faq

Are your tops safe for infants & toddlers?

No.  The one-piece construction of our tops makes them sturdy for their size, but with enough force a child could potentially break the stem of the top and choke on it. 

However unlikely this might be, these tops should not be played with by infants or toddlers.  Of course they can still enjoy the tops from a distance when operated by responsible adults.  

What species of wood do you use?  

Primarily:  Madrona, Beech, and Maple.  These sturdy, smooth-cutting, well balanced materials are also light in color.  This makes them a great canvas for decorating.  All madrona (and some of the maple) is sourced from salvaged trees on Vashon Island making our tops a great choice from an environmental standpoint.      

All wood is air dried for a minimum of one year + several months in a heated environment to ensure a stable top, well balanced top.

How long do the tops spin?   

Total spin time depends on how much of a finger snap the user can muster.  Averages for an experienced spinner are around around 50 to 70 seconds.

How do you color the tops? 

Our tops are sanded and decorated with non-toxic permanent ink.  Favored brands are Sharpie and Faber Castel.   

How long will it take to recieve my order?

Filling orders typically takes a day or two, with USPS shipping taking 2-6 days within the domestic USA. 

How can I keep my tops looking and spinning great?

These tops can be very durable, but keep the following care tips in mind: 

Water is not great for wooden tops.  Avoid contact with water.  

Avoid dropping the tops from high up or spinning them on rough surfaces like concrete, asphalt, ect.  This could blunt the tip and reduce the smoothness and duration of the spin. 

It's best to spin them on a smooth, level surface such as a table top, dinner plate, or hardwood floor.  

Avoid using the tops around dirt and grease, as the pores of the wood will be hard to clean.  

What's the trick to spinning a top upside down?

There are two ways:

Method 1:   Practice the "finger snap" spin using your thumb and forefinger to spin the top right side up.  When you get to being confident with this approach, simply rotate your hand 180 degrees (upside down) and do the same snap.  The top should fall from your hands an spin on the table, floor, ect. 

Method 2:  If the top has a longer stem you can simply roll it between your open palms to spin.  

Do you make custom tops? 

Yes.  Please email us to discuss your requirements.  

How did you get into this line of work?

A woodturning book by Richard Raffan caught David's attention while he was working in the tool library at the Tyler School of Art.  A few years later he bought his own wood lathe and began going through all the projects described in the book, (spinning tops being one of them).  

This hobby became a full time career in 2007 as he began selling at various craft shows and farmer's markets in the Pacific Northwest.  

How many tops has Vashon Island Toys turned out? 

David has turned more than 20,000 tops over the years.