I get you on that. One issue at least until recently was it was unavailable. I know that’s changed since the Grind Machine came out. I also know that people really liked the way it felt. But how does it hold up? I’m not opposed and that Grind Machine literally checks all of my boxes as far as weight and shape, I’ve just never played a yo-yo with cork so I didn’t know what to expect.
I love a cork yoyo it smells so damn good too. The turbo is awesome I got the machine and mutant variant. Wish I had left the caps off one will have to see how I can pop those off safely on one.
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Been playing mine straight since May with no issues of loosing grip. They also come with an extra set and you can also get extras that fit OG Cold Fusions and Bubble Bees. These newer pads were precision cut, so the edges are holding up better compared to the ones from twenty years ago. More grip when you use Cotton or Slick 6. Feels so good in the hand and doesn’t have that “vintage vibe” you get from the original Cold Fusions. Awesome yoyo , I also have the Mutant version as well. Must have for a modern responsive player/collector.
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Ohh yeah I got loads of those pads I won’t need more for a long while.
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I guess I will be getting one at some point soon then. Literally the cork pads were what held me back.
This was my first yo-yo. Totally organic and I had this in 1978-79. Wish I still had it but I was hard on toys. I don’t remember but I’m sure I’ve read that these also had bearings in them.
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Wheels is what inspired the FH1.
A few modders in the community have been able to mod these to have a bearing in them. Takeshi and Landon Balk being the first ones that come to mind.
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Maybe that is what I read as it seems they were actually fixed axle.
I will note like some pads and wood the cork will need a bit of break in. I have mostly played my mutant so my machine is still fresh and occasionally unpredictable. Does not take long to break in though.
Also caps once installed really hard to remove probably not meant to remove so consider if you want them in or not.
Also the machine and mutant are mildly different in weight not by much and you can only get the mutant with the machine but can get the machine on its own. The mutant is really only valuable as a collector
When I bought my TGM, the Mutant was sold out. Now it is available again, but I have to buy another TGM to get it.
So I am still curious about the Mutant.
I run my TGM without the caps.
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If anyone has a good way to pop out the caps I’ll take the advice. Thinking I might try the air compressor see if that works.
Honestly the mutant isn’t really different besides being a very nice purple and a slightly heavier yoyo but just slightly. They play nearly the same or at least enough I can’t tell the difference with my low skill. I only got it as a one for the shelf sort of deal.
I tried half swap the purple and green but the slight weight difference added a slight vibe and I decided against it but it looked neat.
Id probably want to join the boomer club, though not the best in responsive but still tryin in my 30’s
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30’s is right where you should be to learn responsive. Welcome to boards Stephen! I was looking over your website and I must say, Very rad! Your yoyo looks like fun and the Taiwan counterweight has peaked my interest. Good to have you around 
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Thanks Mooky! Still learning the ways of the throw!
I’m getting more and more interested in the Grind Machine. I hadn’t noticed it talking about the caps before. So the caps come with it but not on it? And if you put them on how does it look, feel, weigh? I noticed you said you had installed them so I figured you would have the answer. 
My time to shine. I hope my fellow boomer club members will indulge my ramblings of a cork yoyo for a moment.
First off unrelated careful with your wording yyf sucks at naming things. The grind machine has had many odd iterations one many might remember is the hubstack version
Now that I’ve got my pedantic comment out of the way. On to the turbo grind machine 2023…
The caps are clear and come separately once installed really hard to remove. They look nice not sure how I feel about them I should have left a pair off one but didn’t think about it.
Now for the minor differences in machine vs mutant. Weight not much of a difference 5g isn’t going to change that much. The gap on the machine is also ever so slightly smaller but I can’t find my calipers so you’ll just have to trust me on that one lol.
Hope this helps some. Feel free to hit me with more questions. I like them and use the machine more as the mutant is a shelf queen.
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Awesome. Thanks. With a base weight of 55.5 those add a fair amount. The base weight is more what I was craving so I’ll likely never install them, but it’s nice to see what it would be if I did. I must be broken or something because I couldn’t resist the urge to click that “BUY” button and request that a Turbo Grind Machine be sent my way. I also have extra ceramic narrow “A” bearings to play with on this bad boy. Looking forward to that. This one really is what I’ve been craving in every way and I can’t wait to string it up. 
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Original Post has been updated with a list of the Current Charter Members. I will continue to update the list through 9/1/2023 when the Charter Closes.
Messages were sent to committee volunteers. Hope to be starting the Email Chain for the two yoyos shortly.
Will communicate back here as the Designs progress.
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Awesome work. Thank you @Pun1sh3R for getting this all moving along and leading the club. I for one appreciate it.
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I’m up for being on any committee that it’s useful to have me on (and being a charter member)
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