Woodturning large spinning top using carbide lathe tools

This is a jumbo spinning top from an oak dowel and an unknown chunk of wood.
I saw Chris Pine do this over a year ago, and I finally got my own done. See his video here:
• The Big Top.
Please comment, like, and subscribe!

[@TheChrisPineWorkshop]

Excellent project! Lots of fun and who doesn't like a top!? All ages like to play with them and these larger ones the adults sure get into! :) Thanks of the shout out! Great video! Best Regards Chris

[@SJWoodworks]

Thanks for the inspiration, Chris.

[@Robbiethewoodturner]

That a cool top really nice colours

[@SJWoodworks]

Thanks. Sometimes you just never know what you will find when you cut into a piece of wood.

[@coolcat9327]

I think your wood is Eastern Red Cedar.

[@markthompson2980]

loved the top good work

[@SJWoodworks]

+Mark Thompson Thanks, Mark! My kids still play with this top after all this time.

[@MikeWaldt]

Great project Steve, and it goes to prove my way of thinking is correct - there is no such thing as scrap wood ;). The top looks really good mate, I made a small bowl when I first started turning from a "scrap" of wood, that too had purple figuring, I was told then that it was Sycamore, and that over time (about a year), the purple would darken to an almost Ebony like dark colour. Alas, that bowl has long been gone, and it will be interesting to see if the purple flame in your top, does indeed go darker with time. Take care Mike

[@SJWoodworks]

Yeah, if this top survives all the play time my son gets from it!

[@czellner5894]

Good one Steve! :-) gonna have to make one of those tops man..... Enjoy watching you use carbides too. Don't see a lot of that! Charlie

[@jakejacobs652]

Nice top good to see it spinning. I have made a couple that size with a handle and a rope pull system its the only way to get it to spin longer. I have been playing with my turnmaster carbide tips especially like the mushroom head for hollowing. Great video Cheers Jake

[@SJWoodworks]

Thanks Jake. A rope pull system might have helped me get this thing spinning more consistently straight, at least.

[@ubwoodman915]

Nice look...I think it may be spalted flame box elder.

[@SJWoodworks]

Interesting idea. Thanks for watching ,

[@adamquincey4371]

Excellent... Cheers...

[@SJWoodworks]

Thanks Adam!

[@williamdavid8705]

awesome project, think I'll try one. I do tops to practice my spindle work. strictly from my own experience, I would wager that the wobble in your top is caused by those bug tunnels on the outer rim of the top. Even that little bit of imbalance makes a HUGE difference in the spin smoothness and duration of the spin especially on a top this big. Please do not think I am degrading your work, just sharing what I learned.

[@TheCecil64]

Check out Colombian Spin Top 2006. Thanks for sharing.

[@angryman5221]

that unknown wood looks like lilac to me.