Spinning Top

[Paul Disdle]

This little top was made from an old stool leg does anybody know what wood it could be?

[woodndesign]

Hi Paul, would take it as being Beech, will hear more.

Nicely done and use of timber, how well does it spin.

Cheers  David

[bodrighywood]

Legs for old stools and chairs are nearly always beech. That is what the original bodgers used to make

Pete

[Bryan Milham]

I agree it 'ought' to be beech, especially if it's an old English Stool, but I'm not even sure it's European, the grain is too even - like a sub-tropical hardwood.

Can you give any details of the stool, do you have any left to pop up another picture of it.

[Paul Disdle]

Thanks for the thoughts, its from one of the strange kneeling stool computer chair things. I have some more pieces so will take some more photos tomorrow.

David, yes it spins nicely

Thanks

Paul

[woodndesign]

Cheers Paul

[arcos]

Nice...

I made some tops and had a bit of an experiment with them...

Keep the diameter of the top but hollow out the bottom OR top a bit to reduce reduce excess mass and it will spin forever (well a longer time anyway!)

I am going to be turning some 'finger' tops next week as giveaways for a market thats coming up. Just a fun thing for the kids to messa round with whilst the parents are hard at work shopping or selling!

[Paul Disdle]

Here are some more picture of the wood. Hope they help with the wood ID.

Paul

[Bryan Milham]

I recognise it from some old shelves I was given for the timber some years ago. I't's not very nice to work, tears easily and very fluffy. Maybe Ramin or similar!

[woodndesign]

Could it be some form of Hickory, not knowing the history as to where the chair came from.

Cheers   David

[thebowlerhattedturner]

It might be Obeche. I think the Latin name is Sceroxylon or something like that. It is an African timber commonly used in furniture and can be quite "fluffy" to work with. Traditionally it was used in the mass furniture industry for drawer sides and backs, mainly because it was cheap but it machined well. It was later replaced with Pink Meranti which had similar qualities and apart from the colour looked similar aswell.(not to be confused with Luan which is harder). You don't see it (Obeche) very often these days and I would imagine that it is only those of a certain age would recognise it.
REgards
John BHT

[thebowlerhattedturner]

Just looked it up on Google, the Latin name is  Triplochiton Scleroxcylon and apparently it is used for guitar making. Ver
y light in weight which is why it was used in furniture.
John BHT

[Paul Disdle]

Form the images I just looked up I think you are right John.

Thanks

Paul

[Bryan Milham]

Ah, the power of the Hive Mind!