Maxwell's Spinning Top
5.0
3 reviews
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SKU MAX
£60.00
Price incl. USA 10% Duty (paid in advance) (10%) £5.45
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Maxwell's Spinning Top, presented here with solid brass rotor, stainless steel fittings and an anodised aluminium frame.
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Stephen M.
Largs,
United Kingdom
Sat 27 Dec 2025
I have ordered a number of these kits from kontax. I like them because they are made in the UK, once the worlds leader in engineering. I love them because they are so well made.
I suppose robust isn't the right word because some of the parts are delicate but they have the feel of being properly engineered an well designed.
I know they are expensive when you look at the price but I would rather save up and wait a couple of months to get something that is quality, looks the part and makes you proud to sit it on display. Thanks
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Maxwell's Spinning Top
Product Details
Maxwell's Spinning Top
Maxwell's spinning top is a curious spinning device. It combines the physics of a spinning top and a gyroscope with friction to produce some interesting movements. When the top is spun the upper spike comes into contact with the wire spiral and by forced precession it follows she spiral as if by magic. It is named after James Clerk Maxwell's dynamical top which was developed in 1856.
How it works
The solid brass rotor has a spike below and another on above. The bottom spike fits into a dimple in the stainless steel support journal and the top spike points upwards into the upper wire spiral. The rotor can be spun by hand to produce the forced precession effect, but it is much more efficient when it is spun with a piece of string. The string is threaded through a small hole in the upper spike and wound around the spike. When pulled gently and steadily the rotor will start to spin and friction between the upper spike and wire spiral will cause the spike follow the wire spiral.
The top will follow the spiral all the way to the end and then almost magically wrap around to the other side of the wire and go back the way it came. It will follow the spiral in and out until it slows to a stop.
TIP: Try spinning the top clockwise and anti-clockwise. It will do something a little different as it passes the outer end of the spiral!
Main features:
- Solid brass rotor
- Kevlar pull string
- Demonstrates forced precession
Materials
- Stainless steel spikes and support journal
- Brass rotor
- Anodised aluminium base and support arm
Dimensions
- Base- 100mm diameter, 10mm thick (3.93" x 0.39")
- Rotor - 50mm diameter (1.97"")
- Overall height - 110mm (4.33")
Kit
The top is supplied as a self-assembly kit.
Instructions
Click the image below for PDF assembly, operation and maintenance instructions.
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| Maxwell's Spinning Top |
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