Spinning Top - Whistling, singing, noise making

[Dick Veitch]

A club member has just demonstrated the making of a whistling spinning top and I have replicated it - but more by good luck than good design, it would seem. I made a second and it makes no sound.
My best resource is a video by David Reed Smith but that is not enough for me to have a recipe to work to. Is there anyone on this forum who has made whistling spinning tops, repeatedly, and can help me past my failure.

 

[Dave Fritz]

This may help:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz4CzbpYBGI&ab_channel=GeorgeFotinakes

 

[Dick Veitch]

Thanks, Dave, absolutely nothing in that video about singing spinning tops. But that did give me a lead to others. Have a look at:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceGY-ljvgNw
and also

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdVqAZiSrhY
as well as

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLskhXKP8OA

Looks like the second top I made had walls that were too thin - go make another!

 

[robo hippy]

Bigger is better!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ySif_zVrI8


robo hippy

 

[robo hippy]

Another one. I can't find the video, but saw one about making these with the metal rims. I never could figure out the forehand throw, have to do the back hand throw, like the most common one used for tossing the Frisbee.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPGC0oubUKo


robo hippy

 

[Dick Veitch]

Yes, diameter is important for the longevity of the spin and hence duration of the whistling.

 

[Dave Fritz]

Dick, I apologize. I was looking at one video and sent another. I too did learn from that one however. I wondered why some of mine would wobble and others wouldn't.

 

[Dick Veitch]

There is an awful lot out there and many about how to make smoother and longer spin. Now that I am on this singing thing I will try to combine it with the longer spin time as well. First ensure that I can get the song every time.