Forums > Technical Discussion > Dog Chain vs Ball Chain
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193 posts
Location: Manchester NH USA
193 posts
Location: Manchester NH USA
Posted:
I did a couple different searches on this, but couldn't really get my question answered. I just made my first set of fire poi, but i'm finding the dog chains to be a little too heavy?Is the ball chain just generally lighter or is there another reason that people are suggesting it more? If they can help me spin a little more smoothly i think that I'll upgrade.ThanksMatt------------------I dreamt that I ate a 10 pound marshmellow and then when I woke up, my pillow was gone!
I did a couple different searches on this, but couldn't really get my question answered. I just made my first set of fire poi, but i'm finding the dog chains to be a little too heavy?Is the ball chain just generally lighter or is there another reason that people are suggesting it more? If they can help me spin a little more smoothly i think that I'll upgrade.ThanksMatt------------------I dreamt that I ate a 10 pound marshmellow and then when I woke up, my pillow was gone!
I dreamt that I ate a 10 pound marshmellow and then when I woke up, my pillow was gone!
old hand
877 posts
Location: Edmonton, AB
877 posts
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posted:
It's all in preference. Ball chain is lighter and the whole chain acts as a swivel so it does feel smoother. Some people like the heavyness of dogchain with less movement down the chain so they can "feel" the twists and turns near the handle.------------------[]Dhuong-Vu Truong==== []Dhunky ====
It's all in preference. Ball chain is lighter and the whole chain acts as a swivel so it does feel smoother. Some people like the heavyness of dogchain with less movement down the chain so they can "feel" the twists and turns near the handle.------------------[]Dhuong-Vu Truong==== []Dhunky ====
veteran
1,325 posts
Location: San Diego, California, USA
1,325 posts
Location: San Diego, California, USA
Posted:
Would the "chain" from the PureFlame Poi be considered dog-chain? I have yet to figure out what it's called
Would the "chain" from the PureFlame Poi be considered dog-chain? I have yet to figure out what it's called
poo-bah
1,015 posts
Location: Austin TX USA
1,015 posts
Location: Austin TX USA
Posted:
Kinudin--The chain on the pure-flame poi in the HoP shop is not chain at all--it's cable. Cable is another critter entirely.Dog chain is a normal chain with links formed of rings, though usually with dog-chain, each ring is shaped so that the whole chain can lie flat.
Kinudin--The chain on the pure-flame poi in the HoP shop is not chain at all--it's cable. Cable is another critter entirely.Dog chain is a normal chain with links formed of rings, though usually with dog-chain, each ring is shaped so that the whole chain can lie flat.
Laugh while you can, monkey-boy
veteran
1,325 posts
Location: San Diego, California, USA
1,325 posts
Location: San Diego, California, USA
Posted:
That's why almost all of the chains, cables, connecty-thingamajig's in CoL2 look totally different
That's why almost all of the chains, cables, connecty-thingamajig's in CoL2 look totally different
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
Ball chain swivels, is light, strong, comfortable to grip to shorten chain, and doesn't easily tangle.I'd suggest at least trying it. I find very few negatives to using it.
Ball chain swivels, is light, strong, comfortable to grip to shorten chain, and doesn't easily tangle.I'd suggest at least trying it. I find very few negatives to using it.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
member
428 posts
Location: Mystic, Ct. USA
428 posts
Location: Mystic, Ct. USA
Posted:
only thing with the ball chain is the little connector doohickeys you put on the ends can be sort of sharp and annoying for wrapping or hitting yourself in the eye with (!) which wouldn't be there with dog chain. but i do like the ballchain anyway since i don't do much wrapping.Pere
only thing with the ball chain is the little connector doohickeys you put on the ends can be sort of sharp and annoying for wrapping or hitting yourself in the eye with (!) which wouldn't be there with dog chain. but i do like the ballchain anyway since i don't do much wrapping.Pere
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
I find em better for wrapping. But that's just me.
I find em better for wrapping. But that's just me.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
member
406 posts
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA
406 posts
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA
Posted:
Go to Petsmart or something like it, and look for finer gauges of chain. They make some pretty thin stuff at all different lengths. Dog choke collars. I haven't used ball-chain yet, but I have had no problems with the chain I am using now. it is chrome dipped, so it is nice and smooth for wraps, but, it twists. Attach a swivel and clip like the kind in the shop, and it will help with some of the twisting.------------------I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here.~~~Dance as if noone is watching!~~~PLUR(RE) ---J---
Go to Petsmart or something like it, and look for finer gauges of chain. They make some pretty thin stuff at all different lengths. Dog choke collars. I haven't used ball-chain yet, but I have had no problems with the chain I am using now. it is chrome dipped, so it is nice and smooth for wraps, but, it twists. Attach a swivel and clip like the kind in the shop, and it will help with some of the twisting.------------------I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here.~~~Dance as if noone is watching!~~~PLUR(RE) ---J---
FREE TIBET!!! (with the purchase of a 44 oz. drink)What do you want to be when you grow up?I want to be a kid again!I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.~~~J~~~
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
Advantages to ball chain:- lighter- built in swivels- easier on your hands/skin- doesn't hold as much heat (fewer burns & cools faster)- doesn't tangle as easily- untangles very easily- you can slip out of it quickly if you accidently wrap it around your arm or whatever (it rolls right off)- much safer all aroundDisadvantage:- if you dunk your ball chain in the fuel by accident, the little balls hold fuel. Be sure to spin out REALLY well if this happens.Use the stainless steel ball chain in 13 gauge or bigger. Aluminum or brass ball chain is weaker (aluminum is definitely too weak), and 10 gauge ball chain is borderline on being strong enough to handle the job - 13 gauge has twice the tensil strength of 10. Plus the larger the ball, the less likely it is to tangle and the easier it untangles.
