Forums > Technical Discussion > What kind of poi have U made ?
Login/Join to Participatemember
54 posts
Location: Sheffield, England
54 posts
Location: Sheffield, England
Posted:
I use tail poi with swivels and double finger loops and have just started experimenting with stretchy sock poi with liquid filled balls in the end.
[ 24. July 2003, 10:20: Message edited by: Werekitten ]
I use tail poi with swivels and double finger loops and have just started experimenting with stretchy sock poi with liquid filled balls in the end.
[ 24. July 2003, 10:20: Message edited by: Werekitten ]
An innocent child will usually have the most evil intentions
BRONZE Member
member
44 posts
Location: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
member
44 posts
Location: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Posted:
Heh
Sock poi with water balloons in the ends....
Great on a hot day
Heh
Sock poi with water balloons in the ends....
Great on a hot day
BRONZE Member
Corporate Circus Arts Entertainer
3,989 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Corporate Circus Arts Entertainer
3,989 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posted:
my poi are of a truly unusual design...
rather than employ swivels and carabiners, I've found a totally new way to reduce wear to tear.
In fact, it is now almost non existant, meaning all the maintenace required is replacing the wicks. Nothig else. At all...
Here's the secret, rather than making them out of ballchain, chain or wire with handles, make the whole set with one long piece of extruded aluminium. attach wicks at each end as per usual, and, instead of using the standard poi moves, you actually use the staff moves instead.
Its brilliant!!!
my poi are of a truly unusual design...
rather than employ swivels and carabiners, I've found a totally new way to reduce wear to tear.
In fact, it is now almost non existant, meaning all the maintenace required is replacing the wicks. Nothig else. At all...
Here's the secret, rather than making them out of ballchain, chain or wire with handles, make the whole set with one long piece of extruded aluminium. attach wicks at each end as per usual, and, instead of using the standard poi moves, you actually use the staff moves instead.
Its brilliant!!!
HoP Posting Guidelines
* Is it the Truth?
* Is it Fair to all concerned?
* Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
* Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,617 posts
Location: Berlin, Ireland
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,617 posts
Location: Berlin, Ireland
Posted:
Charles that sounds like a light saber, you're describing.
Charles that sounds like a light saber, you're describing.
I live in a world of infinite possibilities.
HoP Lurker
272 posts
Location: Medway, Kent, UK
272 posts
Location: Medway, Kent, UK
Posted:
I started with tail-poi (swivel, double finger-loops), managed to brake those within 2 weeks So I botched them back together.
I then made some windsock-poi, which are a cross between sock and tail poi, they had swivels and double finger loops. Best thing about these are they just don't tie up as often as tail-poi
From there I got my fire-poi, then made more windsock ones, sold my original set and eventually started making sock-poi.
My sock-poi originally used double finger-loops and swivels but these days I can be bothered to keep making finger loops so.... no swivels no finger loops, just a chequered(sp?) pair of yellow/orange flouro sock poi (4 round, yellow/orange/yellow/orange and 5 sections high, as before but twisted 90 degrees ).
I thought I'd lost them but I found them at lunch, YAY. (about a month later )
Swivel/Finger-Loop free sock poi are handy as you can tie them together to make a meteor. Plenty of staff moves there Charles
Oh and I've also made bags for poi that are 2 times as tall as a tennis ball, so they are like sock-poi but with the hard to see string aspect you get with tail-poi, which is nice under UV. Oh and they taper off towards the string.
I started with tail-poi (swivel, double finger-loops), managed to brake those within 2 weeks So I botched them back together.
I then made some windsock-poi, which are a cross between sock and tail poi, they had swivels and double finger loops. Best thing about these are they just don't tie up as often as tail-poi
From there I got my fire-poi, then made more windsock ones, sold my original set and eventually started making sock-poi.
My sock-poi originally used double finger-loops and swivels but these days I can be bothered to keep making finger loops so.... no swivels no finger loops, just a chequered(sp?) pair of yellow/orange flouro sock poi (4 round, yellow/orange/yellow/orange and 5 sections high, as before but twisted 90 degrees ).
I thought I'd lost them but I found them at lunch, YAY. (about a month later )
Swivel/Finger-Loop free sock poi are handy as you can tie them together to make a meteor. Plenty of staff moves there Charles
Oh and I've also made bags for poi that are 2 times as tall as a tennis ball, so they are like sock-poi but with the hard to see string aspect you get with tail-poi, which is nice under UV. Oh and they taper off towards the string.
