I hand turn my own yoyos, and when I have a whole day of producing them (like today), I go into this weird yoyo making robot state where I mechanically perform the motions without thought or feeling.
I assume for you guys that make metal yoyos, the whole assembling/testing/packaging stage would be a very similar experience for you.
I work in a machine shop and have similar autopilot episodes. You just get in a groove with a good audiobook going and suddenly 6 hours go by and it’s time for dinner (I work 2nd shift)
But I bet you fall into a very robotic state so as to effectively do nothing.
You know it’s a developed skill to do nothing and make it look easy.
My secret is gold.
When I am doing something; I pretend that I am doing nothing.
Then at the end of the day; if I accomplish anything; I feel really good about that.
No matter how bad it comes out. If it amounts to anything resembling progress; it is better than nothing.
… On a more serious note. Years ago when I was really Modding yoyos; not only did I mod stuff for hours. But I would completely lose track of what time it was. I didn’t think about eating or drinking anything. I would seldom even think about random non-yoyo related thoughts.
I would just concentrate on cutting up stuff very, very accurately.
You become your own manual cad program. It’s a Zen like thing.
Not yoyo making but I’m very famiar with this trance like state as I enter it sometimes when blowing glass.
I agree that I tend to do some of my best work like this. My spinning is so much more even and less shaky. Never done lathe work of any sort, but I’m saving up to hopefully get myself a glass lathe in the future. They’re way pricier than your average wood/metal lathe, and have to be absolutely true or everything gets all twisted to hell when the glass gets hot and soupy. One day.
Really would love to check out a shop and see someone work a mill/lathe making yoyos.