You dont have to use the string to spin it you know. Get the powerball, and put your thumb on the outside of the spinning part, then with a quick flick across the ball, it should start spinning. Then all you need to do is keep up the momentum. The string has 2 plastic bits on either end (stick some superglue on the so they dont pull off) that fit into a hole in the ball, which you then wrap around and use it as a pull start Send us a PM if you dont understand what I mean