| Properly maintaining your favourite yoyo is very | | | | times whilst offering you a controlled response. |
| important, they will last longer and play better | | | | Like all spinning axles, the spin of a metal axle can |
| with proper care. As a guide to help you do this, | | | | be affected by dirt and dust, it sometimes helps |
| we have put together a list of top tips for a | | | | to blow on the axle to remove anything that is |
| healthy yoyo: | | | | stopping it from running smoothly. You can also |
| 1. STRINGS: care | | | | adjust the responsiveness by using some |
| One of the most important things for your yoyo | | | | approved yoyo lubricant. |
| is to look after your strings properly. If your | | | | 5. AXLES - auto return axles |
| string becomes dirty or knotted, your yoyo will | | | | The auto return axles found on yoyos such as |
| not spin as fast or perform tricks as well as it is | | | | the PowerYo FX3 and Yo2 Triple Action models |
| designed to. Also over time your string might | | | | are new intelligent clutch-based return systems |
| become frayed through repeated use and snap | | | | that allow you to get amazing spin speeds and |
| while playing. For safety and best possible play, | | | | spinner times. The clever thing about the auto |
| you should change yours regularly and always use | | | | return axle system is that whilst it will |
| official replacement yoyo strings. Don't try and | | | | automatically return to your hand when it slows |
| make your own out of regular string! | | | | down at the end of a spinner, unlike most clutch |
| 2. STRINGS: changing | | | | yoyos you can also make it return under your |
| Removing a string from your yoyo is quite simple: | | | | own control at any time during the spin. The auto |
| just grab hold of the string about 2cm above the | | | | return axle is very hard to reassemble if you |
| yoyo and twist the yoyo anti-clockwise until the | | | | take it apart, so if you wish to clean it, simply |
| string opens up. When you have untwisted | | | | blow any dirt or dust off the axle. |
| enough string it will be easy to pull it over the top | | | | 6. AXLES -ball bearing axles |
| of the yoyo. You do not need to undo a yoyo to | | | | The ball bearing axles found on yoyos such as |
| change a string. To put on a new string just do | | | | most of the YoyoJam range are highly |
| the opposite. Untwist the base of the string until | | | | engineered, high speed axles that will enable you |
| you have created a large enough loop and then | | | | to get the best long spin times and incredible |
| place it round the yoyo. When the yoyo is in | | | | tricks out of your yoyo. Because these axles |
| place, make sure you wind the string back up until | | | | contain moving parts you should never get them |
| it reaches the axle. | | | | wet or there is a possibility that rust may form |
| 3. AXLES - wooden axles | | | | inside the bearing case and stop the yoyo from |
| The wooden axles found on some basic yoyos | | | | performing. All ball bearings sold at yoyoshop |
| are specifically designed to give you some of the | | | | come lightly oiled to help protect them from |
| feel of an advanced ball bearing yoyo, but with | | | | moisture, however over time, and if you clean |
| the added response you need when first | | | | your ball bearing you may remove this protection, |
| attempting tricks. The key to a top performing | | | | so it's always a good idea to use yoyo lubrication |
| wooden axle is its smoothness, when you first | | | | oil regularly to keep the bearing protected. |
| get your yoyo you may need to throw 5-10 | | | | 7. LUBRICATION |
| spinners to get it running smoothly. Wooden axles | | | | Lubrication oil is perfect for smoothing and adding |
| are not as strong as their metal counterparts, be | | | | responsiveness to all metal yoyo axles. You |
| careful not to hit the floor too often or your axle | | | | should add a small drop of oil onto each side of |
| can snap in half. Unfortunately if your wooden | | | | the axle as and when required. On all ball bearing |
| axle breaks it is best to replace the whole yoyo. | | | | axles lubrication oil should be used regularly to |
| 4. AXLES - metal axles | | | | keep them running smoothly and prevent |
| Metal axles are also engineered to give you the | | | | moisture getting into the bearing. See here for |
| feel of an advanced ball bearing yoyo, these are | | | | more information. |
| perfect for string tricks and give good sleeper | | | | |