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keju
9th November 2006, 03:14 PM
We have a "thingy" :rolleyes: for making yo yos... but no idea how it's used... no name on the package... no instructions.
Can anyone tell us how to use it or any other way to make a yo yo that actually works? any hints, tricks etc? The one we made look ok, but isn't working well at all.

Thanks
Juvy

Skew ChiDAMN!!
9th November 2006, 03:56 PM
Any chance of a pic?

The easiest way to make a yoyo is to just turn two identical hemispherical(ish) discs and join 'em with a bit of dowel. These have always worked fine for me.

I've never bothered looking twice at the kits I've seen for sale, so I wouldn't really know what's in 'em. :o

baxter
9th November 2006, 04:20 PM
There was a link about Yo Yo's in the Japanese Spinning Top thread about a week ago. Don't know if it gives any details about making but might give a lead.

bitingmidge
9th November 2006, 04:21 PM
I just drop a chisel down the middle till there's an axle left!

Takes a bit of friction on a bit of string to get it smooth, but it works. There's no substitute for proper yo-yo strings (not in the pic).

This one belongs to Caliban, I must post it to him one day! :eek: :eek:
http://www.woodworkforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5722&d=1104393946

P
:D :D :D

soundman
9th November 2006, 10:56 PM
But where do you get proper yoyo strings from?

keju
10th November 2006, 09:06 AM
My brother in law tried the chiseling down method.... they look ok, but just won't work right.
Think we'll try the dowel method next.....

I have heard that it's more in the string then in the yoyo itself too... what exactly is it? What's different then from regular sting ( we tried cotton packaging string) and where does one get it?

By the way.. that's a one really nice looking yoyo!

Thanks for the help
Juvy

soundman
10th November 2006, 10:47 AM
I think the axle needs to be made of long grain for durability.
and the gap needs to be quite small.

I remember some kids at school wearing thru yoyo axles from use.

I don't know the deal with the string but it needs to be laid up in a loop.
so it is a two strand string.

I remember it being quite fine and soft.... so I'd expect cotton may be linnen.

But I think the lay and the strand length would be important.

I remember kids at school trying to use home made strings without sucess.

cheers

keju
10th November 2006, 11:51 AM
I've only had plastic yo yos as a kid, never a wooden one, so I just don't know.
How would you tie that string when the gap is really small? How would you get the inside walls really smooth so the string doesn't snag? Thought this might be the reason for making two halves and connecting them with a dowel?

Juvy

Terry B
10th November 2006, 12:47 PM
I've only had plastic yo yos as a kid, never a wooden one, so I just don't know.
How would you tie that string when the gap is really small? How would you get the inside walls really smooth so the string doesn't snag? Thought this might be the reason for making two halves and connecting them with a dowel?

Juvy
The strings are not tied. They are made by looping one long piece of string bach on itself. The string is then twisted and allowed to twist back on itself. Hard to explain. It is done the same way as making rope but with only 2 strands.

bitingmidge
10th November 2006, 01:42 PM
But where do you get proper yoyo strings from?
Places like this:

http://www.orbit.com.au/yoboy/accessories.htm (South Australia)

http://www.yoyoguy.com/yoyo/string/index.shtml?frame

http://www.yoyostrings.com/page3.html

Or maybe toyworld here in Aus?

P

bitingmidge
10th November 2006, 01:46 PM
I've only had plastic yo yos as a kid, never a wooden one, so I just don't know.
How would you tie that string when the gap is really small? How would you get the inside walls really smooth so the string doesn't snag? Thought this might be the reason for making two halves and connecting them with a dowel?
How strings work (and bearing yo-yo's too, but I haven't tried them yet)
http://www.spintastics.com/Yo-Yo_and_Top_Tips.asp

I had no problems with smoothing the sides, I used a fine strip of sandpaper for the axle, then burnished it with a bit of singlet and wax.

Making two halves is the usual method, I just don't have the patience!

I will try a bearing kit one day, (from Lee Valley)
cheers,

P:D

keju
10th November 2006, 09:25 PM
Terry - I understood exactly what you said .... used to make ropes for bags and stuff out of cotton embroidery floss... those are made by two people holding the string and twisting it... when it's tight enough you grab it in the middle and let it twirl around itself. In the yo yo case I'd think you "grab" the middle with the axel, then let the string go?

Maybe there's hope I can do this myself.

Off to check out all the sites you guys send

thanks
Juvy