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[Neff]

Some of you already know how, but I made a DIY spin top string video:



By "3-ply" I mean if you pinch the string and unravel it a bit you see 3 strands of twisted sting, instead of two like a yo-yo string.

When I was teaching yo-yo workshop, nothing bothered me more than to see a kid with a dirty, nappy, knotted string.  For those of you in need of string that can't bring yourselves to order some from Spintastics, yoyonation, or Jeromy K, give this a shot.  I don't want to take business away from these fine folks, but this is also a craft that I think some folks will enjoy doing.

[johnm]

Thanks a lot!
I saw this earlier just Youtubing and it was the final motivation for me to make some lefty top strings for Bryan (so he won't use the righty string as an excuse for failed tricks )  They're pretty good (just tested righty) but I'll make a few more getting the winds tighter than my first few attempts.

Any specific reason for the material combination (eg. bamboo) or did you just have those spools around?

ps. Really nice Spintastics testing video

[Neff]

You're a good man, makin' string for yer buddy! 

I really like that bamboo stuff.  All-cotton (100% mercerized) string seems to collect oils and glaze over pretty quick, just like any other cotton string I've tried.  All-bamboo lasts forever, but the knots tend to slip out of the ends and the twists are sometimes uneven; one of the three strands gets loose and you have to push it to the end and re-tie.  So far 66% bamboo and 33% cotton seems to get the best of both.

I prefer the bleached over the natural for both types - better visibility and glows in a blacklight.

P.S. My application was approved 

[mtntop]

Thanks Chris I was just thinking about that the other day I'm going to give it a shot. thanks for sharing

[ta0]

I didn't realize you could mix strings so different and get good results.
Tutorials are always great: thanks!

[the Earl of Whirl]

Making your own string?  For lefties?  That is terrific.  We are really going places on this forum!!!

Maybe I should say that "others" are really going places on this forum?

[Jeromy K.]

That is one way of doing it. Nice video, keep up the good work.

[hemingsoft]

Well, I must say thanks for the instruction video.  John made me some "lefty" string.  I'm not sure if it was a placebo effect or not, but I was able to do sixteen half orbits and caught my first ten whip catches with it.  Nevertheless, awesome string making!!!

[the Earl of Whirl]

Mark Hayward swears by his left handed string from Chad.  Glad to hear you are doing well with your lefty wind!

[ta0]

You are making great progress! But I imagine the 10 whip catches were not from the same throw 

It is difficult to believe the twist of the string would make such a big difference with tops, but never underestimate the power of placebo 

[hemingsoft]

You are making great progress! But I imagine the 10 whip catches were not from the same throw 

Most definitely not, maybe one day though.   

Over the course of the day I think my success rate went from ~.1% to maybe 10%-20%.  Gonna see how it goes today!  Maybe two off the same throw 

[tonysauce]

dude thank you so much.

[mtntop]

  Hey Chris thanks so much, this is exactly what I needed for my first turning #1 needed a thicker string. I have made four strings now and wow what a difference one strand makes thanks for demystifying this process for me. I made a great string for my Quicksilver too!! Keep the vids coming.   

[mtntop]

Hey is there a different spin direction of the drill for right or left handed?? I ask because one of the strings I've made performs more and more poorly the longer I use it but after resting for a while seems back to normal.

[Neff]

I spin the drill to the right, or forward, like you would be driving in a screw, for "right-handed" string.  I haven't made lefty string before, but I would assume it would be as easy as just spinning the drill backwards.  Hope this helps, glad ya find the video useful.  To me it is a huge advantage to be able to adjust the thickness to your liking for the various sizes of tops.

I've found a better way to manage tension when you use different types of string, but I need to take a photo so it is easier to explain...