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
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Measure
Place the yo-yo on the floor and pull the string up till it reaches your belly button.
step 2
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Cut
Cut off the access string after measuring length from floor to belly button.
Step 3
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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.
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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.
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Complete
Your completed Dead Knot should look like this. Once here, tighten the knot.
Step 4
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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.
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Slip…
Insert the string from the bottom of the String Loop, through the String Loop.
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…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
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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
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SETUP
Get a Counterweight and a Yo-Yo String ready.
Step 2
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INSERT
Put the end of the string through the Counterweight hole.
Step 3
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HOLD
Hold both ends of the string, with the Counterweight hanging in the middle.
Step 4
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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
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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
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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
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WIND
Wind up the string just like a regular yo-yo.
Step 3
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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