Anyone tried copying Brand Name string? Like Great Whites, kitty string ect???
I just suck I want to start spinning but every time I make a string the bottom loop’s strings separate and get around the bearing I need a person to set me strait
you need to twist it more
Has anybody tried rayon
Well why would you want to do that? Is there something you could improve about it that would create a better string? Would more people prefer yours’ over the original because of this improved design? If you answered no to either of these questions, you should just leave them alone.
I would focus on creating original formulas if I were you
Alright, y’all. I’m now making strings I’m really happy with, just a few for myself here and there. I went for thick 12x string, a 50/50 blend of Coats and Clark Dual Duty XP poly and their overlock spun poly. Works really nicely, with a bit of roughness for a nice and present feel in play, but not too rough or slick so the binds feel good, gives a better throw without a big “thunk” at the bottom, and it lasts a long time.
Even thought the Dual Duty XP is really expensive, I figure these strings need to last 2.5x longer than a Kitty String to make them economical. And they do. Because $0.44 per string (6x Dual Duty XP, 6x overlock, not ordered online but that would be cheaper) seemed steep at first. But then, because I’m rolling my own, I can do geeky stuff like custom match the string color to the yoyo color. Sweet.
String making is highly addictive.
There is NO limit to colour mixes, material combinations, etc.
You have been warned. 8)
/paul
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spinning purple cotton with some lime poly … joker string ;D
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Or you could call it Hulk Smash string. 
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Then sell it to the CLYW Hulk Smash Man :).
Haha cool I just made some to match my pink and teal acid washed dark magic 2
Haha, thanks, man. Your tips here have been super helpful.
The next issue I have is figuring out what most affects how a string holds its string tension… mixing materials, choice of string material, and variations in string making techniques. Gotta test these sometime.
I have tried using rayon to make strings. I like the overall feel of the string, but atthe same time the only string I have ever bought is normal poly, so I don’t have much in the way of comparison. The only issue I have is it seems to be weak and also kind of expensive. I remember asking buddy jim once if he had ever used rayon, and he said he had, but thought embroidery thread had a similar feel, but was cheaper and stronger. I could not find his exact response, but here is a thread where he talks about a few different string types including embroidery thread.
Not a string-maker myself, but some of the Toxic literature seems to indicate that the tightness of the twist is a determining factor. Seems to be true-ish when I use my BG1’s (looser twist and accurately advertised as holding tension well; of course there are no miracles). Certainly worth experimenting with!
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This certainly makes sense. I’ll test that out.
Quite interesting if I do say so myself
The amount of tightness in a string makes a big difference in how it plays. Say you make two strings out of the exact same thread. You twist one 10 inches, and you twist the other 20 inches. The string twisted 20 inches will play faster, but the string twisted 10 inches will retain tension longer before it needs to be adjusted.
Basically in my experience Tighter=Faster, Loser=Better Tension Control
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I decided to try making some string over the weekend and have found the same thing. Materials make a difference as does the twist down length and the holding tension while twisting.
I’ve made some each day and tried many out. Lets you tweak a personal preference if you want to put in the time and maybe discover you like something you would have never known otherwise.
I’ve found the tighter twist giving more TPI (turns per inch) does speed up whips and the likes even on standard light and soft thread.
Yet with some denser (I’m guessing its denser, it’s trilobal) and more plastic feeling poly mixed in, it really speeds up. All trilobal thread or similar and it is really fast but gets a more aggressive texture on your fingers. This softens up some with a few minutes of play at least.
If you couldn’t easily land hidemasa hook with this stuff, it’s you… LOL.
Leaving it at 12" twist on a 12 strand made it more comfortable, though a bit fatter. At 15" twist its about the same. 18" and 22" its noticeably thinner but more aggressive on your fingers and cord like and super fast on whips and big open loops on suicides and the likes. How much twist affects break in and where it will end up after play too. Mine seems to thin out some after play and as mentioned, a higher tension to start with may cause more un-tensioning as you play. I haven’t played any long enough to notice much in this area yet.
So mixing either a Maxilock or Surelock (light, soft), and then a C&C trilobal (hard, slick, heavier) or my favorite, Signature Pixelles from Japan (slick, soft, heavier), yields some nice string imho!
From 8 strand to 14 strand I’ve found good playable string using any of the above. Just depends on your preference. Usually from 15" of twist to 18" is where I’m liking it for 10 and 12 strands.
The more trilobal or Pixelles you add the less ‘boing’ in your string, as it takes the stretch out. The more you add the more it gets like Dragon string, which I also like. 100% Signature reminds me of Dragon a lot. Slick, fast whips/suicides, soft (after break-in), no stretch, washable to like new 2 or 3 times.
The C&C Dual Duty XP is good stuff too. Feels like a stiff cotton if 100% XP thread to me. Goes well mixing with the others too and whips/suicides better than the maxilock/surelock alone.
edit to add:
If you like a softer string all surelock (12 strand) and released all at once to kink, is rather soft like Kitty string. If you pinch it down every 8" to 10" it is less soft. I’ve found the other polyester like trilobal or the Signature it’s best to pinch it down every 10" to keep the string tension even.
I would recommend anyone trying it out if you’ve wanted too! It was worth it to me already. After the initial frustration of learning anything new, it quickly yields worthwhile results if you pay attention. It’s not hard at all to setup a board with a few hooks if you have a drill or dremel, then you’re all set! Take notes and review your strings, it’s fun. Geeky, but fun.
Plus the 1st time you play your own string you really like, you get the satisfaction reserved only for those who have done the same.
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Awesome observations man! Great post!
The thing I REALLy love about this thread is that it contains tonnes of info for both the “person who wants to make string just for themselves” as well as the “i can so make this stuff amazing and sell it!”
The mobile world is full of sharing. Let’s keep this rolling.
How about we move into people posting questions they may have about the process, the business, whatever. The ONLY two questions I won’t answer is what threads I use and what my rigs look like.
Other than that it’s fair game!
Fire away and anyone will answer!
/paul