I need help with an Unresponsive Duncan Metal Drifter.

[Puck Goodfellow]

I just got a Duncan Metal Drifter, and it's giving me trouble with responsiveness straight out of the box. It's responsiveness is... iffy. It's not totally unresponsive, but it definitely isn't coming back every time I try to retrieve it. I think it's the friction pads... and I'm going to pick up some as soon as I can. However, it might be something else. Does anyone else know what I can tweak to get a better response?

[theTopo]

It sounds like you want to make it more responsive? If so I'd recommend using thick lube on the bearing.

Another really quick fix would be to put an extra loop of the string around the axle. This might even make it too responsive so may not be the best solution.

[Douglas Brown]

It sounds like the pads. I hate duncan friction stickers because you can just rub the sticky stuff right off AND they wear out super quickly. Sorry that you have to deal with this. Replacing the stickers, or lubing the bearing as theTopo suggested would work.

[BosK]

When you say "Just got"... how long ago?

[Puck Goodfellow]

The friction stickers are supposed to be sticky? Sounds like that's the problem. They're definitely not sticky in my Drifter.

Just got in this case means ordered from the Duncan website Wednesday. Arrived Friday, and gave me trouble right out of the box.

[NKessler]

The Friction Stickers aren't supposed to be sticky to the touch on the front, but the adhesive on the back is very easy to rub off.  They may be your problem, but there are some easier solutions available.

The easiest thing you can do is lube the bearing with some thick lube.  There are a few different types, but I've always liked YoYoJam's Thick Lube the best.  Using a small drop of it will make any yoyo tug-responsive.

Another option is replacing the pads, but they'll wear out very quickly and you'll wind up replacing them every 4 or 5 days.  You will have to replace them often, but relying on them alone for responsiveness is going to be very difficult.

The best option is a combination of both solutions.  Lube your bearing and replace your pads whenever they don't have any texture left.  It is going to be a bit of a pain regardless, but it'll work very well and your yoyo will play exactly like you want it to.

The end solution is learning how to bind.  Binding will fix all of your problems without any additives.  Definitely look up "binding a yoyo" on YouTube and try to learn it as soon as you can.  The Drifter is made primarily to be an unresponsive yoyo, so learning to play with an unresponsive yoyo is a great way to solve your problem.

Good luck and have fun!  The Drifter is probably the best yoyo you can buy in it's price range, so you made a great choice right off the bat!