*Oh, just for a minute,* my bed said.
"Don't lie to me," I grumbled.
*But you're so tired...*
member
1,591 posts
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
1,591 posts
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
Posted:
I have fire chains with metal rings for handles.
I made a pair of sock poi out of a pair of white socks with tennis balls inside of them (tennis balls were sliced up so they collapse a bit on impact for padding)
Then threw them into a cactus (the short with microscopic thorns that get into everything so I threw them away)
Now I use a pair of black socks with my steel rings from my fire poi tied on the ends for handles. Inside I have socks filled with rice and rolled up into a ball (if you crush rice it offers better weight per bulk and padding then anything else I can find)
Im going to sew some brightly coloured fabric onto these black socks to give them some zing. I really like the conical sort of shape of sock poi because it makes the whole poi visible not just the heads.
I have fire chains with metal rings for handles.
I made a pair of sock poi out of a pair of white socks with tennis balls inside of them (tennis balls were sliced up so they collapse a bit on impact for padding)
Then threw them into a cactus (the short with microscopic thorns that get into everything so I threw them away)
Now I use a pair of black socks with my steel rings from my fire poi tied on the ends for handles. Inside I have socks filled with rice and rolled up into a ball (if you crush rice it offers better weight per bulk and padding then anything else I can find)
Im going to sew some brightly coloured fabric onto these black socks to give them some zing. I really like the conical sort of shape of sock poi because it makes the whole poi visible not just the heads.
BRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Posted:
Well I've got loads of sock poi - socks with bags of rice in the end.
Other than that i have brought my poi and fire chains.
Oh i made some flags - material with curtain weights.
Well I've got loads of sock poi - socks with bags of rice in the end.
Other than that i have brought my poi and fire chains.
Oh i made some flags - material with curtain weights.
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
member
34 posts
Location: Wageningen, NL
34 posts
Location: Wageningen, NL
Posted:
happy summer solstice!
just 4 weeks ago a friend borrowed me his newbought 'kiwido' (colourful tailed soft fishshaped poi). In my enthousiasm to learn new moves (yes, you guessed right, i am struggling with the 4/5 beat weave ), the poi quickly got a worn look. I already had to replace the nylon strings as they broke at the connection to the poi (major design flaw). They also lost color from a few drops of rain. I want to return him proper ones so i bought him new ones (E 19.95!!! unbelievable).
Then i went straight to the hardware shop and for a few euro got me a complete set of chains with links and everything. My housemate helped me sow new poi from an old curtain (imitating the fishlike design of the poi i had ) but now the poi are much lighter than the chains. So when changing sides in the weave/chase they sort of drop out of air midway, while the cloth poi kept the string straight in that move.
For me as an amateur it is good that they are soft, so i need not wear protection stuff but I think they need some more weight. So what do you folks put in your socks? And do you swing them with chains or with string?
[ 21. June 2003, 10:27: Message edited by: Arakrys ]
happy summer solstice!
just 4 weeks ago a friend borrowed me his newbought 'kiwido' (colourful tailed soft fishshaped poi). In my enthousiasm to learn new moves (yes, you guessed right, i am struggling with the 4/5 beat weave ), the poi quickly got a worn look. I already had to replace the nylon strings as they broke at the connection to the poi (major design flaw). They also lost color from a few drops of rain. I want to return him proper ones so i bought him new ones (E 19.95!!! unbelievable).
Then i went straight to the hardware shop and for a few euro got me a complete set of chains with links and everything. My housemate helped me sow new poi from an old curtain (imitating the fishlike design of the poi i had ) but now the poi are much lighter than the chains. So when changing sides in the weave/chase they sort of drop out of air midway, while the cloth poi kept the string straight in that move.
For me as an amateur it is good that they are soft, so i need not wear protection stuff but I think they need some more weight. So what do you folks put in your socks? And do you swing them with chains or with string?
[ 21. June 2003, 10:27: Message edited by: Arakrys ]
member
34 posts
Location: Wageningen, NL
34 posts
Location: Wageningen, NL
Posted:
or should i just get lighter chains like on https://users.keyaccess.nl/~marqa01/firechains/construction.html
or should i just get lighter chains like on https://users.keyaccess.nl/~marqa01/firechains/construction.html
member
1,591 posts
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
1,591 posts
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
Posted:
i just get fairly long socks and spin them really fast untill they stretch out. once they stretch bad enough they lose their stretchyness (aslong as they aren't very stretchy socks to begin with) and you just hold the ends of socks and spin them. you will find with no loops of any sort to put your fingers through your hands will crap up quickly. There are a few options to alleviate this. You can tie a big giant knot in them so you have something to hold onto, tie the poi to a loop of some sort to put your fingers through (such as a rope tied into a loop, make sure it's smooth) Or you can use short socks that wont stretch at all and tie them onto some rope and put a loop in the end of the rope for a handle.
