# Boise woodworks fixed axle? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [February 6, 2025, 3:20pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685 "2025-02-06T15:20:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WantsLyfe93](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/wantslyfe93/32/608862_2.png) [@WantsLyfe93](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/WantsLyfe93)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 3:20pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/1 "2025-02-06T15:20:01Z")
Hey guys , i recently purchased a a fixed axle from BoiseWoodworks, and for the life of me, cant get it to perform the way i want to. Was curious if any of you guys were able to get it to work for you? I tried double looping and still cant get it to respond well. Anything you can recommend? ---
**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/2 "2025-02-06T15:25:19Z")
Chapstick or Vaseline on the loop end of the string can help. The Boise wood needs a bit of a thicker 100% cotton string. I believe type 10 cotton is pretty decent for them [100 Count - 100% Cotton - YoYoExpert String](https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/products/100-count-100-cotton-yoyoexpert-string?variant=21975146628) However throw yo @rkalajian nectars are also fantastic on these ---
**Author:** ![SlowThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slowthrow/32/307451_2.png) [@SlowThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SlowThrow)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/3 "2025-02-06T15:31:20Z")
I have yet to see this mentioned but I have been loving zipper wax on my No Jive ![IMG_4497](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/d/d/6/dd60ab065c97487e7378fb7faee1e151035af053.jpeg) Not the exact brand I have been using (some JungleMart no name) but it works awesome. It’s just plain wax/ chapstick without the additives of regular chapstick. I use this with YYEs red and black string I bought it originally for all the zippers on my Jeep (97 soft top with half doors: zippers _everywhere_) and it’s like magic. Also, it should be noted: I am terrible at fixed axle but I do love them ---
**Author:** ![kretzschmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kretzschmar/32/668707_2.png) [@kretzschmar](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kretzschmar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/4 "2025-02-06T15:31:56Z")
Brandon is right, after using type 10 cotton and a butt ton of Chapstick, it responds like normal. Be liberal with the chapstick. I believe it’s a buy product of the gap size and axle size needing to be smaller. I spoke with owner and he said he would make them to a customers specs anytime. Real nice dude. ---
**Author:** ![WantsLyfe93](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/wantslyfe93/32/608862_2.png) [@WantsLyfe93](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/WantsLyfe93)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/5 "2025-02-06T15:46:13Z")
Thank you so much guys. I will be trying these options out and will report my update. Trying to go wood for FAF. From what I hear, wood is good ---
**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 3:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/6 "2025-02-06T15:48:39Z")
Yeah rich is a cool dude. He’s been getting better at making these. ---
**Author:** ![SlowThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slowthrow/32/307451_2.png) [@SlowThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SlowThrow)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 3:51pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/7 "2025-02-06T15:51:28Z")
Apparently Tom Kuhn went through every material he could find including special polymers from NASA and concluded that birch wood is, in fact, the best axle material for a fixie. This was brought up in Doc Luckys interview of him for his podcast. Here’s the part of the interview: [https://youtu.be/8YYPCEZpi28?si=SOxJsb7\_0XyUnDFf&t=31m46s](https://youtu.be/8YYPCEZpi28?si=SOxJsb7_0XyUnDFf&t=31m46s) Interview starts at 18:15 if you wanna see the whole thing ---
**Author:** ![kretzschmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kretzschmar/32/668707_2.png) [@kretzschmar](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kretzschmar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/8 "2025-02-06T16:03:15Z")
He asked me what an optimal size axle and gap would be. I told him I am dumb but that a Duncan Butterfly gap and axle works for me, but that I was unsure if a wooden able that small would hold up since the Butterfly has a metal axle. Any advice appreciated ---
**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:15pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/9 "2025-02-06T16:15:15Z")
This is where folks like @Eric_Newlin , @anon5341354 , and even @TryCatchThrow probably know better than I ---
**Author:** ![WantsLyfe93](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/wantslyfe93/32/608862_2.png) [@WantsLyfe93](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/WantsLyfe93)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:32pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/10 "2025-02-06T16:32:20Z")
Odd question, but is double wrapping the axle frowned upon during FAF? lol ---
**Author:** ![kretzschmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kretzschmar/32/668707_2.png) [@kretzschmar](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kretzschmar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/11 "2025-02-06T16:34:10Z")
It’s harder for me to do it with a double wrap. If you can, that’s actually pretty cool ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/12 "2025-02-06T16:34:58Z")
