Hobbies And Interests
The Perfect Spin
The window of acceptability for a correct spin is very small, prompting the company to offer a motorized device to automatically spin it correctly. For those more inclined to do the job themselves, there are some tips to follow to perform a correct spin.
Make sure that all weights (save the brass washer) are removed from the Levitron. Hold the top's shaft between your thumb and forefinger with the very tips of your fingers resting against the brass. Try to give it a spin. If it does not achieve its minimum rotations per second (18), it will not stay up. Spinning too quickly will cause it to move erratically. Practice a little until you find the "sweet spot" where it spins stably.
The Perfect Weight
The weights included with the Levitron are meant to act as stabilizers that will help the top levitate for as long as possible. You want as much weight on the top as possible and still have it floating.
With only the brass washer, place the top on the lifter plate and give it a spin. If it is successful, very, very slowly lift the plate by small intervals. At the rough height of 2.5 inches, the top should slowly lift off the plate by itself. If it lifts up quickly and unstably before 2.5 inches, or spins off the side of the plate, the top is too light and more weight must be added. Repeat the above procedure. If the top does not rise at all when this is tried, it means weight must be removed. Repeat the procedure until you zero in on the correct weight.
The Magnetic Base
If you find that the top tends to spin off the side, the base may be uneven. It is important that the base be perfectly level so that magnetic force is applied vertically. Use the small wedges provided to correct the base's level until the top no longer spins off.