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[ta0]

Found several photos on Flickr (http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/cyclotour/Recent) about this artisan, Jean-Dominique Denis, who makes finger tops with the twist (sic) that you need to provide the energy by pedaling the lathe  :





He has a badge (that besides his name says Amour du Bois) and I don't see prices, so I think this is some kind of festival and the tops may be free.  The photos were taken in south of France close to Italy (Alpes-Cote d'Azur).

[ta0]

Also on Flickr but from the other side of the French-Italian border (Tuscani) this is a restaurant that uses hanging plunge tops as decoration:



 

[jim in paris]

very nice find : i like the set-up!!

on the left the wheel of fortune will tell you what top you will get

here are the different models

starting at the question mark clockwise

saucer
demoniac
mystery
round up
super ugly
extreme
too pretty
toupie of the day (like meal of the day in a menu)
surprise
multi floors
double
crank top
extra flat
tradition
bell

great concept to exchange the source of energy against the workmanship
it makes one be truly part of the creative act

video here
http://videos.sortirdunucleaire.org/Merci-pour-votre-energie

the website
http://www.jeandominiquedenis.com/index.html

jim

[czyoyo]

Haha. :-) I like it.

The only potential problem is if a little kid could petal it fast enough. :-/

[ta0]

Haha. :-) I like it.

The only potential problem is if a little kid could petal it fast enough. :-/

Actually, there are two sets of pedals, so an adult could pedal with the kid.  It is also a good idea for a couple.

I wonder what the "demoniac" and the "super ugly" look like 

[czyoyo]

Thanks Ta0. I missed that second set of pedals.
I wonder if when one person petals if the second set of pedals spins... So could an adult and a small kid do it at the same time or would the two have to pedal at the same speed...?

[Ludo]

[Jeremy McCreary]

I love everything about this guy and his show and his tops -- especially the many whimsical designs. Well-done video, too. Thanks for sharing it, Ludo!

[lincolnrick]

Fantastic! Great idea, I wish him all the success in the world.

[ta0]

Thanks Ludo for finding this video.

I wonder what the "demoniac" and the "super ugly" look like 

I finally know what looks like a top with demoniac shape. 

The website listed on the video: http://jeandominiquedenis.com/

[jim in paris]

YES!!

in fact Jean-Dominique has just called us to ask if he could be part of the next Marines Festival in Feb 2017 : Ludo told him yes of course, so be it !

  FUN Ahead!

jim

[Aerobie]

The wood reminds me of the wood used by a Japanese top turner.  It looks soft and wet, resistant to splitting.  Perhaps he uses wood which hasn't been dried to the normal low moisture level.

That could be pine, or hemlock.  Any ideas?

Alan

[Dick Stohr]

Around here (VA) when our woodturning club does demos we use dry Maple or some other hardwood. It shows the chatter decoration better. We do use electric instead of pedal power.

[Lourens]

The three of us have enjoyed the movie of the cycle tours very, very much! What a wonderful idea and what a wonderful interaction between the wood turner and the children and their parents! Wow! The Lourens Bas-family.