The modern Butterfly axle is usually around 6mm diameter at the gap. If replacing it with a wood dowel you would use 1/4” (6.35mm). There are woods where 1/4” axle is fine. I prefer 5/16” (8mm) axles for many throws as they are a bit more resilient. Edit: For gap I like 2.6mm. It’s a hair smaller than a 2 cent gap (which is apparently 3mm). ---
**Author:** ![kretzschmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kretzschmar/32/668707_2.png) [@kretzschmar](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kretzschmar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/13 "2025-02-06T16:43:28Z")
Sweet, thank you, I passed that one ---
**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/14 "2025-02-06T17:02:12Z")
No it’s a preference thing. ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/15 "2025-02-06T17:27:04Z")
Double wrapping is fine. For metal axles in particular I prefer it for response adjustment to beeswax or other methods. I find for most wood axles, double wrapping will stop the throw from sleeping, which is **usually** undesirable. ---
**Author:** ![Eric\_Newlin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/eric_newlin/32/598950_2.png) [@Eric\_Newlin](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Eric_Newlin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 11:10pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/16 "2025-02-06T23:10:25Z")
@kretzschmar 1/4” walnut axles are fairly common in fixies. It gives a nice long spin time, and walnut is fairly durable. Standard TMBR axles are 1/4” walnut. But I _have_ had instances where a 1/4” walnut axle breaks. I don’t usually put throws with this thin of an axle in my pocket, for example - just in case. I really like a 5/16” hickory axle. Hickory is really durable and that extra 1/16” also adds a surprising amount to the overall durability. This diameter does slightly reduce spin time, but I still find it great for modern fixed axle/0a. Unless Glen changed anything, all my Spinworthy axles are 8mm, which is basically 5/16”. Maple also makes for a good axle, if you’re not throwing aggressively for massive spin times (which might burn a line in the wood). It has a pleasant responsiveness to it. Using _hard_ maple would help avoid line burn issues. Jon Gates uses maple for his axles. And like was said before, birch can be really good too. Although I think that the type of birch matters here. Yellow birch is slightly harder, more resilient, and less likely to get a burned line. White birch can sometimes be too soft. And birch is often not labeled in the US, which makes it extra confusing. For gaps, I usually like 2.20-2.25mm for a yoyo with response holes. A higher wall yoyo could have a slightly wider gap. ---
**Author:** ![kretzschmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kretzschmar/32/668707_2.png) [@kretzschmar](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kretzschmar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/17 "2025-02-06T23:20:03Z")
> [@Eric\_Newlin](#): > > 1/4” walnut axles are fairly common in fixies. It gives a nice long spin time, and walnut is fairly durable. Standard TMBR axles are 1/4” walnut. But I _have_ had instances where a 1/4” walnut axle breaks. I don’t usually put throws with this thin of an axle in my pocket, for example - just in case. > > I really like a 5/16” hickory axle. Hickory is really durable and that extra 1/16” also adds a surprising amount to the overall durability. This diameter does slightly reduce spin time, but I still find it great for modern fixed axle/0a. Unless Glen changed anything, all my Spinworthy axles are 8mm, which is basically 5/16”. > > Maple also makes for a good axle, if you’re not throwing aggressively for massive spin times (which might burn a line in the wood). It has a pleasant responsiveness to it. Using _hard_ maple would help avoid line burn issues. Jon Gates uses maple for his axles. > > And like was said before, birch can be really good too. Although I think that the type of birch matters here. Yellow birch is slightly harder, more resilient, and less likely to get a burned line. White birch can sometimes be too soft. And birch is often not labeled in the US, which makes it extra confusing. > > For gaps, I usually like 2.20-2.25mm for a yoyo with response holes. A higher wall yoyo could have a slightly wider gap. Passing this along as well, thank you so much. He said he will try to make some prototypes ---
**Author:** ![WantsLyfe93](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/wantslyfe93/32/608862_2.png) [@WantsLyfe93](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/WantsLyfe93)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 12:29am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/18 "2025-02-07T00:29:16Z")
All of you guys are super heroes, thank you ---
**Author:** ![Splizacular](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/splizacular/32/640487_2.png) [@Splizacular](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Splizacular)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 1:04am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/19 "2025-02-07T01:04:31Z")
tbf nothing is really “frowned upon”. whatever you need/want to do to enjoy your toy is fine! ---
**Author:** ![Pun1sh3R](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/pun1sh3r/32/193125_2.png) [@Pun1sh3R](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Pun1sh3R)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685/20 "2025-02-08T15:24:47Z")
I know Mr. Eric did several wood type experiments on my Bandaid Gnomad! [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/boise-woodworks-fixed-axle/418685.md?page=2)