Since John has been kind enough to host a web page of my tops, I have had few top making enquiries. As the result of these enquiries I have decided to briefly put together my thoughts and researches on the topic of "good spinning tops".

Firstly I must refer people to my bibliography, which is annotated and if you can get some of those articles or perhaps books, then you will be well on the way. Bernie Zubrowski's book is the best on this sort of thing (simple theory). It’s a kids book, but I need things kept pretty simple, speaking for myself.

Secondly, I know nothing about physics! So don’t expect erudite descriptions and formulae. There are a couple of web sites that have looked at that sort of thing. My advice is from making and learning from what I have made.

Thirdly, with regard to shapes. I think that anything goes within the design principles that I will out line below. It is up to your imagination and creativity.

Like I say, there is no science in this just trial and error. The principles are in no particular order either and they are applicable mostly to finger spun tops.

1. If you want the tops to spin fast, then keep the main weight close to the shaft
2. If you want the top to spin for a longer time then keep the most weight on the perimeter of the whorl.
3. The heavier the top the longer it will spin.
4. The greater diameter of the whorl the longer the top will spin.
5. The greater the diameter then the more stable the top will be.
6. The more weight on the perimeter the more difficult it will be to finger spin
7. The more weight you have on the perimeter the more thought you have to put into the design of the finger spin shaft. i.e. the more weight the larger the diameter of the finger spin area of the shaft and also the great need for "grip" being built into the design (i.e. knurling) (Of course you can make it a "palm spin" shaft if you like!)
8. The position of the whorl on the shaft has an effect on the stability and the processing of the top. The lower the whorl the more stable. Higher than one third of the shaft length begins to make the top more difficult to spin. Though palm spin (faster spinning) tops will work OK at above this height. Sure it will still spin ok but better if the proportional position is lower than one third.
9. Whorl and weight principles can be stated more scientifically by talking about centre of gravity, instead of where the main weight is positioned.
10. Design your top shape for streamline effect. Air friction does have an effect, though only really noticeable on a very "whiskery" top.
11. Reduce friction at the contact point also., A sharp, but not penetratingly sharp point will be better than an blunt point. Metal is better than most woods as a spinning point. Glass is a great surface to spin them on. (I use a concave shaving mirror.. the sort that makes your face look bigger!! It has a nice retaining rim too)

To draw a conclusion to this reminds me of the A.A. Milne poem about the shipwrecked sailor. When the sailor became ship wrecked he thought of all the things he had to do to meet his survival and safety needs. The more he pondered about the order of priority that he should place on these tasks, the more confused he became. In the end he just laid down on the sand and waited to be rescued!

This is a bit like that. It seems an impossible task to meet all these criteria in one top, particularly if you are looking at wooden tops. But it is interesting to note that if you change the material that you make them out of, it is possible to meet more of the criteria. i.e. the lighter the material (like cardboard) enables you to have very wide whorls, low on the shaft and be able to place weights on the whorl at the places that you want them to be (provided that you do not spoil the balance)

My closing advice is, blow the principles, make a top that you will enjoy making, that looks good and works reasonably well and just enjoy it!! J

Happy spinning……And please feel free to add your own criteria to those above. I really don’t own them and I am quite happy to accept that others may well know more than me.

Why not email John or myself.

Brian

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