Problem: I wish to create an economic, but still superb quality, aluminum yo-yo. I have noticed that aluminum yo-yos tend to be quite up there in price. I want to see if a more economic, but home developed, yo-yo can be made, but still be profitable and high-end quality. I plan on buying the necessary materials, which are aluminum, blow torch, clay (for a mold), safety equipment, ball bearings (size D), torch fuel (Propane tank), and axle parts. I already have the other items, so that is not an issue. I plan on recording the process and documenting it all, including a price list for all materials, then posting it here if this idea gets approved.
Why solve this problem: As a yo-yo collector and enthusiast, I have always noticed that some of the better aluminum yo-yos are, to be quite honest, very expensive. A good one can range from sixty dollars to over one hundred dollars. So I am trying to design and produce an affordable, but still good quality aluminum yo-yo. I have studied different shapes and weight ratios that other successful companies use, and have designed some concepts of my own for the shape. I plane on making a middle range sized yo-yo, less than 52 millimeters in diameter, around 38 in width, and a size D bearing (11 millimeter diameter, 5 millimeter width, and a 5 millimeter hole in the middle to set on the yo-yo).
Learning Stretch: This would most definitely put my creativity and crafting abilities to the test. I will have to learn a bit about metal smithing, and I will learn through my failures what I need to change on the specifications of my design. I will need to learn auto-cad a bit. This will also stretch my knowledge of physics and yo-yos a lot, as I have never done this before, I have only watched it be done by other people. This will be a great challenge for me, but I am sure I will succeed and hopefully prove my hypothesis.
Project Components: Physical Model (the yo-yo), 3-D model (Auto-Cad File), Concept Sketches (shapes and angles of yo-yo), Film recordings of the process, Receipts of Material Costs, Sources for Information, Website (possibly, for explaining concepts behind yo-yo physics, trick tutorials, documentation, history of the yo-yo, picture of my finished yo-yo and specs of it), and the internet for buying my raw materials.
Budget: My costs might be around 300 to 400 dollars. Just in case I mess up, I am leaving an extra 50 to 100 dollars for leeway. I do not have any restriction as of now, but that may change.
Issues that may pop up: The yo-yo may be imperfect, or it my hypothesis may be disproved. These would be the main issues I may have for now. But that's why I left room for Murphy's Law, so just in case something does go wrong, I can fix it.
