Are 100% A4 marine grade stainless steel which is corrosion resistant to saltwater. They are heavy duty threaded and perfectly cup pointed. Once properly installed, Goodvibes Axles will remain vibration free and need no further adjustments for a long time under regular playing conditions. To learn more about the factory axle that originally came in your yo-yo click here. The following guide is provided to help users maintain their GoodVibes Axles for years of play.
Axle installation
The single most important component of any yo-yo is its axle. If you don't believe this, remove the axle from your yo-yo and see what happens. Now that we can agree, we can talk about proper installation. At Lotus, we have tried quite literally every method that exists for adjusting axles. Below are the recommended methods that are most effective and easy.
EVery throw varies
Modern yo-yos are machined to impressive tolerances thanks to CNC production. Due to the variety of diameters, widths, shapes, profiles, and weights every yo-yo runs a bit differently. This means there might be slight axle adjustments in order to get your particular yo-yo running its best with the least amount of vibration. The below guide is a reference for "most" modern yo-yos. In other words, the recommendations below work flawlessly on around 95% of all yo-yos regardless of diameter, shape, weight etc. The remaining 5% might need small, incremental tweaks in order to minimize vibration.
YOU WILL NEED:
2mm HEX DRIVER
Unless otherwise stated from the yo-yo manufacturer, all modern yo-yos use axles with a 2mm head from the factory. Due to poor manufacturing of factory axles, you might notice deviations on your factory axle head. Some factory axles are slightly over 2mm and others may be just shy of 2mm. Fortunately, yo-yo multitools are equipped with a 2mm axle tool that will fit- even with slight measurement differences IE tighter/looser. If you do not own a yo-yo multitool, you may also use a 2mm Allen key/wrench.
All Lotus GoodVibes axles are precisely measured at exactly 2mm so that your tool of choice will always fit perfectly. This allows you to easily install or remove your GoodVibes axle with whichever tool you use.
All Lotus GoodVibes axles are precisely measured at exactly 2mm so that your tool of choice will always fit perfectly. This allows you to easily install or remove your GoodVibes axle with whichever tool you use.
*instructions:
Please read disclaimer before attempting any axle adjustment.
- Remove the factory axle. Begin by unscrewing the two halves of your yo-yo. Depending on how your yo-yo was previously closed you will either have one half with a bearing and one half with the axle or both the axle and bearing seated on the same half. Typically this is not a problem but for whatever reason, if the bearing is preventing access to the axle head, remove the bearing. Click here if you are unsure how to remove your bearing. Take note, which half the axle's cup point was screwed into. Completely loosen the axle until it is removed.
- If your yo-yo previously ran smoothly with no vibration, screw your GoodVibes axle with the cup point in the same half that the factory axle was screwed into. If your yo-yo previously had various degrees of vibration, screw your GoodVibes axle with the cup point in the opposite half of your yo-yo. Some yo-yos have a dominant half where the cup point of the axle should be screwed. Chances are, if your yo-yo had previously had vibe, switching the side that your upgraded GoodVibes axle is screwed into will help smooth things out. Tighten down your GoodVibes axle with your tool until it is snugly seated.
- Your axle should be tight enough that it does not transfer between the halves of your yo-yo. In order to check if your GoodVibes is tightened properly, reseat your bearing if you removed it, and tightly screw your yo-yo back together noting which half the axle's cup point is in. For example, let's say the axle is affixed, cup point down, into the bottom half when you close up your yo-yo.
- Now unscrew your yo-yo. If the axle remains on the bottom half (as per the example) your GoodVibes axle is properly tightened. If the axle has now transferred to the upper half of the yo-yo, you will be able to see the cup point of your GoodVibes axle sticking out. The head of the axle is now screwed into the upper cup making everything backwards. This is a sign that your GoodVibes axle was not fully tightened.
- If you need to re-tighten, place the axle cup point down in the correct half and fully secure. To ensure that your GoodVibes axle does not work loose or transfer between halves, carefully turn the axle past the point of being "just secure." Thread taps are all different and you might be able to get an extra half to full turn, which ensures your GoodVibes axle is completely tight. Tightly screw your yo-yo back together.
- Repeat step #4 until your GoodVibes axle remains secure in it's intended half. Attach your string.
- Test for vibration by playing and throwing. If your yo-yo runs smoothly, great! Your GoodVibes axle defeated its archenemy, BadVibes! If vibration is still present...
- Try placing your GoodVibes axle, cup point down in the opposite half then the one you started with. Again, it's not uncommon for modern yo-yos that are heavily rim weighted to have a dominant half. This is a process of elimination and since there is only two halves of your yo-yo, not that time consuming; it's only a 50/50 chance! Fully tighten your GoodVibes axle and tightly screw your yo-yo back together. Attach your string.
- Test for vibe.
-NOTES-
If vibration persists you can "fine tune" your yo-yo.
Keep in mind; GoodVibes axles are precisely cup pointed. A properly cut cup point allows the most secure amount of contact between the axle and the material, in this case aluminum, without causing any damage that differently pointed axles would cause IE flat points. Cup points usually work best when they are as tight as possible because there is no slippage inside the thread taps and they maintain the highest level of material contact.
