The Kendama Forum

Forum categories => Gear => Topic started by: Hippo Samurai on 05 November, 2012, 03:43:22

Title: Kendama keeps coming apart
Post by: Hippo Samurai on 05 November, 2012, 03:43:22
Hello! First post on this particular forum. I'm on a few other forums, and there are always new people that ask the same question that every other new person does. This question is probably among those questions that make you groan, but please hear me out.

My kendama keeps coming apart. The cross piece separates from the rest of the ken, or slips around. I've had it for about a week now, and I was surprised that it was getting worn out already.   Thanks!
Title: Re: Kendama keeps coming apart
Post by: BKA on 05 November, 2012, 11:28:48
It could be your string is twisted up under the cross piece, causing a blockage. Or you just haven't firmly pushed it down onto the ken. If neither of those, then solutions are to glue the cross-piece onto the ken, or to use a small grub-screw to screw it on (go through the string hole you aren't using at a slight downward angle.)

Unfortunately both of those solutions will make it awkward to change a string later on, but there you go. :-/
Title: Re: Kendama keeps coming apart
Post by: HansNickmans on 05 November, 2012, 12:44:59
I had the same problem with my cheese kendama when I first got it. I solve it by making a loop knot at the end of the string (after it has gone through the hole in the sarado and the ken) and pinch that loop under the sarado. The pressure, after some trial and error with the right knot, will keep the sarado into place. This worked with a couple of my kendamas. It's not a permanent solution, but it helps if you don't want to use screws or glue. And it doesn't affect the balance of your ken.
Title: Re: Kendama keeps coming apart
Post by: primechicken on 05 November, 2012, 17:39:13
if you don't want to use glue, try out a tribute! They never come apart. I've had mine for a few weeks now and I love it. Some people complain that the way the cross-piece is manufactured changes the feel of the ken when doing certain tricks but nothing you can't adapt to . Seriously recommend trying out a tribute from KendamaUSA! paint is hella durable too
Title: Re: Kendama keeps coming apart
Post by: MasterKatra42 on 05 November, 2012, 19:54:34
I'd recommend getting a Tribute dama for this reason also.  The sarado wiggles very slightly (<1mm) but the cups never slip.  It's also a lighthouse magnet after the paint breaks in.  I was 6/10 for double turn lighthouses the other day in practice.  Takes a little getting used to, but nothing a regular player can't adjust to.
Title: Re: Kendama keeps coming apart
Post by: AlexSmith on 06 November, 2012, 01:21:35
Some brands are worse then others for this, my solution is usually a *small* dab of regular old white glue. I know some people use super glue, but thats overkill in my opinion, white glue works fine, but still allows you to twist the sarado off when it comes time to change a string.

And, as mentioned, the Tribute kendamas from www.kendamausa.com (http://www.kendamausa.com) simply cannot come apart. I've had the chance to play with pretty much every different version of the Tribute kens, and the newest batch are by far the best yet. Awesome kendamas, a great fix for loose sarados, and restringing the ken is much simpler!
Title: Re: Kendama keeps coming apart
Post by: BKA on 12 May, 2014, 14:41:13
Bit of a necropost, but this needs to be referenced here:
Sweets Kendamas | Tutorials | How to : Fix Loose Cups (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MRIAs7lj6c#ws)

#postit #note
Title: Re: Kendama keeps coming apart
Post by: isaacsdad on 12 May, 2014, 23:02:49
You can also try a little bit of masking tape or electrician's tape on the ken near the string hole to tighten the fit of the cups. Wrap the tape around the ken and slide the sarado over it. Trim away excess that may stick out after fitting parts together. Works for me.
Title: Re: Kendama keeps coming apart
Post by: the milky oolong on 15 May, 2014, 00:38:58
[user]Hippo Samurai[/user]: a fair complaint. The finest-tuned, most highly-polished kendama I have in my collection right now has a folded bit of underground rail ticket wedged under the sarado. I guess nobody/nothing's perfect :) Luckily, as I have just learned too, there are loads of really simple ways to smooth out the rough bits and get your kendama saying 'clAck' again instead of 'CLuhhh...'