How to Make a Yo Yo

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Gather the tools and materials you will need to start the project.

   A drill motor and a vise are essential, and if you don't have these, you will need to either borrow or buy them.
2. 2

   Step 2: Select a piece of appropriate wood.

   In the project pictures, a dead limb from a red cedar is used, since it is attractive, lightweight, strong, and available.
   
   You will most likely not want to use green woods, very hard woods, or knotty woods, since they are difficult to machine.
   
   Here are some things to look for in selecting your wood:
   Availability.
   
   Of course you will need to be able to obtain your stock.
   
   We simply walked in the yard and pulled down a dead limb from a tree there.
   
   Machinability.
   
   The wood you choose should be cured and soft enough to machine.
   
   Green wood has too much moisture in the wood to sand easily, and will shrink and crack when it cures.
   
   Very hard woods are difficult to machine, drill, and shape.
   
   Soundness.
   
   The wood you will use should be sound, with no cracks, checks, loose knots, or holes in it.
   
   Appearance.
   
   A wood with nice grain and color will give you a better finished product if you do not intend to paint it. , The project we undertook was done on a 2 X 10 piece of lumber set on a chair's armrest, This is not recommended.
   
   A good work bench is the best choice, but a good, strong table will work, if its surface is protected. , This is done by nailing a vertical piece of lumber to the work surface, then attaching a diagonal brace to make it secure. ,,,, It should go deep enough to get a good bite (or grip) on the wood, and needs to be centered as closely as possible.
   
   Cut the head off this screw, so it can be chucked into the drill motor. , Again, make sure the screw has a good bite, at least one inch, into the stock piece.
   
   This screw will support the stock while the stock is turning, and if it fails, it can injure the person working the stock, or damage the drill motor. ,, Vibrations and torque from the turning process cause a lot of force on the vise and drill motor if it is not closely aligned. , You will notice it is not turning true to begin with, but if the screws that form the axle are aligned closely enough, it will true up as you remove material. , Move the sander/sandpaper slowly toward the stock, so that it removes a little material each time the stock rotates.
   
   The speed of the drill should start out slow, since the stock is not a true cylinder, and therefore is unbalanced.
   
   As material is removed, it should become more and more round, until you have a cylinder. , You will want to stop the drill and make sure there are no defects in the wood once this is done.
   
   Also, mark the places you will remove material to actually shape the yo yo. , You will probably want the stock to be turning about 250-300 RPM for this process, and be careful to apply pressure gradually and lightly to accomplish this cut.
   
   Remember, you are supporting the workpiece on improvised centers! ,, Cut to within 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of the center while the piece is turning, then shut the drill off and finish the cut the conventional way, using the saw. , Tie on a suitable string, and test it out!
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   Step 3: Set up a sturdy table.

4. 4

   Step 4: Set your vise on the work surface

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   Step 5: and build a standard

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   Step 6: or device to support the other end of your stock.

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   Step 7: Clamp a drill motor in the vise jaws

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   Step 8: securing it as shown in the picture

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   Step 9: with the handle and trigger up

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    Step 10: so it can be turned on and off as you work.

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    Step 11: Align the center of the drill chuck by sliding the vise to a position where the chuck is almost touching the standard

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    Step 12: and marking this point.

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    Step 13: Drill a hole through the standard

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    Step 14: being careful to keep it in line with the drill chuck

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    Step 15: large enough for a number 14 wood screw to pass through.

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    Step 16: Drive a number 14 wood screw into one end of the stock you are going to make the yo yo from.

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    Step 17: Mark the center of the other end of your stock

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    Step 18: and drive another number 14 wood screw into it

19. 19

    Step 19: after first pushing the screw through the hole in your standard.

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    Step 20: Tighten the screw in the opposite end of your stock into the drill motor's chuck

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    Step 21: positioning the vise so it is aligned with the standard and spaced so that the stock is supported and will turn freely.

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    Step 22: Clamp or screw the vise down to the work surface so it cannot move.

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    Step 23: Start the drill motor slowly

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    Step 24: lock the trigger so it stays on

25. 25

    Step 25: and use the drill's variable speed control (if equipped) to turn the stock piece.

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    Step 26: Set the speed of the drill and lock the switch in the on position

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    Step 27: and begin to remove material slowly from the stock with a 4 inch (10.2 cm) sander/grinder

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    Step 28: or a piece of very coarse sandpaper on a sanding block.

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    Step 29: Increase the turning speed when you have turned the stock into a balanced cylinder

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    Step 30: and continue removing material until it is the desired diameter.

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    Step 31: Using a wood-cutting blade on a hacksaw

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    Step 32: or a sharp

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    Step 33: fine toothed wood handsaw

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    Step 34: cut grooves for the string in the stock.

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    Step 35: Using a piece of sandpaper

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    Step 36: sand the grooves smooth

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    Step 37: inside and out

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    Step 38: and sand the edges too

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    Step 39: while being careful to maintain equal force (for smooth sanding) and minimal pressure.

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    Step 40: Use the saw to cut the stock

41. 41

    Step 41: giving your yo yo its final shape.

42. 42

    Step 42: Sand and finish the yo-yo as desired.

Detailed Guide

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