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[Spinningray]

Thanks for being so patient Mike.

Sorry about the tip. I was going to lock tight it, but couldn't get the tip off.

[poptop]

Nice. I like the steep body walls--keeps the string in the clear I imagine?

Alan, do you turn the metal tips in the woodshop?

[the Earl of Whirl]

When I took it out of the box the whole room got silent as all eyes were fixed on the beauty!!!  It keeps getting faster and faster as I move with the one way bearing.  It is extremely durable, too, as it has taken some big hits and shows very little wear.  It will not be taking any more big hits after worlds, though, as I will be only spinning it outside.

[Spinningray]

Alan, do you turn the metal tips in the woodshop?

I do turn the tips in my woodshop, but with my metal turning lathe.

The top is made from red oak, ash, and cocobolo. The tip is steel and corian.

It was made from solid wood boards stacked and glued to align the grain. The wood is treated with red dye.

[poptop]

Very nice.  I hope to see in person sometime.  (Come to Nationals Mike  )

[pplgrande]

Beautyfull trompo mr. Gray, I've seen it in person, and got to see Mike spin it, it was a great time, that one way bearing is very impressive and nice

[johnm]

That looks wonderful! and oak should be super tough.

the one way bearing. 

It was made from solid wood boards

Is it only a one-way bearing or as you've said before a one-way sandwiched between two normal bearings?

Did you cut rings from 'solid' boards so the top is hollow, hollow it out after gluing (tough turning I'd guess), or is it solid and therefore super-duper robust?

[lincolnrick]

Nice job Alan.  Where's the ash? 

[Spinningray]

Thanks. It is my best top so far. It was hard to let it go.

The crown/top ring is ash wood. The red dye makes it tough to distinguish the two woods.



The top is hollow. The two bottom rings of oak were rings cut from the two largest rings in the middle.

It was made in two halves so that the insides would match and then joined together as one top. The oak was not too difficult to turn. The outside was turned after joining the two halves. The oak should hold up to wear and tear nicely.

The one-way bearing is sandwiched between two regular bearings. The spacer between the bearings is the perfect diameter for the one-way bearing. The spacer must be tightened between the bearings for the one-way bearing to work properly.

[the Earl of Whirl]

Your best yet?  Wow, I am really humbled and honored!!!

[Neff]

Excllent work Allen.  The color is absolutely amazing when spinning, looks like copper that is alive somehow.  We missed you at worlds!

[Tomymoonly]

lol that top sis awsome... how come guys you all have gold in hands... ><

[the Earl of Whirl]

OK.....we need to talk more seriously about this top.  I am at a gas station just south of Macon, Georgia and I stopped for some gas and a quick spin.  I took one throw and guess what........I was still going 30 minutes later.  I only stopped because it started raining.  This isn't a top.  It's a freak of nature!!!

The red oak top does not ride in the trunk anymore.  It sits up front with me and Autograph from now on.  We have some things to talk over.  There are plans that need to be made and dreams that need to be dreamed.

Alan, can I wear out the bearing or burn it up?  There are some crazy things I can do with this top!

[Spinningray]

The bearings are stainless steel and took a trip through my ultrasonic cleaner. There is no more oil / grease in them so I don't think they can burn up. A hard hit to the tip might damage them. Otherwise, they should last for years. There isn't really much friction / weight, so they shouldn't get very hot.

Would love to see some video footage of the things you can do with the top. It is certainly a fun top to throw.

[the Earl of Whirl]

Thanks for your quick response.  I am sure what I just did was visually insignificant.  It was just a bunch of rollercoasters.  What shocked me was how efficiently it applied my energy to the spin.

Glad to hear the bearings are ready for some big work.  This is going to be very interesting.

Do you have a name for the top?  What is the longest regeneration ever recorded that anyone knows of?  I remember the 45 minute story from Steve Brown.