# Gradient finger grinding problems **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [December 6, 2014, 4:28pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185 "2014-12-06T16:28:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TheArcadeKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ba0ec/32.png) [@TheArcadeKid](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheArcadeKid)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2014, 4:28pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/1 "2014-12-06T16:28:17Z")
Hey so i got a OD Gradient in the mail yesterday and have been extremely pleased with it, smooth play great grinding, and long spin time. but just this morning when i keep trying to do a simple finger grind the string wants to all bunch up in the gap and bind!!! why? also when I just pull on the string when in a sleeper, the string will bunch up in the gap (not always binding but sometimes) but when I fist unpacked it the string was almost like it didnt want anything to do with the gap šŸ™‚ it would go anywhere but the gap, this is part of the reason it WAS so good at the grindsā€¦? Any help? ---
**Author:** ![S3TH](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/s3th/32/260337_2.png) [@S3TH](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/S3TH)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2014, 5:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/2 "2014-12-06T17:08:28Z")
Did you lube the bearing? it always happens to me every time i lube my bearings or when its brand new and needs breaking in. ---
**Author:** ![GregP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gregp/32/1192_2.png) [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2014, 5:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/3 "2014-12-06T17:21:13Z")
One Drop 10 balls get responsive VERY QUICKLY when theyā€™re new out of the box. Sometimes only a few throws, sometimes an hour. You need to ā€œbreak it inā€ or clean it (yes, already). A drop of lube helps this process, BUT it will contribute to the responsiveness of that yoyo until itā€™s also broken in. ---
**Author:** ![kadabrium](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kadabrium/32/1522_2.png) [@kadabrium](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kadabrium)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2014, 6:29pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/4 "2014-12-06T18:29:26Z")
clean it and then gyroflop ---
**Author:** ![xiaoxiao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/85e7bf/32.png) [@xiaoxiao](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/xiaoxiao)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/5 "2014-12-06T23:40:33Z")
I just got a gradient. My bearingā€™s loudā€¦Iā€™m too lazy to do anything and canā€™t find the oil eitherā€¦ Switched bearing out. Mineā€™s REALLY vibey either way. And itā€™s new, tooā€¦ ā˜¹ You want to clean the bearing. Pretty simple stuff. ---
**Author:** ![FullthrottleFRS](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/fullthrottlefrs/32/1551_2.png) [@FullthrottleFRS](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FullthrottleFRS)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 1:12am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/6 "2014-12-07T01:12:14Z")
> [@xiaoxiao](#): > > I just got a gradient. My bearingā€™s loudā€¦Iā€™m too lazy to do anything and canā€™t find the oil eitherā€¦ Switched bearing out. Mineā€™s REALLY vibey either way. And itā€™s new, tooā€¦ ā˜¹ > > You want to clean the bearing. Pretty simple stuff. Since the Gradient has side effects, have you tried tuning it by rotating one of the side effects? What I mean is unscrew it, then pop out one side effect and rotate like 1/8 of a turn. Screw it back together, give it a few throws. Repeat those steps until itā€™s smooth, sometimes youā€™ll need tiny turns instead of a full 1/8. And keep turning the same side effect every time in the same direction. Just saying this because all of my side effect throws can be pretty vibey if I donā€™t tune them right. ---
**Author:** ![xiaoxiao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/85e7bf/32.png) [@xiaoxiao](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/xiaoxiao)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 1:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/7 "2014-12-07T01:13:23Z")
> [@FullthrottleFRS](#): > > Since the Gradient has side effects, have you tried tuning it by rotating one of the side effects? What I mean is unscrew it, then pop out one side effect and rotate like 1/8 of a turn. Screw it back together, give it a few throws. Repeat those steps until itā€™s smooth, sometimes youā€™ll need tiny turns instead of a full 1/8. And keep turning the same side effect every time in the same direction. > > Just saying this because all of my side effect throws can be pretty vibey if I donā€™t tune them right. .\_. Thanks! Yea, Iā€™m sorta new to OD yoyos. ---
**Author:** ![GregP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gregp/32/1192_2.png) [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 2:21am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/8 "2014-12-07T02:21:15Z")
Co-sign on the ā€œrotate side effectsā€ technique. My Gradient had vibe until I did this, and I found a ā€œsweet spotā€ with almost zero vibe within a minute. ---
**Author:** ![nolangherity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d6d6ee/32.png) [@nolangherity](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/nolangherity)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 2:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/9 "2014-12-07T02:49:36Z")
> [@GregP](#): > > Co-sign on the ā€œrotate side effectsā€ technique. My Gradient had vibe until I did this, and I found a ā€œsweet spotā€ with almost zero vibe within a minute. welp, time to mess with my mmc. ---
**Author:** ![NathanC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nathanc/32/891_2.png) [@NathanC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/NathanC)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 3:12am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/10 "2014-12-07T03:12:57Z")
How have we not moved past the dreaded OD 10-balls yet? Seriously theyā€™re just not good. ---
