Oh, man, this takes me back. I had a version of the Levitron when I was a kid, but got so frustrated because I could never get it to work. Found it again in my early 20s and gave it another go. Nope- still couldn’t manage it! Very satisfying to watch Tim make it work.
What you need is a small circular spirit level (also called a "button level") to do the levelling with - we use them for levelling analytical balances in the lab all the time.
You sir are a very patient man, at around 0:55 to 1:01 I would have called the pieces that kept clinging to the circular base S.O.B.'s and told them to stop that.
I actually remembered having this toy when I was younger. I never got it to work, got super sad, placed it in a box and put it somewhere for it to rot away as punishment
You have probably seen them Tim, but you can get a small battery operated device that really gets that top spinning very easily. I have seen people use them and it makes getting the spin going much easier than by hand.
I bought one of them from The Gadget Shop way back back in the 90's.. There's a you tube video where someone put their Levitron in a vacuum chamber and it went on for ages and ages..
The dimple in the plastic piece that goes in the middle is so that, once you get the top levitating, you can put the plastic piece back into the center with the dimple-side up and the top will fall straight into the dimple, instead of falling into the center of the base magnet and potentially having the pieces fly off.
I wanted one of these SOOOO bad as a kid, when I first saw it I thought it was akin to magic because the mail order catalogue that advertised it never showed that the other half of the gimmick was a huge base. They made it look like that little spinner would just float anywhere on it's own.
Can't help thinking it'd be better if they did an electronic version of this. Maybe with a microprocessor. It could use feedback to get the top to exactly the right height, modulate electromagnets to get it in the right position, and even, with a number of electromagnets and stronger / weaker, or opposing, magnets on the top, be able to rotate the top electromagnetically. So the top would run continually, and it'd be much easier to get going. I wonder what the maths would be? I have a tiny, horrible, suspicion that it goes into chaos theory really quickly, and becomes unmanageable. I could be wrong.
How come weight must be adjustable? Isn't there an optimum weight that the manufacturers could set on the spinning top and have it work for everybody? Or does the optimum weight depend on atmospheric pressure or something like that?
+Mihai Bica The problem is the slight level adjustments are still much too minute for smartphone sensors, or even standard levels to measure correctly. It is easier to just be adjusted by hand.
tim always finds the sweet spot
+Katan the Van ?
+Katan the Van hi
+Katan the Van Giggity
+Katan the Van I knew he would go all the way when screwing.
+Katan the Van is this a ytp i can't tell
0:25 the paper at the bottom says "the path to succ"
+Rameeno MY BEST SELLING BOOK
succ
+Rsimon859 I need one have more in stock? Lol
success...
dewkdogg lol no shit i was making a joke
This guy is the epitome of the magical toy shop owner stereotype
Tim is like the awesome grandpa of youtube.
I agree
@Ira Magnus eemagherd
I watched Tim instruct me on something I don't even own. Yet I loved every second.
00:57 "so the first thing to do is just to keep the monsters at bay."
release the kraken 🐙
"The rest is just persistence. It pays."- Tim.
Imagine all of Tim's dog impressions compiled into one video.
Dog impressions?
+thefluffinator229 7:43
woof!
I'm on it
You got that video yet?
I get two Tims in one day? Oh Grand Illusions, you spoil me!
WOOF that was a lot of fun
+CrashBangAdam You watch Tim?
+TheGamingTree How dare you steal my name.
+The Aura Tree How dare you steal my name
TheGamingTree I made this back in 2013-ish. When did you make yours? :P
The Aura Tree Made this one in 2012
imagine how cool it would be if tim did unboxing videos.
Who is "time"?
If I could save time in a bottle... The first thing that I'd like to do... Is to save every toy for eternity... And share none at all... With you...
Time(pronounced Timme) is Tim's slightly derpier twin brother
+burningknight7....and this month from Loot Crate we got an inflatable fucking crown...
haha gaming reviews😅
Isn't it so calm and relaxing to watch tims videos
The real amazing thing about this whole video is not the toy itself but the patience you have trying to make it work properly.