Or you can really loud your sock poi with rice so they outweigh your chains in a sufficient ratio to
stop them from doing funky things.
i just get fairly long socks and spin them really fast untill they stretch out. once they stretch bad enough they lose their stretchyness (aslong as they aren't very stretchy socks to begin with) and you just hold the ends of socks and spin them. you will find with no loops of any sort to put your fingers through your hands will crap up quickly. There are a few options to alleviate this. You can tie a big giant knot in them so you have something to hold onto, tie the poi to a loop of some sort to put your fingers through (such as a rope tied into a loop, make sure it's smooth) Or you can use short socks that wont stretch at all and tie them onto some rope and put a loop in the end of the rope for a handle.
Or you can really loud your sock poi with rice so they outweigh your chains in a sufficient ratio to
stop them from doing funky things.
member
9 posts
Location: Brussels, Belgium
9 posts
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Posted:
Im using a pair of very long stripy socks with juggling balls in the end. They are quite good, but I have aquired many a blister from them. The advantage of these is that the socks themselves are visible which is great for cool socks. My friend just got some rainbow ones, which are amazing!
I want to make some fire poi, but Im not sure about it yet. Does anyone have any tips for making them?
-Juan
Im using a pair of very long stripy socks with juggling balls in the end. They are quite good, but I have aquired many a blister from them. The advantage of these is that the socks themselves are visible which is great for cool socks. My friend just got some rainbow ones, which are amazing!
I want to make some fire poi, but Im not sure about it yet. Does anyone have any tips for making them?
-Juan
Meaningless, meaningless... Everything is meaningless -Ecc 1:2So lets just all swing Poi.
member
34 posts
Location: Wageningen, NL
34 posts
Location: Wageningen, NL
Posted:
Have a look in your local hardware store and see what sort of chains, clips etc they have. In stead of leather finger straps i use old bits of linnen. I had s.o. make buttonholes on it with a sowing machine for extra strength.
firechains.com doesn't mention that it is useful to add something between your hand and the poi that can take the torsion out of the chain. Here in the Netherlands it is called 'wartel', i learned yesterday, see a picture on https://www.ashima.nl/jpg/wartels.jpg.
In a kite shops i paid E1.35, probably cheaper in fishing utensil shops if you have one near. I was lucky and found a simple 40ct clip that doubles as a 'wartel'.
Later added: i now realise that these musketons also double as a anti torsion thingy
[ 22. June 2003, 00:49: Message edited by: Arakrys ]
quote:Lots of tips on https://www.firechains.com/!
I want to make some fire poi, but Im not sure about it yet. Does anyone have any tips for making them?
Have a look in your local hardware store and see what sort of chains, clips etc they have. In stead of leather finger straps i use old bits of linnen. I had s.o. make buttonholes on it with a sowing machine for extra strength.
firechains.com doesn't mention that it is useful to add something between your hand and the poi that can take the torsion out of the chain. Here in the Netherlands it is called 'wartel', i learned yesterday, see a picture on https://www.ashima.nl/jpg/wartels.jpg.
In a kite shops i paid E1.35, probably cheaper in fishing utensil shops if you have one near. I was lucky and found a simple 40ct clip that doubles as a 'wartel'.
Later added: i now realise that these musketons also double as a anti torsion thingy
[ 22. June 2003, 00:49: Message edited by: Arakrys ]
DIAMOND Member
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Posted:
FIRE POI !!!!!
you mean like fire on the end of poi
Surely that would be foolhardy and dangerous idea.
FIRE POI !!!!!
you mean like fire on the end of poi
Surely that would be foolhardy and dangerous idea.
Miss Whippy
1,262 posts
Location: Cornwall & Oxford
1,262 posts
Location: Cornwall & Oxford
Posted:
i made a set of practice poi this week.
They're nylon double finger loops with a ball chain and a ring at the end so i can attach a set of balls i made (tennis balls with a slit across one side and 4mm quick links put in sidways, so the opening is at the top, and tied all around with string and covered in duct tape) or change them to glow sticks or whatever i wanna spin.
Just the right length and weight for me
i made a set of practice poi this week.