**Author:** ![samcordell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/samcordell/32/1539_2.png) [@samcordell](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/samcordell)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 3:59am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/11 "2014-12-07T03:59:57Z")
> [@NathanC](#): > > How have we not moved past the dreaded OD 10-balls yet? Seriously theyā€™re just not good. Are you kidding me? They are the messiah of flat bearings. Wash them in clean water and dish soap, rinse, dry, lube with pin: They are the smoothest thing ever. Never had problems. Owned 10+ ---
**Author:** ![yoyoboy224](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/f14d63/32.png) [@yoyoboy224](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyoboy224)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 4:55am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/12 "2014-12-07T04:55:27Z")
> [@samcordell](#): > > Are you kidding me? They are the messiah of flat bearings. Wash them in clean water and dish soap, rinse, dry, lube with pin: They are the smoothest thing ever. Never had problems. Owned 10+ AIGRā€™s doeā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Gym\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Gym\_Kirk](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Gym_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 5:06am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/13 "2014-12-07T05:06:25Z")
If itā€™s a new throw you shouldnā€™t have to tune the SE. My guess is that it isnā€™t screwed on tight enough. SE yo-yos need to be screwed on tighter. Also if you take the SE out its recommended you add a bit of lube to the rubber part of the SE. It helps it to seat correctly reducing the chance of vibe. Out of the 7 new SE throws Iā€™ve had, I havenā€™t had to do any type of tuning. Two of them had the loud bearing issue. I put a drop of lube in it and the sound was gone. Too much lube makes it responsive. ---
**Author:** ![Jgarcia05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jgarcia05](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jgarcia05)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 11:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/14 "2014-12-07T11:13:58Z")
Iā€™d have to say with how you described how the string bunches up,its definitely the bearing acting too responsive. Just take it out, give it a good clean, dry, donā€™t lube unless is really loud (Iā€™ve never had to lube any od 10balls, they always sound and play smooth right after being properly cleaned), and you should be good to go. Iā€™ve had this exact problem too many times before and itā€™s always been the besring. Try this and or some of the other suggestions and let us know if the problem is fixed. Good luck and keep us updated! šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![TheArcadeKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ba0ec/32.png) [@TheArcadeKid](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheArcadeKid)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/15 "2014-12-07T18:46:52Z")
Thanks guys for all the help, I will try cleaning it! One more question: which do you prefer to do to clean, soap and water or lighter fluid? ( i have both lol) ---
**Author:** ![GregP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gregp/32/1192_2.png) [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/16 "2014-12-07T18:58:08Z")
I have not used lighter fluid; but given the choice between similar solvents (like mineral spirits) and soap/water, I generally prefer the solvent. I do use detergent (soap) in the ultrasonic cleaner when I bother with the ultrasonic cleaner, though. :wink: As for the brand-newness of the Gradient, that has little to do with whether the SEs need tuning or not. Itā€™s not like after a couple of months, vibe ā€œgrowsā€ in the yoyo. If itā€™s a bit vibey to begin with for whatever reason, thereā€™s nothing wrong with attempting to tune it right away. You CAN tighten SE yoyos more than most other yoyos, though, and you should indeed do that! ---
**Author:** ![TheArcadeKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ba0ec/32.png) [@TheArcadeKid](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheArcadeKid)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/17 "2014-12-07T19:04:51Z")
Thanks! gonna go clean it now xD ---
**Author:** ![TheArcadeKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ba0ec/32.png) [@TheArcadeKid](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheArcadeKid)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 7:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/18 "2014-12-07T19:33:28Z")
Okayyyyyy so now its even worseā€¦ ?!?!?! i clean the bearing dry it all out make sure everything is perfect and its even more responsive now? I really hope its not brokenā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![HydriDeSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/35a633/32.png) [@HydriDeSC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/HydriDeSC)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 10:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/19 "2014-12-07T22:55:26Z")
> [@TheArcadeKid](#): > > Okayyyyyy so now its even worseā€¦ > ?!?!?! i clean the bearing dry it all out make sure everything is perfect and its even more responsive now? > I really hope its not brokenā€¦ What did you use to clean it? I like to use 100% acetone to clean my bearings Also, are your bearings shielded or unshielded? ---
**Author:** ![TheArcadeKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ba0ec/32.png) [@TheArcadeKid](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheArcadeKid)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2014, 11:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185/20 "2014-12-07T23:24:14Z")
lighter fluid, and sheilded. i didnt want to remove them for fear of breaking itā€¦ šŸ˜› [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/gradient-finger-grinding-problems/71185.md?page=2)