How to Turn a Wooden Top or Spinner

Wooden tops delight children of all ages.

Wooden tops, or spinners, have long been a simple, but favorite toy. Wooden top designs can be simple or elaborate. Styles range from a smooth turned surface with no embellishments, to a top with multiple segments or decorative finials. These simply executed little devices regularly appear at craft fairs, and appeal to a parent who wants to introduce his son or daughter to the same toy he enjoyed as a child. Turning a wooden top on a wood lathe provides an opportunity to build basic woodturning skills.

Things You'll Need

• Wood lathe
• Four-jaw chuck
• 2-inch square by 5-inch long maple wood
• Face shield
• Spindle roughing gouge
• ½ inch spindle gouge
• 220 grit sand paper
• Parting tool

Instructions

1. Place the maple wood blank in the four-jaw chuck. Tighten the chuck jaws using the key provided with the chuck.

2. Turn the wood blank to a cylinder. Use a spindle roughing gouge. Keep the gouge away from the chuck jaws. Protect your eyes and face with a face shield.

3. Shape the cylinder's end to a shallow point. Use the ½-inch spindle gouge. This piece will form the top's bottom, or foundation. The top will spin on this surface.

4. Shape the top's body into a short but fat shape, similar to a flying saucer. Use the ½-inch spindle gouge.

5. Define the handle's shape with the spindle gouge. The handle's finished diameter will be about ¼-inch. Add decorative beads or coves as desired.

6. Lightly sand the top with a piece of 220 grit sandpaper. Sand until the top is smooth.

7. Turn on the lathe to its slow speed. Advance the parting tool into the wood near the end of the top's handle. Use your other hand to catch the top as the parting tool cuts the top clear from the wood.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply more top decorations with colored markers.

References

• American Association of Woodturners; Turning Tops; Dave Bowers

Resources

• American Association of Woodturners