A Merry-go-round Top ([Fig. 132]) is a new idea easily carried out. You will require a cardboard disk 12 inches in diameter, three spools, a pencil, and some light-weight cardboard.
[Fig. 133] shows the details for this top. If you haven't a compass, use a large-sized dinner plate with which to draw the circumference of the disk (A). Then cut a conical-shaped piece of spool (B), stick the lead-pencil through it for a spinning point (C), punch a hole through the disk to fit over the pencil, and tack the disk to B. Cut off a third of the length of a ribbon spool for E, and fasten another spool (D) to the top of the pencil. Spool D should be glued fast to the pencil, and the spool-end E should turn loosely upon it. Coat the lower part of the pencil with glue so it will stick fast in B.
Fig. 133.—Detail of Merry-go-round Top.
How the Top Spins. When you have made this much of the top, spin it to see how it works. Wrap the spinning cord—a strong lightweight wrapping-twine—about spool D, in the same manner that you wind the cord on any top; then, holding spool end E with the left hand ([Fig. 132]), pull steadily upon the cord with the right hand until all is unwound, and gently drop the top upon its spinning point. To get the best results, the cardboard used for the disk platform must be very straight. If it warps, flatten it by pressing it under a pile of books.
Fig. 134.—How Horses are Mounted upon Top Platform.
Horses and Riders for the merry-go-round may be prepared like those of the clockwork merry-go-round in Chapter X ([Figs. 143], [146], and [147]). [Figure 134] shows how two burnt matches or toothpicks are lashed to the legs of the horses for supports, and [Fig. 133] shows how holes are pierced through the disk platform to stick them in.