Interesting project

WV · 06-16-2010, 22:35

Opie,
Nice to have the mystery solved. Are they using braided amsteel as the yoyo string? All the yoyos I had as a kid used twisted strings.

**opie** · 06-17-2010, 04:34

WV, yes. 7/8 Amsteel Blue.

I wonder if the braided vs. twisted actually matters? I hadnt thought about it but now that you mention it all the ones I had used twisted line as well. They did say that in order for a yo yo to actually work the line needs to be as static as possible. I always thought you want a bit of stretch in the line to help snap the yo yo back up. I believe based on my chats with samson is they will get a bit of elongation with the 7/8 at the weight they are going to shock load this with.... but not much.

In any event... They need the hollow braid so they can avoid knots and keep the diameter of the line as small as possible while still working with a good safety margin.

**Hawk-eye** · 06-17-2010, 04:58

Keep us updated on this one OPIE ... can't wait to see how they do. Kinda neat that you'll have a hand in making this happen!

**oldgringo** · 06-17-2010, 05:08

Yoopers and yo-yos...how could I have missed that?

WV · 06-17-2010, 06:54

I recall that a yoyo that didn't seem to spring back properly could be fixed by twisting the string tighter, which may have made it tighten on the axle, but it might also have made it stretchier and affected the diameter of the line. A twisted line may be necessary if they're going to make it "sleep" or "walk the dog". I'm guessing they won't try "around the world".

I think the hard part of this project will be finding a crane that can duplicate quick hand movements on a large scale.

**tjm** · 06-17-2010, 10:56

Off topic but PLUS 1 to WV's kite-building story.

Lots of potential energy in ropes under tension.

Lots of potential energy when you are standing high on a cliff.

**Barefoot Child** · 06-17-2010, 11:06

Hey Opie,
will you be carrying this type of "kite-line" in your store? I will need approx. 600 feet with all bells and whistles please. Oh, and BTW...I need it ASAP!

PS-Please keep the price under $19.99, or the contract for the project will have been issued to HawkEye to fulfill, since that is his going price for just such a project.

Just sayin'.

**Salty** · 06-18-2010, 15:47

Hmm, I wonder if the slippery nature of Amsteel will provide enough grip on the yo-yo spindle to allow it to roll back up or if it will just spin after the drop. Maybe they could put a little Sil-Net on the inside of the loop to give it some grip much like wax provided on the old twisted cotton strings. I think they were waxed, weren't they? Been a long time since I played with a yo-yo.

Salty

**beep** · 06-18-2010, 19:16

All the yo-yo's that I remember had the string in a loop (string strands twisted) so that the yo-yo could "sleep" (pause) when extended. Even as klutzy as I am, I could do that trick!