Tops

When I talk to turners and ask about their first projects, most of them say that they learned to make tops. Some of them learned as children and some in high school. But where ever you learned how to make tops, you know how popular they are with kids and adults alike.

Tops are fast to make spindle turnings and there are many shapes and sizes. It's a great practice project too!!

		The Fingertip Top and Spinning Vessel by Charles Henderson
In this very clever and innovative tutorial, Charles shows us how he discovered "finger tops" which ultimately lead to his creation of "spinning vessels". Charles' tutorial goes into significant detail on how to make both of these special tops!! It might even be fun to make one just to see how they work!!

		Turned Top with a Textured Surface by Wood Magazine
Special hardware and chattering give this turning a whole new spin. Turn a classic top that spins by pulling a string. This plan also shows you how to give the surface a chattered finish for a textured look.

Woodturning Tops Projects by Russ Babbitt

How to make simple tops by Russ Babbitt

Turning tops is a great exercise in spindle technique. Skills learned in turning tops can be used in other spindle work. Tops can be very simple or as complex as you want. My plan is to show you how I turn a basic wooden top.

Russ shows how he makes a top and then shows pictures from his local club doing a County Fair and letting others turn tops for themselves.

This project runs close to my heart too as my local club also works with kids (and adults) at our local fairs and shows letting them turn tops themselves.

	Turning a chatter finger top by Larry Hancock
These traditional tops are turned and then embellished with a chatter tool and color. Larry's close-up pictures in this photo tutorial make it real easy to see each step of the process!

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