What’s turning?

Articles, insights, tips, and tricks

The tools I use to make spinning tops

Here are 5 tools that I rely on to make spinning tops that are precise, resilient, and attractive.

10 awesome Father’s day gift ideas from a non-Dad

I’m a man in my 50s with a man cave, a collection of tools, a variety of hobbies, and great taste (or so I like to think). While I’m not a father, here are 10 gifts I’d be more than happy to receive for Father’s Day.

The small but mighty Washburn spinning top

The Washburn top is the smallest top I’ve made so far, at just about an inch in diameter and an inch high. It’s also the lightest, weighing in at under an ounce.

Dauphin—introducing the pocket top that won’t spend much time in your pocket

Earlier this week, another series of precision metal spinning tops went live! The Dauphin series is comprised of 3 styles that make up a beautiful, complementary set. Dauphin spinning top First things first – the spin! I recently made a social media post all about the...

Homemade spinning tops—5 easy, fun ways to make your own tops

As a precision machinist, I make spinning tops on a lathe. It requires special tools, metal stock, machining skills, and – of course – a lathe. But you don't need to be an experienced machinist or have your own machine shop to make your own homemade spinning tops....

5 movies featuring spinning tops

Spinning tops make their way into entertainment media from time to time. Here are five movies in which spinning tops are featured.

Games played with spinning tops

Spinning tops – and games played with them – have been around for millennia. The article discusses several games played with spinning tops.

Graduation gifts for engineers under $100 – the best gift ideas for PhDs, masters students, and undergrads

As a machinist, I appreciate thoughtful gifts that cater to my hands-on, realistic, and investigative nature. Here are some great recommendations for graduation gifts for engineers and scientists.

A comprehensive toy museum and spinning top museum list

16 museums where you’ll find spinning tops on display. This is the ultimate toy museum tour for top enthusiasts and adults wanting to take a step back to the very best moments of their childhoods.

5 benefits of top spinning

Here are 5 ways in which top spinning is good for both your body and mind, including stress relief, dexterity, and more.

How to stop fidgeting and start focusing – quick tips and long-term strategies

Productivity at work or as a student requires attention, discipline, and getting assignments done even at times when we feel unmotivated. Many people find themselves needing fidget to stay focused. But fidgeting isn't always appropriate in a professional or classroom...

How to make a spinning top spin for a long time

Well-made, balanced tops can spin for a long time. But the design and quality of the top itself is only part of what influences its spin time. This article provides expert advice and tips on how to make a spinning top spin for a long time.

10 desk toys that every executive needs

Make room for the executive desk toys that will ease your stress, sharpen your thinking, entertain your visitors, and leave your coworkers envious!

The world’s biggest spinning top and other spinning top world records

Few toys set and break records the way spinning tops do. Spin duration, size, and simultaneous spins are just a few of the records set by tops. This article covers the world’s biggest spinning top and 8 other world records set by tops and the people who spin them!

Cheaha — a sleek new precision balanced spinning top from Scovie Precision Turning

The Cheaha is a smooth, sleek, long-lasting spinning top that fits nicely in your hand, in your pocket, or on the corner of your desk.

5 reasons why spinning tops make the best fidget toys

Tops are time-tested, inexpensive, and universally appreciated. But the reasons that they make the best fidget toy go beyond this. Here are 5 ways in which spinning tops beat out the rest of the fidget toy competition.

Cahaba – Scovie’s first CNC-machined precision spinning top series

Soon after purchasing a CNC lathe in 2020, I designed and produced my first line of CNC precision spinning tops, the Cahaba series. Learn all about them here!

How to make a spinning top on a lathe

Here is an overview of how to make a spinning top on a lathe, using the process I typically take for Scovie precision spin tops.

Precision CNC turning makes the longest spinning tops

Precision CNC turning is just one of the many ways that spinning tops and other spinning toys can be manufactured. When it comes to producing the longest spinning top, this method wins – hands down.

The basic physics of spinning tops

Spinning tops appear to defy gravity. Their movement, though, can be explained by the physics of spinning – the basic of which is described in this article.

Metal spinning tops — what are they made out of?

Tops with the longest spin times are made from metal. There is a lot of variety, though, in the metals that can be used for a long-lasting spin. Metal spinning tops are often made from common metals that we use in our everyday lives, but can also be crafted from precious metals.

The other names for spinning tops

Spinning tops have been around for centuries. They originated independently from multiple cultures around the world. As a result, they have been called by many names. The other names for spinning tops can be a reflection of their origin, how a certain type of top was initially made or used, or a distinguishing feature of top’s style.