Dave's Yo-Yo Talk
Beginner's Yo-Yo FAQ and Answers

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Here are some brief answers to some of the questions you may have about the care and use of your Yo-Yos.

Fixed axle yo-yos are called such because the yo-yo's axle does not in itself have moving parts. The axle does not spin independently of the sides. The axle spins in the loop at the bottom of the string. The fixed axles were traditionally made out of wood but other materials are also used. In a Transaxle yo-yo the axle has outer and inner parts which move independently. The outer part is actually the transaxle which spins around the inner axle. The string then hugs the outer part. These transaxles are made of various materials as well (brass, nylon, Teflon). Ball Bearing yo-yos are a kind of transaxle which uses ball bearings. A ball bearing consists of a inner and outer race which are separated by a series of small balls. Functionally fixed axle yo-yos are more responsive and are better at looping tricks, whereas transaxles excel at sleeping/string tricks. In general, sleeve transaxles sleep longer than fixed axles, and ball bearing transaxles sleep longer than sleeve transaxles. Centrifugal clutch transaxles (Brains, X-Brains, Black Mambas) consist of a transaxle and a clutch mechanism which opens up to allow the yo-yo to sleep when the yo-yo is spinning at high speeds, but as the yo-yo slows the clutch engages, stopping the transaxle from spinning and returning the yo-yo to the hand.
 
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Fixed Axle - Your string is probably too loose. Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty applies in yo-yos just like everywhere else. Let your yo-yo hang down and spin it to the right just a bit. Now it should come back.
Transaxle - Many transaxles require lube to make them return. Use a little Yomega Brain lube or Vaseline Lip Therapy between the transaxle and the axle. In addition many transaxle yo-yos recommend double looping your string (see, How do I change my string?). If you have a Brake Pad Technology (BPT) yo-yo from Playmaxx you may need to change your Brake Pads.
 
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Because of the reduced amount of friction transaxles can be very difficult to wind up. One technique is to hold the yo-yo in your left hand and place your left forefinger in the string gap. Wind it over your finger three or four times and then remove your finger. Continue to wind the yo-yo. One throw down to clear the string is now in order and your yo-yo is ready to go.
 

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There could be many different reasons. Your throw down must be cushioned out at the bottom or the bounce at the end of the string will cause the yo-yo to rewind. Try throwing at a point three feet in front of you. Throws straight down are difficult to sleep. So the problem could be technique. If you have a fixed axle it might be double looped which prevents sleeping. Or the string could be woud too tightly around the axle. Let it hang down and spin it to the left to loosen the strings grip on the axle. On a transaxle the string might have slid between the transaxle/bearing and the yo-yo half. So check the yo-yo's string for those conditions.
 

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Practice! That's it. The straighter and more exact your sleeper the longer it will sleep. And the only way to throw hard straight sleepers is to practice. Oh, you want an easier answer. If you have an adjustable gap yo-yo you could make the gap wider. Or, you can clean your bearing. Use 90% and above Isopropyl Alcohol, Radio Shack Professional Tape Head Cleaner, Goof Off, even lighter fluid to clean out all of the lubrication from your bearing. Just soak it over night, shaking it occasionally. Sometimes repeated cleaning will be necessary. A clean bearing will spin longer. Bear in mind that these are chemicals and should be used with caution. And children should get parental permission and supervision before using any of these substances. And If you really want longer sleepers Practice!
 

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As long as you can make it. Really. I mean certain yo-yos sleep longer comparatively to other yo-yos but skill is the determining factor. Some yo-yos are known for their long sleeps (Cold Fusion, Samurai), but a truly skilled thrower with a Turbo Bumble Bee I'm sure could out sleep me with a Cold Fusion. And as long as you can make it sleep long enough to do a trick, what else matters?
 

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Before it breaks is a good rule of thumb. Make sure to inspect the string where it makes the slip knot at your finger. Looping especially can weaken the string there. Also replace the string whenever it looks dirty or frayed or becomes stiff. After a while you will develop a feel for how long you can use a particular string.
 

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To take the old string off, pinch the string a couple of inches above the yo-yo and spin it to the left until the string opens u. Slip your fingers into the gap in the strings and slide the old string off. Now take your new string and gently untwist it until you can insert your thumb and forefinger in the loop at the bottom. Slip this loop over the yo-yo and onto the axle. Keep a little tension on the string so it retwists correctly. To double loop do the same procedure, but after you slip the loop onto the yo-yo, twist it once and put it back on again.
 

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Some yo-yos seem to perform better with different kinds of string. Strings vary in both thickness and materials. Try various kinds to see what you prefer. Generally they are referred to by a type number which indicates how many individual strands are involved in making up the string (Type 6, Type 8, etc.).
 

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There are a multitude of different shapes in which yo-yos are produced. However, most yo-yos can be grouped generally into three categories. The first, and the shape which has been around the longest is the imperial (classic, traditional) shape. This shape yo-yo is characterized by a narrow string gap, and is considered the best looper of the three. The next shape is the butterfly (wing, GT, saber) shape. It can be summarized as an imperial yo-yo reversed. It has a very large string gap and is quite easy to land on the string. The other main shape is the modified (modern, Proyo) shape. It combines the best of both worlds. Rounded rims make it relatively easy to land for string tricks, but its slim profile makes it an adept looper as well. In addition its rim weighting allows it to sleep for long periods of time.
 
Name
Shape
Characteristics
Examples
imperial
( )
Good Looper, Narrow Gap
Team Losi da Bomb

Duncan Imperial

BC Rainbow
butterfly
) (
Big Gap, Poor Looper, Great for String tricks
Playmaxx Stunt Pilot

Henry's Viper

Spintastics Tiger Shark
modified
] [
Long sleeping, Rim weighted, All Around Shape
Playmaxx Turbo Bumble Bee

Spintastics Technic

Custom Axl
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Eventually you will develop a callous on your yo-finger that will protect your finger and prevent yo-yo use from causing you pain. In the interim you can use medical tape or Yomega Yo-Tape to protect your finger. In addition moving the slip knot slightly on your finger can give areas in pain some relief. Finally take breaks as needed until your callous develops.
 

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Those gloves allow the string to slide easily over the fingers of your non-yoing hand, which facilitates many tricks. In addition the string can rub and cut the fingers of your non-yo hand, especially in humid weather. In that case wearing the glove protects those fingers from harm. Bear in mind that these gloves are generally worn on the non-dominant hand (left hand for right handed yoers, right hand for left handed yoers).
 
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This web site should suffice for all of yo-yo link needs.
 
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There is no right answer to this question. Every yo-yo and yoer is different. Yo-yos I might love, others might hate. And vice versa. The important thing is to find the right yo-yo for your style, tastes, and level of development. Reviews and opinions posted online by others can be a source of information for anyone considering a purchase, but ultimately it will be up to YOU to decide what yo-yo is right for you. Unfortunately, if you live in an area without access to venues where yo-yos can be tried out, then some chances will have to be taken with purchases. Those experiences however will contribute to your development as an informed yo-yo consumer and prevent purchasing mistakes in the future.
 

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The most complete yo-yo history available online is the Proyo History Page.
 

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Questions or Comments should be directed to the FAQ Editor.