Advantages to ball chain:- lighter- built in swivels- easier on your hands/skin- doesn't hold as much heat (fewer burns & cools faster)- doesn't tangle as easily- untangles very easily- you can slip out of it quickly if you accidently wrap it around your arm or whatever (it rolls right off)- much safer all aroundDisadvantage:- if you dunk your ball chain in the fuel by accident, the little balls hold fuel. Be sure to spin out REALLY well if this happens.Use the stainless steel ball chain in 13 gauge or bigger. Aluminum or brass ball chain is weaker (aluminum is definitely too weak), and 10 gauge ball chain is borderline on being strong enough to handle the job - 13 gauge has twice the tensil strength of 10. Plus the larger the ball, the less likely it is to tangle and the easier it untangles.
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
member
337 posts
Location: amsterdam..i wish
337 posts
Location: amsterdam..i wish
Posted:
peregrine~~~as for the sharp edges when connecting the connectors to the chain use a smnall piece of shrink tupe, you know the stuff that is rubbery like then when you heat it up with a lighter or something then it shrinks to fit the chain and wraps over the sharp edges.p.l.u.r.r.xtremravr
peregrine~~~as for the sharp edges when connecting the connectors to the chain use a smnall piece of shrink tupe, you know the stuff that is rubbery like then when you heat it up with a lighter or something then it shrinks to fit the chain and wraps over the sharp edges.p.l.u.r.r.xtremravr
Peace Luv Uni-t Respect Responsa-what?!?! Xtrem
member
428 posts
Location: Mystic, Ct. USA
428 posts
Location: Mystic, Ct. USA
Posted:
but that's not going to work on the end next to the fire though...
but that's not going to work on the end next to the fire though...
member
195 posts
195 posts
Posted:
yeah, Pere, I know what you're talking about. probably best just to file, or brush off the edge that'll scratch. I don't spin fire, yet, but I've cut myself many-a-time practicing wraps with glowsticks& ball chain type 'a' coupling...
yeah, Pere, I know what you're talking about. probably best just to file, or brush off the edge that'll scratch. I don't spin fire, yet, but I've cut myself many-a-time practicing wraps with glowsticks& ball chain type 'a' coupling...
member
750 posts
Location: Adelaide, SA, Australia
750 posts
Location: Adelaide, SA, Australia
Posted:
vanize - good advice:(paraphrasing) "Don't dunk your balls in the fuel"
vanize - good advice:(paraphrasing) "Don't dunk your balls in the fuel"
Courage is the man who can stop after only one peanut
addict
522 posts
Location: Sheffield
522 posts
Location: Sheffield
Posted:
Hey peregrine, I had the same problem but I covered them in kevlar and no pain!I tried it first with thin rope but it was not too secure so I used some of the lighter fluffy string that is sometimes used to make fire eating wicks.Spose just plain old cotton strips would last quite a few burns if ya tied them on tight. Plus, it is possible to get Kevlar thread to sew kevlar wicking together but I have yet to find some to purchase. Is it all a conspiracy? Hope that helps,TEMPEST
Hey peregrine, I had the same problem but I covered them in kevlar and no pain!
I tried it first with thin rope but it was not too secure so I used some of the lighter fluffy string that is sometimes used to make fire eating wicks.Spose just plain old cotton strips would last quite a few burns if ya tied them on tight. Plus, it is possible to get Kevlar thread to sew kevlar wicking together but I have yet to find some to purchase. Is it all a conspiracy? Hope that helps,TEMPEST GOLD Member
stranger
1 post
Location: USA
stranger
1 post
Location: USA
Posted:
I have had ball chain break on me... during a show... for kids. It was horrifying as my poi flew into the audience.
The problem with ball chain is that you can't see inside the balls. So if a tiny rock gets in there, it could crack or break the smaller ball inside the larger one that holds the "links" together. So even when you check your tools, you can't tell if there's a problem.
I have used ball chain for 8 years because I like the feel of it, but I'm off to buy dogchain now because I never, ever want that to happen again during a show.
It's probably fine for practice poi, but consider dogchain for fire poi. I had heard of this happening before, but was kinda ignoring the advice cause I liked ball chain.
I have had ball chain break on me... during a show... for kids. It was horrifying as my poi flew into the audience.
The problem with ball chain is that you can't see inside the balls. So if a tiny rock gets in there, it could crack or break the smaller ball inside the larger one that holds the "links" together. So even when you check your tools, you can't tell if there's a problem.
I have used ball chain for 8 years because I like the feel of it, but I'm off to buy dogchain now because I never, ever want that to happen again during a show.
It's probably fine for practice poi, but consider dogchain for fire poi. I had heard of this happening before, but was kinda ignoring the advice cause I liked ball chain.
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