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How to Make a Pulley Out of a Yo-Yo

Simple machines are everywhere an in everything. Even a simple yo-yo is really a wheel and axle, though it can easily be transformed into a pulley. A pulley is a simple machine where a wheel and axle changes the direction of force applied to a chord. Simply put, this means that a pulley is something, like blinds or a crane, that lifts something up on one end when you pull down on the other. A yo-yo becomes a pulley when, instead of hanging from the end of the string, the yo-yo head supports the middle.

Things You'll Need

C clamp

Instructions

- 1
  Unscrew the yo-yo, remove the string and screw the yo-yo back together. If your yo-yo does not unscrew, cut the string out as close to the yo-yo axle as possible.
- 2
  Hang the middle of the string from the axel.
- 3
  Place the yo-yo into a C clamp. Make sure it is in firmly enough that the yo-yo will not move yet not so firm that the yo-yo cracks.
- 4
  Hang the C clamp from a hook or attach the C clamp to the edge of a surface so that the yo-yo pulley is suspended with nothing interfering with the string.
- 5
  Tie the load to be lifted onto one end of the string and pull the other. The attached item should lift as you pull the string. If the item you want to lift is small and light enough, like a pencil, consider slipping it into the preexisting slip knot to put around your finger instead of tying another knot.

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