Looks like most questions answered -
The American Association of Woodturners convention that featured spinning tops as a theme, and featured some of my top collection (and me) was in 2002 in Rhode Island. That big top was a display piece created by one of the wood turning groups attending. They were quite competitive about making cool items to display as part of the "Instant Gallery", and to sell at a charity auction at the end of the event. I bought the one you see in Mike's car. He got a deal because it subsequently split either because of slightly wet wood used in the construction, or varying expansion of the different woods in such a large piece. I believe that there were several smaller finger tops displayed on the big one, but I can't find them. The big top rotates on a bearing set into the base. Pictures of my collection at the event can be seen at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/topcollection/sets/72157604889091585/On the big plastic tops, I kept two, and subsequently have seen two more lying around, so you have hope Mark and others? I still have the rotational molding machine, but don't currently know exactly where the mold is?
Below are some pictures of tables full of tops that were made by attendees at that 2002 event that were given to area youth groups after the party! Someday I'll figure out a place (and find time) to post more pictures from that event. There were some pretty cool tops there - mostly finger spinners.
Last but not least, my favorite picture from the event is the picture of a gas station next to the convention center, as viewed out my hotel window!
And - even more last, I found a picture of that big display top on the table at the convention with the smaller tops that were with it.