Wingardium Leviosa
hahaha lolzz
It's not leviOsa, it's leviosA
+Viikond AAAAAAAAH
Oh, man, this takes me back. I had a version of the Levitron when I was a kid, but got so frustrated because I could never get it to work. Found it again in my early 20s and gave it another go. Nope- still couldn’t manage it! Very satisfying to watch Tim make it work.
When the top finally started levitating I went full toddler.
What you need is a small circular spirit level (also called a "button level") to do the levelling with - we use them for levelling analytical balances in the lab all the time.
I followed the Path to Succ. Tim was there, with a very remarkable array of vaccuum cleaners. Fascinating stuff. B)
I had this exact top many many years ago, and MANNN are they difficult to tune just right!! Result was always worth the effort though
You sir are a very patient man, at around 0:55 to 1:01 I would have called the pieces that kept clinging to the circular base S.O.B.'s and told them to stop that.
I actually remembered having this toy when I was younger. I never got it to work, got super sad, placed it in a box and put it somewhere for it to rot away as punishment
I had the early version and it took me a LONG time to get it levitate. It was a joy once I got it going.
I really enjoyed this video. Would love to see Tim unbox some new and cool toys!
You have probably seen them Tim, but you can get a small battery operated device that really gets that top spinning very easily. I have seen people use them and it makes getting the spin going much easier than by hand.
I bought one of them from The Gadget Shop way back back in the 90's.. There's a you tube video where someone put their Levitron in a vacuum chamber and it went on for ages and ages..
legend has it where its still spinning.
Me too. Although my top plate was different. I also had an electric spinner for the top to get it really going.
"The first thing to do is just to keep the monsters at bay." Couldn't agree more.
One of the most fascinating devices you've shown us!
"The rest is just persistence. It pays." noice
Tim has surprisingly steady hands for his age! Good stuff!
Tim is like your grandpa who you visit once a year and who has a closet full of cool toys. Which, I bet he does have a closet full cool toys :D
+Drunken Estonian Guy a house full of cool toys?
Yeah. Right. A closet.
www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-02/03/meet-tim-rowett
***** Oh my god that is so cool! :D
Someone was giving me a shoulder massage while I was watching this with headphones on and it was a pretty fantastic eight minutes.
Cats are cool like that.
after all that Tim didnt even let it finish bloody spinning!
8:13 is ripe for a remix
0:20 Oh you have got to be kidding me.
The paper he pulls out.
Jesus Christmas, man.
6:25 Wow ! It's quite a bit of work to get this working. But when it does - no electricity ! And that in itself is pretty amazing.
The dimple in the plastic piece that goes in the middle is so that, once you get the top levitating, you can put the plastic piece back into the center with the dimple-side up and the top will fall straight into the dimple, instead of falling into the center of the base magnet and potentially having the pieces fly off.
The anticipation was killing me!
Tim shows the world the path to succ
That was so engaging I think I ASMR zoned out or something
Tim is so beautifully adorable
The title is wrong :P LEVITRON instead of LEVITON
+TheKlanMan Whoops. Now fixed! Thanks.
+Grand Illusions it still says "Levitron" to me.
+Acrimonious Mirth Levitron is the right title, I'm assuming it used to be leviton.
+RealFear Ahhh yes. Ok, I'm going to get tested for dyslexia. Or stupidity. One or the other :P
+TheKlanMan Your teddy will be kidnapped tonight.
"Sweet spot" heh!
this is the only unboxing I actually care about.
I wanted one of these SOOOO bad as a kid, when I first saw it I thought it was akin to magic because the mail order catalogue that advertised it never showed that the other half of the gimmick was a huge base. They made it look like that little spinner would just float anywhere on it's own.
I just realised the paper in the bottom left says "succ" Dear God.
oooh yis, his mooskles are strong.
