“If I was able to hand make my yoyos the same quality or better at a smaller cost or in less time (time is the biggest killer with hand turned), I would definitely make them cheaper for customers. I’d really like to do that.”
I said this in another thread and it’s given me an idea for a new model. I want to make something that can be made in much less time, by economising certain elements of my yoyos.
To make it more time efficient I will:
source wood that does not require me to reduce its thickness
Make a simpler shape with less measuring and required cuts
Remove response holes around the axle and thin the gap instead
use a pre-made 1/4" walnut axle instead of handturning custom axles out of the same material as the body.
I would either call it the ‘Skinflint’ or the ‘Jettison’. Which name do you like better?
I would like it to be around $30 shipped to the US.
I will never fully understand “response” on wooden yo-yos… because some of the Tom Kuhns I have are super glossy both inside and out, zero response holes, zero friction stickers, and most of the time they play fine.
I guess it’s all about the string having tension and wanting to curl up on itself.
It’s interesting, for sure! I know how to make a wooden yoyo that responds consistently, but there are some recipes that work even though my experience tells me they shouldn’t.
Made a small round nosed scraper in order to make a UHMWPE Ballsy for @Myk_Myk. It will help me to make smoother curved recesses to take some of the weight out of the face of it. It will also enable me to make more curved unresponsive cups, too.
Made from sturdy merbau, the main purpose for this model is to offer a cheaper option to my US customers. It’s been something I wanted to do for quite a while now.
The Skinflint can be sold at a cut price due to a number of factors:
The material used is purchased at the required thickness and therefore does not require me to turn it thinner.
the turning process has been simplified
the axle is a 1/4" walnut dowel instead of the regular 7mm hand turned axle from the same species as the body.
it is sanded to slightly lower grit than usual, saving time. (It still feels smooth)
the yoyo is left unfinished (no oil).
Although these compromises have been made, the performance is still excellent; on par with my more expensive model, the Harbinger.
Hopefully this may entice more would-be Spinworthy purchasers to try their hand at fixed axle yoyoing!
