Top - Time

I had recently watched a DVD from the local library. Turning Boxes; with Richard Raffan
http://www.richardraffan.com/node/70 so I started out one morning to do just that. He made it look so simple with his four jaw self centering chuck on his nice fancy Lathe. I knew this would challenge me since all I have is face plate on an old but reliable Springfield Cast Lathe. I didn’t give it much thought but I had also looked at LJ’s that morning and noticed the toy contest.

I started with this round of Maple that had been in the attic for about 6 yrs. Tree came out of the front yard. I split it open and thought wow that’s nice. Well squaring up a piece of it was also going to be a challenge on my 9” Ryobi Band Saw with only a 3.5” Throat which I finally gave up on and turned to the Table Saw.

When I was finally throwing chips around at the lathe, I was thinking BOX, Huh this is going to take a second very closely centered face plate glue up, but I also kept thinking TOY.

Well, this is what I came up with. Let the top be a TOP, put a Ball in the Base that is hooked together with a string and let the FUN begin. The old Ball & Cup expanded!

The Object: Spin the Top, and then see how many times you can catch the Ball in the Cup before the Top stops spinning.
If nothing else I got some practice at round boxes and also found turning a perfectly round ball is tough! Also need a bigger Band Saw.
Check the link to see my Son put it in action! ” http://youtu.be/H8NIen2jKUE”
Finished all with some Butcher Block Conditioner.
Thanks for looking.

-- Nick, Virginia, http://www.etsy.com/shop/NONICKSWOOD