Introduction: Pop Can Yo-yo
Yo-yo's are fun for everyone. Whether you're just learning or a master full of tricks, yo-yo's put smiles on peoples faces around the world. But wouldn't it be awesome to make one yourself? In this Instructable you will learn how to make one using pop cans and hot glue.
MATERIALS:
Two pop cans
Pencil
Hot glue gun and lots of glue
Roughly 4 feet of string
Scissors
Some sort of heavy duty cutter to cut pencil (I used hedge clippers)
Lets roll!
Step 1: Cleaning & Cutting
First, clean out the pop cans. It's simple, just run 'em under water. Once clean, you need to cut the tops off. To do so, puncture the pop can with one blade of your scissors. Then cut around the can using the hole to start cutting. Once you cut all the way around, you may want to trim the edge. Then do the same process to the other can. Once you have both can tops cut clean, push the drinking hole thingy so it's kinda sealed again. This is so no hot glue gets out. Now take your pencil and cut it so there is a piece that is about 2 inches long. Then set it between the two pop tops so you can make sure that the gap between the tops is ideal. (about 1cm) If not shorten by cutting more. If its not long enough, (though it shouldn't because 2 inches is generally longer) make another that's longer.
Step 2: Gluing
Now that the tops are cut, and the pencil is perfect, you need to glue the stuff together. You have to use a lot of glue so that the yo-yo has enough weight to fall and go back up. Also, make sure you glue one at a time, because if you put the yo-yo together and the is not not dry it will leak down. OK: Plug in your hot glue gun and wait until it gets hot. Then take one of the pop tops and fill it entirely with hot glue. The glue should form an even surface. If not, coax it so it does using the tip of the hot glue gun. Then put the pencil in the center of the hot glue and hold it there until the glue hardens enough to hold the pencil up itself. Wait until the glue completely dries. Once the glue dries you can put the string on now to make a better tie. It really doesn't matter when you put the string on, though, as long as the glue is dry. Now take the other pop top and fill it entirely with glue, maintaining an even surface like the one before. Take the pop top that has the pencil in it and set it on the other one, so the pencil pushes down in the center of the hot glue. (kinda hard to explain so look at the pictures for a clearer explanation.)
Step 3: Finished!
Once the glue is dry hold it by the string and trim the string to fit to your height. Then Tie a loop on the end and you're done! EDIT: You might wanna push the sharp edges inward, so there is only smooth folds instead of sharp metal edges. A little bit safer and it will protect the string. As mentioned earlier yo-yo's are tons of fun! A quick google search will find you tips and tricks all about yo-yo's. So have fun!
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22 Comments
12 years ago on Step 2
Instead of using a hot glue gun, can you melt the hot glue sticks with a lighter? That would be WAY speedier
12 years ago on Introduction
good instructable
12 years ago on Introduction
holy crap i can break a pencil with my HAND!
13 years ago on Introduction
is it possible to use two lids for each side? or will it make it too heavy?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
This is too light. There are crazy heavy yoyos that work great.
13 years ago on Introduction
is it possible to just use a new pencil, so one end is perfect? And, can you use the other end of the *leftover* pop cans to make a butterfly yo-yo?and, i think on my idea of the butterfly, is it possible to make the ends of the pencil stick out of the center of the yo yo?
thanks,
origamianything
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
It works! I used the other ends and made a butterfly yo yo. It sleeps for 2 seconds and is kinda responsive. (might post pics)
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I think I will try your butterfly idea. I'll tell you if it works
14 years ago on Introduction
Can't you get cut on this ? Maybe the cut edges could be folded under ?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Or, you could fold the metal edges out and make it a weapon.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
nice
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
ah- I forgot to mention that... yeah I did that. I'll update as soon as I get some pictures.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
*updated*
13 years ago on Introduction
This guy made a gameboy sandwich. are you seriously gonna let him near some hot glue and hedge cippers fail.
13 years ago on Introduction
Try making a yo-yo out of juice bottles. The ones that look like an orange juicer on the inside of the bottom. Build up the sides with some hot glue and paint. They make a cool "big" yo-yo.
13 years ago on Step 3
cooooooooool this is so ganna help me with my project....
13 years ago on Step 3
dos it really work??????????????
Reply 13 years ago on Step 3
yeah kinda. I should have made the pencil shorter for stability but for a homemade yoyo it's pretty good
14 years ago on Introduction
Don't the metal edges wear away the string? And what's the balance like? L
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Yeah after folding the edges in (forgot to mention that) the string should be fine. The balance stinks though. But it works, and for a homemade yo-yo, it's pretty good.