top about one and a half feet longer that was the problem works just fine now.

[Reed Gray]

I tried several of them, and never could get one to spin right. I tried several shapes, and mirrored one that came from a store, with the same results. I have no idea.
robo hippy

[Scott Lux]

A picture is worth a thousand words. Or at least a couple hundred. Can we see a pic of the tops? It may be technique too.

[Ed Davidson]

Mel,

This place might help: http://www.topspinning.com/ ...how you hold (upside down) and release (wrist flick) the top is the key to a good spin.

[Judy Kingery]

Mel, Ed's gotcha covered - my Dad used to make them for us as kids and I've made I don't know how many I've turned now, probably close to 60 or so. Lots of fun and yep that's how you throw them, wrap the string correctly, upside down and a quick pull back with your arm/wrist on release. It'll automatically land right side up and spin for a long time. It's great fun, wish you luck! Jude

[John K Jordan]

Mel, Ed's gotcha covered...

Also, Craft Supplies has a handy one-page PDF page on making and spinning a throwing top:
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/woodturners/Images/pdfs/throw_top.pdf
I print this out and give the instruction quarter away with the top.

I found this long ago and it's still there, but I have no idea how to find it through the web site!

JKJ

[Curt Fuller]

A couple years ago I made a throw top. I took it out in my garage to try it out. I usually leave the door up about a foot so the cats can go in and out. I threw the top, it bounce off a few things, went flying under the door and into the darkness. I never have found it. That was my first and last attempt at a throw top.

[Mark Paulley]

Curt,
I laughed really hard with your story. Good thing I was not drinking anything or it would have shot out my nose!! Thanks for the chuckle!!!!!

John,
Thanks for the instructions.
Mark