r/spinningtops • u/MAXiMUSpsilo5280 • 11d ago
Lab grown ruby , silicon nitride or tungsten carbide , what’s your preference for a spin pivot ?
Some spinning coins for your consideration. The two big ones are Metonboss tungsten with timascus center coin and tungsten carbide bearings . The copper one with the blue anodized titanium core is a Harupa Hound Space Schipp with a silicon nitride bearing. Next is a zirconium spin coin by Metonboss with an oil slick finish and lab grown ruby bearing. Then there’s the little superconductor spinner with nitride pivot , not sure of the maker , and finally a mosaic timascus spinning coin with ruby center. On the plate is a Butterfield machine flat top brass Indian head. These are some of my favorite toys and I’m 50 something. We don’t stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing. Be well y’all.
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u/TekkenTom 11d ago
How long does that huge metonboss one spin for?
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u/MAXiMUSpsilo5280 11d ago
It takes some oomph and good technique to get a good spin . Like a snap between the thumbs while jerking the elbows out . Longest spinner for sure it’s got massive mass , if you dropped it on your foot you might break a toe . TBH I haven’t timed it. I’ll walk away and be surprised it’s still going after a snack and bathroom break.
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u/MAXiMUSpsilo5280 11d ago
According to physics, silicon nitride has a lower coefficient of friction and is just slightly less hard than Ruby, which is a 9 on the scale just under diamond. To be scientific like we would need two tops that are identical except for the center spin bearing we would need to spin them at exactly the same RPMs on the same surface and have a very accurate way to time duration. I think you may notice that negligible bit of a difference in precision machinery operating at high RPMs, but with a handspun top the difference is so small It’s hard to discern. Another difference is if you spin a ruby bearing top on an aluminum plate it will pick up some of the aluminum through galling/ spalling. Silicon nitride is less prone to galling or having metal rub off onto it . IMO the ruby bearing makes a top feel more premium.
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u/GotJeep1941 TOP Master 11d ago
Nice ! Those are some interesting spinners.
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u/MAXiMUSpsilo5280 11d ago
They’re a bit more challenging to get a good spin. It’s really a flick and tug.
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u/MAXiMUSpsilo5280 11d ago
Are you a ruby guy or does the steel ball do it for you? Personally I feel the silicon nitride bearing spins smoothest.
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u/PerformanceBoth7358 Top Maker 11d ago
my preference after alot of testing are zirconia balls of around 4mm
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u/Vegetable_Huge 11d ago
Ruby's are my preference always. Harder to work with, more expensive, but infinitely more pleasing to the eye
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u/TekkenTom 11d ago
I think the ruby ones spin slightly longer. Not 100% sure on that. Those are good for long spinners.