You may fine-tune your GoodVibes axle by loosening or tightening in small increments and then testing for vibration. Yo-yos in the early 2000's were much more temperamental than modern yo-yos. Many needed the axle to be exactly at the center point. In other words, exactly 50% of the axle length in one side of the yo-yo and exactly 50% of the axle length in the other side of the yo-yo. While most modern yo-yos no longer work this way, some do. You might find that your particular yo-yo has vibration unless the axle is as close to the center point as possible. You will need to continue the small incremental adjustments, testing for vibration for each adjustment. Instead of looking at your adjustments as being loose or tight, it really means lengthening or shortening. The looser your axle is, the longer it becomes. The tighter your axle is, the shorter it becomes.
Additionally, some yo-yos naturally have "nail vibe" which is only noticeable when you test the spinning edge of the yo-yo with a fingernail. When these throws hit the string to become "in play" the vibration is completely gone. While nail vibe can definitely be a bummer, it's only a negative factor if it continues when played on the string. Again, yo-yos with various shapes, diameters, weights and materials etc. all experience vibe differently.
Yo-yos that have an extreme vibe (brand new, out of the box) will almost always benefit the most from identifying the dominant half, and securing your GoodVibes axle as tightly as possible without damaging the threads. Take that, BadVibes!
Lotus GoodVibes were specifically made to eliminate vibration caused by cheap mismatched factory axles. They are amazing for tackling out of the box vibration of various degrees and pesky nail vibe. Lotus GoodVibes are not intended to fix vibration caused by user use, misuse, or damage to a yo-yo. For example, if a yo-yo was repeatedly dropped on concrete, missing chunks of aluminum, etc. and suffers from extreme vibration, that yo-yo is probably in need of a lot more than an axle change or upgrade. In other words, unless you absolutely love that particular throw, buy a new one!
Now that you're an axle expert, find out the best way to clean your Lotus Bearings by clicking here.
Keep in mind; GoodVibes axles are precisely cup pointed. A properly cut cup point allows the most secure amount of contact between the axle and the material, in this case aluminum, without causing any damage that differently pointed axles would cause IE flat points. Cup points usually work best when they are as tight as possible because there is no slippage inside the thread taps and they maintain the highest level of material contact.
You may fine-tune your GoodVibes axle by loosening or tightening in small increments and then testing for vibration. Yo-yos in the early 2000's were much more temperamental than modern yo-yos. Many needed the axle to be exactly at the center point. In other words, exactly 50% of the axle length in one side of the yo-yo and exactly 50% of the axle length in the other side of the yo-yo. While most modern yo-yos no longer work this way, some do. You might find that your particular yo-yo has vibration unless the axle is as close to the center point as possible. You will need to continue the small incremental adjustments, testing for vibration for each adjustment. Instead of looking at your adjustments as being loose or tight, it really means lengthening or shortening. The looser your axle is, the longer it becomes. The tighter your axle is, the shorter it becomes.
Additionally, some yo-yos naturally have "nail vibe" which is only noticeable when you test the spinning edge of the yo-yo with a fingernail. When these throws hit the string to become "in play" the vibration is completely gone. While nail vibe can definitely be a bummer, it's only a negative factor if it continues when played on the string. Again, yo-yos with various shapes, diameters, weights and materials etc. all experience vibe differently.
Yo-yos that have an extreme vibe (brand new, out of the box) will almost always benefit the most from identifying the dominant half, and securing your GoodVibes axle as tightly as possible without damaging the threads. Take that, BadVibes!
Lotus GoodVibes were specifically made to eliminate vibration caused by cheap mismatched factory axles. They are amazing for tackling out of the box vibration of various degrees and pesky nail vibe. Lotus GoodVibes are not intended to fix vibration caused by user use, misuse, or damage to a yo-yo. For example, if a yo-yo was repeatedly dropped on concrete, missing chunks of aluminum, etc. and suffers from extreme vibration, that yo-yo is probably in need of a lot more than an axle change or upgrade. In other words, unless you absolutely love that particular throw, buy a new one!
Now that you're an axle expert, find out the best way to clean your Lotus Bearings by clicking here.
lotus goodvibes defeat badvibes!
You followed the instructions above for installing your Lotus GoodVibes on your worst vibrating yo-yo. BadVibes defeated! What's next? The only way to get rid of bad vibes on the rest of your throws is by equipping all of them with GoodVibes. Fear not! Lotus has you covered. All of our GoodVibes Axles are marine grade stainless steel that makes them corrosion resistant to even saltwater! They are all precision cut to exact measurements with heavy-duty threads and large cup points made from the ground up specifically for yo-yo. Check out Lotus GoodVibes Axles.
*DISCLAIMER
Please read.
Let's be honest, installing an axle is not brain surgery or rocket science. It is, however, a delicate process. Over-tightening the axle can easily strip the threads inside the thread taps. Using the incorrect axle size can not only strip the threads but possibly increase the bore diameter inside the tap, get permanently stuck, or create a number of other issues that might render a yo-yo unplayable. Before you proceed with any axle adjustments, make sure you are aware of the possible damage you could create. Lotus International, Lotus Bearings and Lotus GoodVibes Axles assume no responsibility for any damages to yo-yos caused by improper removal/installation of GoodVibes or factory axles. By proceeding the user acknowledges the above disclaimer.