Woodturning a Yo-Yo

Woodturning a Yo-Yo for the first time on the wood lathe! In this video I show how I take a piece of pacific Madrone and make it into a one piece Yo-Yo. I mount the Madrone into the chuck and smooth it out then take it to the right diameter with a spindle roughing gouge. Then I pencil in some layout lines so I know how I am going to shape the wood. After that I begin to shape with a 3/8" spindle gouge. The middle section is removed with a narrow parting tool to create a bearing that the string will spin on. I finish up the shaping and then sand and oil the wood with walnut oil. I create a string from some cotton twine I got at the hardware store and it works. It's not exactly perfect but it's a good Yo-Yo!
My Videos are for entertainment only. It is always your own responsibility to understand how to safely use your power tools.

[@ValentinaFaussone]

I stumbled upon this video searching for a candlelight holder, but I think I can learn really a lot! This video is very detailed and precise on a lot of topics I need to learn.
And now I obviously also want a yo-yo for my child… and me :)

[@jimhoopes7842]

Very cool, my youngest boy thinks he’s interested in turning wood!

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Awesomeness. I just got my nephew started a little.

[@amandatallis9875]

I feel honoured that you made Jason,making your first yo yo in front of us all. The video has taught me another item we can make on my partners lathe. The wood has nice grain and the colour is grand the finish you use make it stand out. You are one of my favourite turner's on you tube thank you for your videos and easy to understand information

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thanks for watching so many of my videos. I am glad to be a favorite!

[@amandatallis9875]

@@Geiserwoodturner my partner and I are looking to get back to doing woodturning soon I have made a little Christmas tree about 3to 4 years back

[@theajthomas]

So happy to see another video from you. You are one of my favourite turners on TH-cam!

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thank you! That’s so good to hear! I’m planning to get back into the swing of things and keep the videos coming!

[@tonithomas393]

luv it!

[@suesmith9202]

I love it.

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thanks it’s lots of fun

[@lauramoore8083]

Looks beautiful!

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thank you!

[@frankvanderwal4571]

Very nice indeed. For a moment I thought the right-hand side was much bigger than the left-hand side. I think it was due to the camera position. The project shows you are a very skilled woodturner. The way you did the last cuts didn’t require a lot of sanding. Marvelous. I might give it a go myself, but as an -eternal- beginner, I will struggle to get the two sides equal and probably need a lot of sanding! Many thanks for sharing, __Frank

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thanks for watching and thinking I am skilled. Yes I also noticed the camera angle made it look out of proportion until I took it off the lathe. I wish you well on this project!

[@truthandjustice975]

Nice! I used to yo-yo all the time when I was a kid. I don't remember the last time I even saw one at the store. Kind of sad really.

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Me too! Most are cheap plastic now.

[@danvalleskey]

@@Geiserwoodturner There are still good yoyos to be had. Some are very expensive as collectors items, but there are aluminum and even titanium ones on the market for serious bucks. And hey- a $5 plastic Duncan will throw just fine if you know how.

[@mrwhobodiggz]

When you restring the yoyo use a flemish twist. It a bit tricky to get started but the way you twist the strands while making the string causes "bite" and the fibers bind in the twist.

[@kevinlyons4183]

Wow

[@normakers5632]

Awesome!

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thanks!

[@chrissullivan2948]

Nice video - great presentation

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thanks

[@thomasheaney2087]

Chuck up the string in a drill, tie the other end off pull it firm and run the drill. Easy peasy

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Great idea 💡

[@MorningwoodTurning]

Looks like you had some ups and downs with this project! 🤣 Nice result!

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Good one 🤣🤣

[@floridabeardedwoodworker]

That's good stuff. Thanks for the ideas. FBWW

[@Geiserwoodturner]

I appreciate it. I hope it works for you.

[@truthandjustice975]

Next wood-turning idea: A Rubik's cube. 🤔😂

[@Geiserwoodturner]

I can’t even solve one 🤣

[@nancyneff4118]

Very nice! Will give a try tomorrow. What speed were you turning?

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thanks! I try to turn something this size around 2000 rpm give or take a few hundred.

[@user-tx8mv4mr7r]

Good

[@Geiserwoodturner]

Thank you!

[@ifonlysolutions4011]

Are those a specific type of sand paper?

[@Geiserwoodturner]

I use the 2” Velcro backed discs a lot. I get one called “purple power” from woodturners wonders. His interchangeable foam pads are awesome because you don’t have to rip your sanding discs off the Velcro very much. Only when it’s worn out.

[@danvalleskey]

It is worth buying a real yoyo string. What you have there is too short, and maybe too light. BTW- you mention a bearing/ axle. A yoyo with a bearing will actually have a real bearing! With a metal shaft screwed through. A 1/4 gap is too big, I can measure about 3/32 on one yoyo sitting on my desk. The other one measures just under an eighth. Thanks for posting though- you have inspired me, maybe when I get out in the shop next month I'll try one. I used to be very good with a yoyo but arthritis sucks.

[@danvalleskey]

I have a few strings left, tell me where, I'll send you one.

[@danvalleskey]

Reminds me of people who build beautiful gorgeous canoes, but they are not paddlers. They get the seats wrong, shape the gunwales wrong, they do not understand about living with canoes day in day out. So they made a work of art that is way less than useful. With a yoyo- learn to throw yoyos, get some tricks, then, and only then, try to turn one.