How to Make a Square Yo-Yo
Yo-yos are a much-loved children's toy that consist of nothing more than two wooden or plastic discs and a length of string. These toys provide hours of amusement and they can even be used to perform tricks. Yo-yo enthusiasts practice stunts like "walk the dog" and "around the world," tossing and spinning their yo-yos in amazing ways. If you are a yo-yo enthusiast or are simply curious to try this toy out for yourself, consider building your own. Rather than building a traditional round yo-yo, however, think about doing something a little different by creating a square yo-yo.
Things You'll Need
- 1/2-inch scrap wood
- Fine-grain sandpaper
- Square template or ruler
- Jigsaw or table saw
- Pencil
- Electric hand drill
- 1/8-inch drill bit
- 1/8th-inch dowel
- Wood glue
- String
Instructions
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1
Select a piece of 1/2-inch scrap wood from which to cut the two halves of your square yo-yo. Sand down the front and back of the wood with fine-grain sand paper to remove any imperfections.
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2
Draw out the shape of your yo-yo halves on the piece of wood in pencil. You may use a square template or just measure out the correct size with a ruler. The ideal size for a square yo-yo is 2 inches by 2 inches.
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3
Cut out the two halves of your yo-yo using a jigsaw or a table saw. Sand the rough edges with fine-grain sandpaper.
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4
Use a ruler to measure the exact center of both halves of the yo-yo and mark this spot with a pencil.
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5
Using an electric hand drill with a 1/8-inch drill bit, drill a hole in the center of each half of the yo-yo. The hole should not pass all the way through the wood -- it should only be about 1/4-inch deep.
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6
Cut a piece of the 1/8-inch dowel to about 3/4 inches.
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7
Place a dab of wood glue in each hole in the center of your yo-yo halves. Insert one end of the dowel into one of the holes, then line up the hole in the other half of the yo-yo with the opposite end of the dowel, pressing them together. Allow the glue to dry for several hours.
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8
Cut a piece of string twice the length of the measurement between your belly button and the floor. Fold the string in half over the dowel between the two yo-yo halves, or the axle, and wrap it around once. Twist the two pieces of string together tightly to form a single string.
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9
Form a small loop and tie a slip knot in the end of the string. This will be the loop you put your finger through to use your yo-yo.
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10
Wind the string around the axle of the yo-yo to prepare it then insert your finger through the loop. Release the yo-yo and let the string unwind as the yo-yo spins toward the ground. Just before the yo-yo reaches the end of the string, yank it upward to rewind the string and start over.
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Tips & Warnings
If you wish to paint or stain your yo-yo, do so before you drill the holes in the center and insert the dowel. Get creative by painting a multicolored design or mark the yo-yo with your initials.
References
- Photo Credit Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