You will never get the succ
luv u tim
0:52 ..lol (sorry)
thumbs up for Tim's skill.. :-)
quite amazing gadget! should be part of any school science lab!
Subbed. I love ur voice... And ur commentary.. I just found this channel, but it's great
"Heh." -Tim
I love watching your vids guys, keep it up. "twiddle your things"... the ytp community is going to have a fucking field day with that
thanks! just bought one at goodwill for 5$.....missing the small weights and the medium too, this thing is way harder than it looks
Persistence. it pays
I could listen to you talk about air...all day.lol
Yay unboxing by Tim...the best
'THE PATH TO SUCC' I love that novel.
Nice always like the videos,keep up the great work...
I got a cheap Chinese one while in Beijing for my brother. It works excellently and is fascinating to watch.
Tim never fails me
I had one of these as a child, never had the patience to make it work
I'm glad I'm not the only one to see the succ
0:26 the paper says "the path to succ" lol
7:51 “path to succ” bottom left xD
It needs a bell jar around it with which you can evacuate the air from around the top.
Is "Woof!" the new "Heh."?
I perceive some strong competition for UnboxTherapy
That's pretty damn cool.
Woof! That was a lot of fun x
Love your videos!
I love him . He's awsome!
it only took him like 5 minutes to set it up ,must be a world record. I had one and it took me hours, damn thing kept flying off
Love you, Tim.
"First thing to do, is keep the monsters away"
Extraordinary
this is really fun. i have 1 of this toy.
That was Awesome!
Can't help thinking it'd be better if they did an electronic version of this. Maybe with a microprocessor. It could use feedback to get the top to exactly the right height, modulate electromagnets to get it in the right position, and even, with a number of electromagnets and stronger / weaker, or opposing, magnets on the top, be able to rotate the top electromagnetically. So the top would run continually, and it'd be much easier to get going.
I wonder what the maths would be? I have a tiny, horrible, suspicion that it goes into chaos theory really quickly, and becomes unmanageable. I could be wrong.
Fascinating! Also I've wondered how are these magnets delivered through the post?
They are shipped from pole to pole.
@@Tom_Quixote 8 years later the joke is made :)
why not use a water leveler?
I have one, but the older version. The version wich the magnetic base as a big black sqare and the blancing method by plastic wedges.
OH TIM YOU'RE SO KOOL
Someone should make a 10 hours video about Tim struggling to make it work. I'd watch that :P
I can't seem to think of any puns on the fly right now... looks like my pun-making days are hover.
It would cost about 1p to make them with a spirit level in it. Even the spike on washing lines have them!
the master of tops
How come weight must be adjustable? Isn't there an optimum weight that the manufacturers could set on the spinning top and have it work for everybody? Or does the optimum weight depend on atmospheric pressure or something like that?
Oh temperetature, Tim explains at the end.
That is brilliant
Incredible!!
Tim: tables aren't level 1:11
THE INSTRUCTIONS SAY SUCC OMG LMAO XD
Jedi Master Tim
I've been looking for a good levitron, does anyone know where I can get one of these?
Tim is great! :D
Lovely to see that ))
Couldnt a spirit level save time
If we put it in a vacuum cylinder and keep it spinning for hours?
Does Tim have any experience in the sciences, he seems to be quite nuanced in regards to to science
+Carofdoom1126 he was some kind of engineer
Who does the camera work and editing for Tim? I'm curious.
In the age of smartphones, you can use the sensors to level the contraption. or take a level
+Mihai Bica The problem is the slight level adjustments are still much too minute for smartphone sensors, or even standard levels to measure correctly. It is easier to just be adjusted by hand.
Okay... Thanks for setting me straight. I use the smartphone for adjustments, but nothing this minute so i just assumed it was sensitive enough...
take a look at one of those electromagnetic floating globes.
I was so frustrated at 7:40 after so many attempts it was spinning and he didn't let it complete.. I wanted to see it coming down on its own