They're nylon double finger loops with a ball chain and a ring at the end so i can attach a set of balls i made (tennis balls with a slit across one side and 4mm quick links put in sidways, so the opening is at the top, and tied all around with string and covered in duct tape) or change them to glow sticks or whatever i wanna spin.
Just the right length and weight for me
Aim high and you'll know your limits, aim low and you'll never know how high you could have climbed.
member
9 posts
Location: Brussels, Belgium
9 posts
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Posted:
Why do people use tennis balls? Juggling balls are so much squishier, and you can juggle with them. I cant, but you might.
I keep seeing the pretty pictures of fire poi. Im so jealous of all you people out there with firey toys.
Why do people use tennis balls? Juggling balls are so much squishier, and you can juggle with them. I cant, but you might.
I keep seeing the pretty pictures of fire poi. Im so jealous of all you people out there with firey toys.
Meaningless, meaningless... Everything is meaningless -Ecc 1:2So lets just all swing Poi.
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
quote:Cuz I made 30 pairs for like $20.
Why do people use tennis balls?
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
Pooh-Bah
2,419 posts
Location: la-la land
2,419 posts
Location: la-la land
Posted:
..and you can get them free is you are nice to the tennis club..
you can still juggle with tennis balls can't you?
..and you can get them free is you are nice to the tennis club..
you can still juggle with tennis balls can't you?
I honour you as an aspect of myself..
You are never to old to storm a bouncey castle..
HoP Lurker
272 posts
Location: Medway, Kent, UK
272 posts
Location: Medway, Kent, UK
Posted:
you can modify the weight of tennis balls really easily as well.
you can modify the weight of tennis balls really easily as well.
*Oh, just for a minute,* my bed said.
"Don't lie to me," I grumbled.
*But you're so tired...*
back from the dead...sort of
884 posts
Location: 43°41'N 79°38'W
884 posts
Location: 43°41'N 79°38'W
Posted:
Street hockey balls are just about same size, weight and price of tennis balls, but they're nice a vibrant orange...UV reactive 'n' everything. They are my practice poi of choice.
Street hockey balls are just about same size, weight and price of tennis balls, but they're nice a vibrant orange...UV reactive 'n' everything. They are my practice poi of choice.
BRONZE Member
veteran
1,495 posts
Location: Stillwater, Ok. USA
veteran
1,495 posts
Location: Stillwater, Ok. USA
Posted:
fluffy stuffed bunny poi on chains
fluffy stuffed bunny poi on chains
we eat and we drink and we smoke and we try!
DIAMOND Member
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Posted:
I used to swing 2 teddy bears suspended on nooses...
till I lost one, I got a fluuy rabbit to replace it, but the ears made it swing offline.
I used to swing 2 teddy bears suspended on nooses...
till I lost one, I got a fluuy rabbit to replace it, but the ears made it swing offline.
back from the dead...sort of
884 posts
Location: 43°41'N 79°38'W
884 posts
Location: 43°41'N 79°38'W
Posted:
If you're bored at work you can spin a couple of mouses.
If you're bored at work you can spin a couple of mouses.
member
51 posts
Location: London or Wiesbaden, Germany
51 posts
Location: London or Wiesbaden, Germany
Posted:
is the plural of a computer mouse 'mouses'? or also mice?....
what i actually wanted to know is if anyone has made triangular flags? ive tried my friend's but don't have them here for a pattern and need some size ideas...don't know about rectangular ones...
is the plural of a computer mouse 'mouses'? or also mice?....
what i actually wanted to know is if anyone has made triangular flags? ive tried my friend's but don't have them here for a pattern and need some size ideas...don't know about rectangular ones...
It aint broke...It just lacks large amounts of duct-tape!
I don't want a title.
940 posts
940 posts
Posted:
I've read a few people talking about using beanie babies for their practice poi, so I tried that this morning. Chains, a teddy bear on one and a very dour dog on the other, and handles made from leather scraps I had lying around. They feel good, don't hurt, and I like the look. (Low-quality picture is here).
Hm, and Cheshire, I think the plural is (well, should be) mousen.
I've read a few people talking about using beanie babies for their practice poi, so I tried that this morning. Chains, a teddy bear on one and a very dour dog on the other, and handles made from leather scraps I had lying around. They feel good, don't hurt, and I like the look. (Low-quality picture is here).
Hm, and Cheshire, I think the plural is (well, should be) mousen.
E pluribus unum, baby.
GOLD Member
ZORT!
