“The Stem system is a piece of new axle and bearing seat hardware that can support a wide variety of yo-yo designs. It’s made up of two different pieces.
1. The Stem
The Stem is the primary piece that holds the yo-yo together, while also centering and aligning the body of the yo-yo so that it’s able to spin smoothly. It features a cone shaped body that can center itself in a variety of hole sizes and a knurled outer knob to allow for a tight grip when tightening your yo-yo together.
2. The bearing seat
The second component is what supports your bearing and response pad while the yo-yo is assembled. Different bearing seat pieces can be purchased for use in all Stem yo-yos, depending on what size bearing you want to use…
Setting up your Stem yo-yo is easy. Simply insert the Stem into the yo-yo half, then press the bearing seat down over it until you feel the O-ring hold it in place. Then, you can begin screwing the yo-yo together. If you feel the Stem start to rotate freely in the middle of your yo-yo, you can either hold the Stem by the textured outer edge while tightening, or press the halves together in your hands as you turn. The same techniques can be used when unscrewing your Stem yo-yo if the halves start to spin freely. “
Stem System yo-yo ship with D bearings currently, but kits for C and A bearings are available to purchase from Freshly Dirty.
“The Snapdragon is our first yo-yo to utilize the new Stem system. It features a 6061 aluminum construction and a large H profile that can accommodate most any play style. All of the first run Stem yo-yos will come stock with a size D bearing, and they are compatible with other bearing sizes using additional Stem bearing seat kits…”
“The VHS is an organic shaped D bearing yoyo. However it didn’t start out its life this way. FD initially wanted to produce the VHS with titanium, however after testing titanium prototypes they realized that they could keep the same extreme rim weight of the yoyo while switching to a much more affordable material, 7068 aluminum.
The results speak for themselves. Although it’s got a classic, unassuming shape, this yoyo’s performance is not to be underestimated. FD hopes you love throwing it as much as they’ve loved the process of bringing it to life.”
“The Modular 44 is Freshly Dirty’s first yo-yo design with interchangeable rims. By using a standard hub-to-rim interface that is compatible with all Mod44 products from Freshly Dirty, one yoyo can suddenly take on many different forms. The Mod44 uses an O-ring system to keep the rim aligned and spinning smoothly, even after extended periods of regular wear and tear.
For tips and tricks on how to remove and install rims, click here.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Mod44 is open source rim design. Throughout the prototyping process, 3D printing was used to develop new designs and test them in real time. Freshly Dirty supports community members who wish to design and print their own rims. For more information as well as file downloads, click here.”
The Mod 44 comes in both C bearing and D bearing models, giving players even more choice about their Mod 44 play.
Mod 44 Rims
There are a multitude of rims available for the Mod 44, both for sale and available to print at home using a 3D printer. That doesn’t include other home-made rims the community has come up with over the years. Before getting started with Mod 44 rims, it’s important to know how to safely take of old rims and install new rims. Thankfully, Freshly Dirty has you covered in their tutorial video.
Mod 44 Rim Removal
To remove a rim, first place your index finger along the inside of the rim as shown. Next, place your thumb on the “44” logo to create some leverage. While holding the other side of the yoyo with your opposite hand, simply pull the rim at a single point until the O-ring is visible. Some force will be necessary. Repeat this process 2-3 times around different points of the yoyo until the rim is no longer held in place by the O-ring.
Next, pull the ring straight off of the metal hub. Be sure to pull the rim straight off the side of the yoyo and not at an angle to make this easier.
Mod 44 Rim Installation
First, align the ring on the body of the yoyo by snapping it onto the metal hub. The fit is snug to allow smooth performance. This is the same position your rim was in after releasing it from the O-ring.
Next, squeeze the rim over the O-ring at 2-3 different points around the yoyo. Try using your thumbs to press on the metal hub as shown while the rest of your fingers grip the outside of the rim. Some force will be necessary. Repeat 2-3 times around different points on the yoyo until the rim is securely fastened and the O-ring is no longer visible.
Retail Mod 44 Rims
There are a variety of Mod 44 rims available to purchase from Freshly Dirty or other retailers. These come in either POM or Delrin, and are the easiest way to switch up your Mod 44 play. These are:
Supersport
Coupe
Cruiser
Tuner
Big Rig
Hatchback
3D Printed Mod 44 Rims
There are many different types of Mod 44 rims available to print at home. Freshly Dirty provides a bunch, including templates for making your own, over at GrabCAD. They include the following notes about 3D printing rims:
“The Modular 44 supports 3-D printed rims. The link found above provides design templates as well as finished rim designs. Use these files to design and print your own custom rims for the Modular 44. Two types of rim designs are available- rigid and flexible rim models.
The rigid models are similar to the POM rims included with the yoyo; these should be printed in PLA, PETG, Nylon, or any other rigid material.
The flexible models use a different interface to connect to the hub. Use a TPU or FLEX filament to print these rims. Be sure to remove the O-ring on the hub before attaching a flexible rim.
The rim templates are stored in a .dwg file; this is a 2-D file format that should be easier to modify with a wide variety of CAD softwares. Dimensions are in millimeters. The dotted line on the left side of the drawing is the centerline of the rim; this should be used to revolve the sketch into a 3-D model. The dotted line on the top of the drawing represents the center of width of the Mod44; use this to calculate the total width of the assembled yoyo.
Reducing vibe in your 3-D printed rims is a trial and error process. Some tuning will usually be needed to achieve smooth performance. If you are looking for a dead smooth yoyo, there are already a multitude of budget metal yoyos that will provide what you’re looking for.“
Layer Infinity Rims
Layer Infinity also has a bunch of rims available to download and print:
