Beginner Guide
If you are looking to get a breakdown on yo-yos, and how to get started, do take some time to read this.
Yo-Yo Styles
Single Handed (1A)
Single Handed Yo-Yos are mostly wide, butterfly shaped Yo-Yos. This is to enable the Yo-Yo to land on the string with ease when performing string tricks. Single Handed Yo-Yos can come in either Metal, Plastic or Wood, and can be responsive or unresponsive.
Double Handed Looping (2A)
Double Handed Looping Yo-Yos are slim, traditional shaped Yo-Yos. This is to enable the Yo-Yo to be able to loop consistently. Double Handed Looping Yo-Yos usually come in Plastic, and are always responsive.
Double Handed String (3A)
Double Handed String Yo-Yos are wide, butterfly shaped Yo-Yos just like Single Handed Yo-Yos. This is to enable the Yo-Yo to land on the string with ease when performing string tricks. Double Handed String Yo-Yos can come in either Metal or Plastic, and are mostly unresponsive.
Offstring (4A)
Offstring Yo-Yos are big, wide, butterfly shaped Yo-Yos that are in a class of its own. This is to enable the Yo-Yo to land on the string with ease when tossing the Yo-Yo high in the air or around the body. Offstring Yo-Yos come in hard Plastic as they are bound to drop frequently, and are mostly responsive with a narrow bearing gap. For this style of play, you do not tie/loop the string onto the yo-yo.
Counterweight (5A)
Counterweight Yo-Yos are mostly wide, butterfly shaped Yo-Yos. This is to enable the Yo-Yo to land on the string with ease when performing string tricks with the Counterweight in motion. Counterweight Yo-Yos can come in either Metal or Plastic, and are usually unresponsive. For this style of play, you do not tie the string to your finger, but to a Counterweight like a Dice or Ball instead.
Adjusting String Length
Step 1
Measure
Place the yo-yo on the floor and pull the string up till it reaches your belly button.
step 2
Cut
Cut off the access string after measuring length from floor to belly button.
Step 3
Tie
You'll need to tie a Dead Knot on your string by bending the string as such, and then holding the string together pretending it is just one single string.
Dead Knot
When tying the Dead Knot, your string should look like this, folding (a) underneath before going over into that loop where the (arrow) is pointed at.
Complete
Your completed Dead Knot should look like this. Once here, tighten the knot.
Step 4
String Loop
Your completed string loop should look just like this. But before you start throwing your yo-yo around, you'll need to make the Slip Knot first.
Slip...
Insert the string from the bottom of the String Loop, through the String Loop.
...knot
Now, pull the inserted string that is through the Loop, lengthening it to make a bigger loop. This adjustable Loop is a Slip Knot, and the arrow points to where you will tie the string onto your finger.
Step 5
Tighten
Place your finger into the Slip Knot loop, and tighten the string onto your finger. Now, you are good to go!
Attaching A Counterweight
Step 1
SETUP
Get a Counterweight and a Yo-Yo String ready.
Step 2
INSERT
Put the end of the string through the Counterweight hole.
Step 3
HOLD
Hold both ends of the string, with the Counterweight hanging in the middle.
Step 4
THREAD
Thread the end of the string through the looped end of the string (similar to how you would do a Slip Knot).
Step 5
PULL
Pull the end of the string, letting the looped end tighten onto the Counterweight. After this, attach the string onto your yo-yo and you are good to go!
Setting It Offstring
Step 1
REMOVE
Remove the string if it is tied to the yo-yo. Then, hold the string end onto the side of the yo-yo, just like how you would wind up an unresponsive yo-yo.
step 2
WIND
Wind up the string just like a regular yo-yo.
Step 3
DONE
After winding, you are done. If there is a short string segment dangling out from the wound yo-yo, fret not. You can proceed to throw it Offstring as planned!
Cleaning Your Bearings
STEP 1
Use a Multitool / Bearing Remover / Pliers to remove the bearing from the yo-yo carefully.
STEP 2
Throw the bearing into a mini jar / container and fill it with Lighter Fluid.
**WARNING: Do handle Lighter Fluid with care!**
STEP 3
Ensure that the Lighter Fluid covers the bearing.
STEP 4
Cover the jar / container and let the bearing soak in the Lighter Fluid. You can give the jar a good shake to ensure the bearing is thoroughly cleaned in the fluid.
STEP 5
After a couple of minutes, remove the bearing from the jar with a pair of tweezers.
STEP 6
Use some paper towels to dab the bearing dry. Once dry, replace the bearing into the yo-yo and either add some Lube, or just proceed to start Spinning.
Lubing Your Bearings
PREPARATIONS
Grab your yo-yos that you wish to add Lube to, be it String yo-yos or Looping yo-yos, and get the right Lube for the job.
LUBING 1A YO-YOS
For String yo-yos, grab your yo-yo and some THIN / LONG SPIN Lube. Add a single drop into the bearing and you are good to go!
LUBING 2A YO-YOS (PART 1)
For Looping yo-yos, grab your yo-yo and some THICK / RESPONSIVE Lube. Remove the bearing from the yo-yo and add a single drop onto the metal axle (close to the Spacer).
LUBING 2A YO-YOS (PART 2)
Next, replace the bearing onto the yo-yo and flood the bearing with Singer Oil. Be careful not to get any of the Oil onto the yo-yo body or response system. If it does get onto the yo-yo body, clean it up to ensure the yo-yo does not 'slip' during looping. After this, pit the yo-yo together and you are good to go!
Resources
Spinworkx First Mount
Click the Link for the Playlist of the Trick Tutorial Videos.
First Mount Playlist
Throw Revolution X Spinworkx Tutorials
Click the Link for the Playlist of the Trick Tutorial Videos.
Trick Tutorial Playlist