3,045 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
ZORT!
3,045 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posted:
im trying to work out the best design for triangular flags at the moment. ive cut the fabric into an isoceles triangle about 80cm long, and as wide as my chains. ive doubled back the bottom edge, and sewn it so is forms a sort of long pouch open at one end. i can put my normal practice poi in the pouch, so the weight is at the bottom, and then hooked the top of the fabric to the chain with some eyelets.
hope ive explained it ok. send a note if you want a more wordy explanation.
i have tried both square flags and triangular flags, but there doesnt really seem to be much of a difference. altough ive found that square flags are bigger and look more impressive in a show.
in reference to the plural of mouse, i prefer the more greek sounding 'mousii'
cheers.
im trying to work out the best design for triangular flags at the moment. ive cut the fabric into an isoceles triangle about 80cm long, and as wide as my chains. ive doubled back the bottom edge, and sewn it so is forms a sort of long pouch open at one end. i can put my normal practice poi in the pouch, so the weight is at the bottom, and then hooked the top of the fabric to the chain with some eyelets.
hope ive explained it ok. send a note if you want a more wordy explanation.
i have tried both square flags and triangular flags, but there doesnt really seem to be much of a difference. altough ive found that square flags are bigger and look more impressive in a show.
in reference to the plural of mouse, i prefer the more greek sounding 'mousii'
cheers.
"Here kitty kitty...." - Schroedinger.
member
98 posts
98 posts
Posted:
how about meece??
and i spun a slinky like a meteor at a party last night.. it was... interesting. they actually stretch a lot more then you'd think.. hehehe. just dont try a butterfly.. tangled slinkys suck!
-- jon
how about meece??
and i spun a slinky like a meteor at a party last night.. it was... interesting. they actually stretch a lot more then you'd think.. hehehe. just dont try a butterfly.. tangled slinkys suck!
-- jon
---Formerly known as RaverRomantic---
AIM: RaverRomantic
member
34 posts
Location: a dry dusty type of hell i don't quite understand ...
34 posts
Location: a dry dusty type of hell i don't quite understand ...
Posted:
i know i'm new to this, but as i'm making my own poi, i've come up with quick exchanging ends. I got these key chain things that have two ends with a plunger type snap in the middle. They haven't ever snapped apart on me,(accidentaly) and i've put a good deal of weight on them. I got enough so that each type of head i feel like spinning has a male end and all my chains have female ends. They make good swivels, and the interchangabliity is fast and easy.
i know i'm new to this, but as i'm making my own poi, i've come up with quick exchanging ends. I got these key chain things that have two ends with a plunger type snap in the middle. They haven't ever snapped apart on me,(accidentaly) and i've put a good deal of weight on them. I got enough so that each type of head i feel like spinning has a male end and all my chains have female ends. They make good swivels, and the interchangabliity is fast and easy.
Strive to Love everything for exactly what it is. Even though you can never understand all the extents of anything.
SILVER Member
Northeast USA Firespinner
122 posts
Location: Connecticut, USA
Northeast USA Firespinner
122 posts
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posted:
Made rubbber "stretchy" poi out of some rubber tubing I had lying around, they've got some quick links on the end.. I put my beamers on them for much more excitement Spin em fast for longer.. and slower for shorter
Made rubbber "stretchy" poi out of some rubber tubing I had lying around, they've got some quick links on the end.. I put my beamers on them for much more excitement Spin em fast for longer.. and slower for shorter
old hand
725 posts
Location: Chester, UK
725 posts
Location: Chester, UK
Posted:
Calico covered, foam head with an 8-way plait and incorporated tassels for hand grips.
No pain
Calico covered, foam head with an 8-way plait and incorporated tassels for hand grips.
No pain
Spoiling Christmas for small children since 2003.
member
54 posts
Location: Sheffield, England
54 posts
Location: Sheffield, England
Posted:
Contrary to popular beleif I do keep cheaking this thread for good idea's so pls keep posting
Contrary to popular beleif I do keep cheaking this thread for good idea's so pls keep posting
An innocent child will usually have the most evil intentions
PLATINUM Member
Hyperloops suck
595 posts
Location: USA
Hyperloops suck
595 posts
Location: USA
Posted:
Shoelaces with glowsticks at the end until my 13 gauge ball chains with double finger loops and D-links arrive. I can't wait.
Shoelaces with glowsticks at the end until my 13 gauge ball chains with double finger loops and D-links arrive. I can't wait.
© 1998 - 2025 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com