# DIY 5A Counterweights? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [March 10, 2023, 10:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696 "2023-03-10T10:49:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RaRa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rara/32/225696_2.png) [@RaRa](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/RaRa)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 10:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/1 "2023-03-10T10:49:57Z")
I want to try my hand at 5a but was wondering if theres a common DIY was to test before ordering any counterweights? If so, what are people using? ---
**Author:** ![p44company](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/p44company/32/253678_2.png) [@p44company](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/p44company)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 10:53am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/2 "2023-03-10T10:53:06Z")
I’ve heard using a rubber duck can do wonders for 5a play ---
**Author:** ![Kray](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kray/32/92176_2.png) [@Kray](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Kray)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 11:02am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/3 "2023-03-10T11:02:10Z")
You can really use everything. Average weight is 10-13g and size maybe 2-3 cm, but this does not hinder you from using anything else 😁. Most beginners use e.g. rubber/bouncy balls or a dice, just drill a hole and done. ---
**Author:** ![GTDropKnot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gtdropknot/32/212400_2.png) [@GTDropKnot](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GTDropKnot)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 12:27pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/4 "2023-03-10T12:27:42Z")
Do you neeeed to drill the hole in to use a d6? Like can I use a longer string and just tie it like it’s Christmas 🎁 ? ---
**Author:** ![GnarlyCharlie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gnarlycharlie/32/279610_2.png) [@GnarlyCharlie](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GnarlyCharlie)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 1:52pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/5 "2023-03-10T13:52:43Z")
I’ve been learning 5A the past couple days. I’d bet that synching down your finger loop around a dice wouldn’t work for long. I could see the string sliding off pretty easily. But you could probably do that and then drip a little superglue on it and it would hold. ---
**Author:** ![mable](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mable/32/194074_2.png) [@mable](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mable)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/6 "2023-03-10T14:31:11Z")
If you have access to a rotary too you can cut a groove around the perimeter to put your slip knot around. Some people might disagree with this, but don’t use anything too big, and don’t use objects that have pronounced lips that could catch onto the string or your clothing, or any pointy bits that could hurt you or things around you. Dice, erasers, and rubber balls are good options. Just because you can use any object doesn’t mean you should, the weirder you get the harder learning will be. Just because a good player uses a rubber duck doesn’t mean it’s a good way to learn as a beginner. ---
**Author:** ![Mystik](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mystik/32/83294_2.png) [@Mystik](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Mystik)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/7 "2023-03-10T15:12:44Z")
> [@mable](#): > > Just because you can …doesn’t mean you should A true lesson to live by. ---
**Author:** ![Orion22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/71e660/32.png) [@Orion22](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Orion22)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/8 "2023-03-10T18:03:45Z")
I’ve been using ones just like this for 14 years. ![IMG_20230310_110141_643](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/1/5/d/15ddb3be1cf0f7265377041f289d2810285b2bc0.jpeg) Just a groove filed into a die with a Leatherman tool. I have never had it slip off in use. ---
**Author:** ![bobafret](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bobafret/32/260814_2.png) [@bobafret](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/bobafret)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/9 "2023-03-10T18:08:18Z")
I spy MtG spindown! ---
**Author:** ![GnarlyCharlie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gnarlycharlie/32/279610_2.png) [@GnarlyCharlie](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GnarlyCharlie)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/10 "2023-03-10T18:22:02Z")
Oooo I never even considered whittling in a groove. Definitely going to try that. ---
**Author:** ![bobafret](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bobafret/32/260814_2.png) [@bobafret](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/bobafret)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 8:36pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/11 "2023-03-10T20:36:37Z")
There are 3D print files available for free too on thingverse and normally your local library will have a 3D printer these days you can use for free ---
**Author:** ![Kray](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kray/32/92176_2.png) [@Kray](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Kray)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/12 "2023-03-10T20:42:53Z")
Boring :joy: ---
**Author:** ![Kray](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kray/32/92176_2.png) [@Kray](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Kray)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/13 "2023-03-10T20:53:13Z")
I am happy to help 5A players within the EU with some free printed ones since I just have a lot designs I did the last years. Shipping overseas is like around 8€. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/8/1/7/8176209c037f0b836f9c239638d27bb52562ad43.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Orion22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/71e660/32.png) [@Orion22](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Orion22)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/14 "2023-03-10T21:51:09Z")
Yeah you do. A bit bigger than a chessex d20 but still might be too light for some going by weights in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![bobafret](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/bobafret/32/260814_2.png) [@bobafret](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/bobafret)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/15 "2023-03-10T22:18:03Z")
Yeah I like more around 11g but those aren’t too bad around 9g. But they look so cool! That’s one of the things I love about my Nicky dunk the D20 cw ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/e/b/b/ebbec53c67a58e124b06c1f63d2f6f0e3fcddf2a.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![RaRa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rara/32/225696_2.png) [@RaRa](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/RaRa)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/16 "2023-03-10T23:21:43Z")
I have a lot of d20s i could try this with! ---
**Author:** ![RaRa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rara/32/225696_2.png) [@RaRa](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/RaRa)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/17 "2023-03-10T23:21:54Z")
Love this! ---
**Author:** ![RaRa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rara/32/225696_2.png) [@RaRa](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/RaRa)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/18 "2023-03-11T00:38:53Z")
I live in Australia, they look so epic though! ---
**Author:** ![Orion22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/71e660/32.png) [@Orion22](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Orion22)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/19 "2023-03-11T00:45:57Z")
Just trace a line around it with a sharpie first so you don’t wander off center like I did on this green one. You will have an easier time filing on the edges first and flats second. Go shallow all the way around first and then deepen the groove to the thickness of your string. I have had the string come off in my pocket a couple times but tucking the CW in the cup of the yoyo when pocketing it seems to mitigate the problem. ---
**Author:** ![RaRa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rara/32/225696_2.png) [@RaRa](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/RaRa)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 5:51am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696/20 "2023-03-11T05:51:24Z")
Ive made a groove, i was wondering how to attach it to fhe string, do you use specific knots? [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/diy-5a-counterweights/371696.md?page=2)