Branch Spinner Background and OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

1. I have been working on my Branch Spinners idea off and on for several years. It is my modification of a toy that goes back centuries in many cultures. I remember my mother telling me to fetch a large button when I had been driving her nuts as a child. She would run string through the button holes, ‘wind it up,’ and show me how to make it spin. About ½ the folks I show my Branch Spinners remember playing with spinning buttons as a child. The other ½ never spun a button. Most folks get a kick out of playing with my Branch Spinners, appreciate the beauty of the various woods used, and the attention to detail required to make them.
2. My Branch Spinners are made from irregular tree branches and are not all well balanced. That is not avoidable and causes some wobble as they spin. It also can make getting them started difficult depending on how out of balance the spinner body is. It may take some effort to get the knack of starting and operating my Branch Spinners.
3. Rounder Branch Spinner spinning bodies and their handles are made local salvaged branches. These spinning bodies are fairly well balanced and should be easier to start spinning. I usually leave the Branch Spinner ‘wound up’ for easier starting.
4. Oblong Branch Spinner spinning bodies and their handles are also made of local salvaged branches. These spinning bodies may be less well balanced and may require ‘milking’ the spinning body to spin well when it becomes unwound. By ‘milking’ I mean you will have to hold the handles securely in each hand and twirl the body in a circle several times to get the twine started to be wound up enough to spin the body. I recommend twirling the body about 10 times then promptly pulling, but not jerking, outward on the handles causing the body to spin some. As soon as the body starts spinning relax the tension just a little (don’t let it sag very much) and the body will spin in the other direction winding the twine. Let the body rotate until it stops spinning. As soon as the body reverses spin direction immediately pull, do not jerk, outward on the handles (not too hard) to get/keep the body spinning in the other direction. Keep doing this and the body spin rate should increase. Sometimes it won’t spin much in the reverse direction, and will peter out. In that event, you will have to twirl the body more times and repeat the outward pulling and relaxing tension a little to allow the body to spin out in reverse. Remember; don’t let it sag very much. Keep repeating this process and the spinning body should build up rotational speed and the windings on the twine to the point that the body will spin well if you pull and relax tension at the right time- just as the body starts its’ reverse spin. The wound twine stores the energy needed to spin the body with just a little energy coming from your repeated pulling as the body reverses rotating direction. This process can be frustrating at first. Keep at it and you will get the knack.
5. CAUTION! The spinning body can spin at a fairly high rate of speed. That builds up the kinetic energy in the spinning body enough that it can hurt if you allow the spinning body to contact your body or any surface. I have bounced the spinning body off tables when I am seated. I recommend standing clear of people and surfaces. CAUTION!! When you have finished operating the Branch Spinner bring your fists together just as the spinning body is reversing. You are aiming to bring your fists together with zero spin. The twine will be wound up and ready for the next time you operate your Branch Spinner. This will take some practice. You will pay attention because if you bring your fists together at the wrong time the spinning body will whack your knuckles!!! Usually this results in a hearty “OUCH!!!” or worse! You will pay greater caution next time. Let folks know about this before you let them operate the Branch Spinner.
6. I hope this brings you some fun. Don’t forget to discuss all the Physics involved, especially with young folks. I think the Branch Spinner can be both fun and educational. It can be an interesting teaching tool/prop.

Grandpa Rufus Rose

Box 88, Clinton, WA 98236         360-579-2790     rufusrose@whidbey.com