Each top was individually hand-turned on a wood lathe in 2009. No two are exactly alike! The woods are denoted under each top. The bodies of the tops are made of American hardwoods like cherry, walnut, maple and apple. All of the handles are made of cocobolo, a rosewood that varies in color from orange to dark brown, often with brilliant patterns. These tops vary in size from 1 ¼" to 2" in diameter and 1 ½" to 2 ½" tall (tip to top). They are all fine and steady spinners. Any questions? Contact me kitchenpancho@yahoo.com.

All tops are $9 each. When purchasing, just denote which top or tops you want by Letter Row and Top Number (i.e. B6, C11 etc). Tops that are no longer available will be marked as sold on this page. SHIPPING Charges: 1-3 tops = $3; 4-6 tops = $3.50; 7 + tops = free shipping!

Tops are addictive! Who can spin it the longest? How about the fastest? Who can spin it upside down? How many tops can you get spinning at the same time? Which one is the best spinner? Tops are fun to spin at home, at work, when you're on the phone, on an airplane, on a boat or all alone. All it takes is one free hand!

Spinning them well can take a little practice. For optimum results, find a clean, flat surface. Place the handle between your thumb and index finger. Hold the top straight up and down and apply a little downward pressure. Then give it a good spin, without shooting the top off the table -- that's the part that takes some practice. Get good enough and someday you might win a top spinning contest at the National Championships in Chico, California, or even at the World Championships in Orlando, Florida!

The top is also a great educational toy! A top spins on an internal axis, or balancing point. The spinning action relies on the gyroscopic effect for its operation. A gyroscope is essentially a spinning wheel or disk whose axle is free to take any orientation.

Tops are one of the oldest recognized toys found on archaeological sites and originated independently in different cultures all over the world. Toy tops have been dated back to 1250 BC. Tops have also been widely used for prophecy and a variety of games. There are also tops that whistle, and tops that hum!

I have been making tops since 1984, and have produced over 100,000 individually hand-turned tops in that time. I used to produce small, simpler tops, as fast as I could make them, but am most proud of these ornamental, fancy tops I am creating now. I enjoy taking my time to make each top a little individual work of art with a bit of character of its own.

These tops are not recommended for children under the age of 6. The tops have a lacquer and wax finish that will blister under moisture. Keep them dry.

After Jan 3rd, tops will ship separately from Pittsburgh, PA. AFTER Jan 3rd, orders CANNOT be combined with Float About or Turn of the Century orders.

To use PayPal, simply log into your account and 'Send Money' to DiAndra@FloatAbout.com
The form will prompt you for appropriate information. When I establish my own website, I will be able to accept PayPal payments direct.

No PayPal account? Money orders and checks also accepted. For top orders only, send payment to the address below.