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[Dick Stohr]

Please tell us about this top 



MadFest album

[Neff]

believe Master Wolff is behind that one...

My mistake.  I spoke to Eric just before Madfest and he was working on something for Mark, I assumed that was it.

[lincolnrick]

Here's a pic of Alan at Madfest.  It might be his. (note admin: you need to be logged in to see the attached picture)

[Dick Stohr]

Now that you said that, I looked again at the pic of Mark holding the top, and I think that is Alan's girl friend.  Sure is a BIG top!

[Jeromy K.]

I want to touch......

[lincolnrick]

Here's a clip of Mr. Wolff and his top....



from Madfest

[Spinningray]

This is one I have been working on for a while. It is supposed to have flames. Thus the name "Fuego", but I can't bring myself to paint it since the finish is so nice.



More of my 60 year old recycled kitchen cabinet plywood. Reinforced inside with fiberglass cloth and bondo resin. The outside is coated with bondo resin. It really penetrates and strengthens the wood. I patched voids/holes with wood glue prior to applying the bondo resin. The resin didn't penetrate locations where the wood glue was used. That is why it looks like there are scuff marks. It is really as hard and smooth as a bowling ball. It is irresistible to touch.

It has the standard inline skate bearings. Steel axle with stainless steel sleeves. Reversible nut.

I'm still working on getting a one-way bearing into a 10" top.

That is my girlfriend in the photo with Mark. She was kind enough to drive with me to Madison.

It was surprisingly too warm to make ice tops. Maybe next year.

[ta0]

Yes, I would not paint it: the finish looks great! Even looking at the picture I want to touch it. Eric Girardi is a lucky guy. But you should not give it to him until he posts something on this board (he used to participate on B&S). I am happy to see your family of giant tops growing again (20 or 21 so far?)

I wonder if Figaro could be retrofitted with bondo. My only concern is that it would get even heavier . . .

[the Earl of Whirl]

You are right, it is irresistable to touch!!!  The picture is driving me crazy.

I'm more interested than ever in large tops as my training with the local high school track team is going well.  I've been lifting some with them and throwing the shot some (about five feet farther than last year so I am better prepared to handle the extra weight).

[johnm]

Magnificent!!

More of my 60 year old recycled kitchen cabinet plywood.

Just a quick scaling from the picture assuming a maximum diameter of 10" suggests 14 rings of 3/4" plywood stacked for the body.  Is that correct?  How many layers in your earlier tops like Figaro--maybe 12?  Do you launch (no other word seems adequate) it with the same length cord as the others?

Really super!  Thanks for your inspiring creations.

[Spinningray]

Thanks John.

14 is the correct number of rings. I have used 12 rings on the other big tops. I am happier with this shape.
I use the same length of rope to throw it. You can only throw it so far away from your body before it would hit the ground. It is like bowling with a rope.

I have been looking at another tool that may make it easier to make big tops.

http://www.ringmastertool.com/

[johnm]

I have been looking at another tool that may make it easier to make big tops.

http://www.ringmastertool.com/

Thanks for the numbers and the link to the ring master.   From the sales video it seems to be an interesting tool but $400 for the mini (and Midi) lathe accessory seems beyond my hobby mode of top making.  I'm surprised their $600 system with the motor and tool rest accessory for traditional lathe work doesn't include low cost pipe rails for an add-on tailstock.

The efficient use of wood is very attractive, especially for exotic woods.  I wonder how easy it is to really line up the joints properly for gluing to get a good balance rather than just a nice look for a bowl or vase.  I guess over sizing the ring wall thickness would allow for cleaning up the seems and any offset by normal turning.  Maybe I'll request the free DVD.

[Eric]

MadFest was lots of fun, as usual, and Alan came with his newest 10" top ("Fuego"), and I managed to get a video of it's maiden voyage.............enjoy!

 

[ta0]

Today it is pretty cold but I felt compelled to go outside and throw Figaro a few times . . .  I feel better now

[Jeromy K.]

I really want to touch now. How do I get one?