Forums > Technical Discussion > Glowing Sock Poi?
Login/Join to ParticipateBRONZE Member
member
92 posts
Location: just behind your left shoulder, Australia
member
92 posts
Location: just behind your left shoulder, Australia
Posted:
Hey,
I've been spinning for just a little while now (since Xmas), but have noticed that most people, when using poi at night go for either the glowsticking option, the fire option, or have a groovy (but not cheap) set of electro glow poi, LED ones or something along those lines.
Most people, myself included, seem to have learnt on sock poi (which are perfect for the purpose), but these have the fairly important diminution that you can't use them at night. I haven't been spinning long enough to really be looking to buy some of the more expensive poi of this ilk (though I'm starting to prowl the streets for a good set of LED ones), but most of the spinning I do is when I get home from uni, or at the gathering at Glebe on Thursday nights - both night-time spin sessions. As a result, I've been using a set of Sock Poi of thin material (with gravel in the end for weight - and to teach me not to make mistakes
) with a glow stick slid down inside. What's interested me is that I really haven't seen anyone else doing this - is it because there is some intangible taboo about mixing glow and poi? Are glow sticks too expensive for the amateur like myself? Does the radiant light from the glow stick emit unseen gamma radiation which will turn me into a wizened and carcinogenic old crone in a few years time?
Anyway, the sort of point of this thread (if anything this tangential can be said to have a point) was to mention the mini-glowsticks I've been using for this purpose. I've recently left a summer job at a fishing tackle store (ugh, retail) where they sold mini glowsticks to be used for fishing deep water at night for various animals with eyes bigger than their heads. Anyway, these mini glowsticks are about $2-$3 each and are between about 50 and 75mm long, but give out a bright glow and are the perfect size to be used in sock poi to give them a bit of light for night spinning. I don't know if people have seen these before (I've had a few people surprised that glowsticks come so small), but I personally have found them massively useful and wondered if anyone else has used these, or whether they're still primarily the domain of the fisherman poi-spinner. If you're interested, PM me and I'll try and find purchase details.
Hey,
I've been spinning for just a little while now (since Xmas), but have noticed that most people, when using poi at night go for either the glowsticking option, the fire option, or have a groovy (but not cheap) set of electro glow poi, LED ones or something along those lines.
Most people, myself included, seem to have learnt on sock poi (which are perfect for the purpose), but these have the fairly important diminution that you can't use them at night. I haven't been spinning long enough to really be looking to buy some of the more expensive poi of this ilk (though I'm starting to prowl the streets for a good set of LED ones), but most of the spinning I do is when I get home from uni, or at the gathering at Glebe on Thursday nights - both night-time spin sessions. As a result, I've been using a set of Sock Poi of thin material (with gravel in the end for weight - and to teach me not to make mistakes
) with a glow stick slid down inside. What's interested me is that I really haven't seen anyone else doing this - is it because there is some intangible taboo about mixing glow and poi? Are glow sticks too expensive for the amateur like myself? Does the radiant light from the glow stick emit unseen gamma radiation which will turn me into a wizened and carcinogenic old crone in a few years time?Anyway, the sort of point of this thread (if anything this tangential can be said to have a point) was to mention the mini-glowsticks I've been using for this purpose. I've recently left a summer job at a fishing tackle store (ugh, retail) where they sold mini glowsticks to be used for fishing deep water at night for various animals with eyes bigger than their heads. Anyway, these mini glowsticks are about $2-$3 each and are between about 50 and 75mm long, but give out a bright glow and are the perfect size to be used in sock poi to give them a bit of light for night spinning. I don't know if people have seen these before (I've had a few people surprised that glowsticks come so small), but I personally have found them massively useful and wondered if anyone else has used these, or whether they're still primarily the domain of the fisherman poi-spinner. If you're interested, PM me and I'll try and find purchase details.
C8H18 + 12.5O2 ---------> 8CO2 + 9H2O + you know what
SILVER Member
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Posted:
I do this as well if I want to use my socks while glowing, but I usually have slow sticks on my chains as well as on shoelaces (in the spirit of the glowstick of course), so I'll have 3 sets of glowy poi. I'm working on getting some beamers for the chains though.
I do this as well if I want to use my socks while glowing, but I usually have slow sticks on my chains as well as on shoelaces (in the spirit of the glowstick of course), so I'll have 3 sets of glowy poi. I'm working on getting some beamers for the chains though.
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> STAY SAFE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug.gif" alt="" />
GOLD Member
Pooh-Bah
2,110 posts
Location: Philadelphia, PA - USA
Pooh-Bah
2,110 posts
Location: Philadelphia, PA - USA
Posted:
I, too, have put glow sticks in socks. Works really well if your socks are made of the right material that lets light through. I have found something better for this though... The led sticks sold in HoP's shop. They're just about the same price as your average glow stick, glow just as bright, but last a lot longer and you can turn them off whenever youre not using them.
I, too, have put glow sticks in socks. Works really well if your socks are made of the right material that lets light through. I have found something better for this though... The led sticks sold in HoP's shop. They're just about the same price as your average glow stick, glow just as bright, but last a lot longer and you can turn them off whenever youre not using them.
Let's turn those old bridges we crossed into ashes.
We'll blaze a new trail,
and torch the rough patches.
-Me
SILVER Member
member
186 posts
Location: San Francisco, USA
member
186 posts
Location: San Francisco, USA
Posted:
You could use just about anything really. In fact a sock would be great to combine with LED sticks, since you could include some kind of translucent padding material in there to make them less lethal, and it'd spread out the light.
People spin anything. As long as it's not a live animal or something sharp, I don't think there are any prejudices to be had. (although I did see a site that recommended sock poi with hamsters or kittens in em
)
You could use just about anything really. In fact a sock would be great to combine with LED sticks, since you could include some kind of translucent padding material in there to make them less lethal, and it'd spread out the light.
People spin anything. As long as it's not a live animal or something sharp, I don't think there are any prejudices to be had. (although I did see a site that recommended sock poi with hamsters or kittens in em
) "Ours is not to question The Head; it is enough to revel in the ubiquitous inanity of The Head, the unwanted proximity of The Head, the unrelenting HellPresence of The Head, indeed the very UNYIELDING IRRELEVANCE of The Head!" --Revelation X
GOLD Member
Pooh-Bah
2,110 posts
Location: Philadelphia, PA - USA
Pooh-Bah
2,110 posts
Location: Philadelphia, PA - USA
Posted:
Whos got the pics of squirrel poi and those crazy spiked/knife poi someone made?
Hehe, those were classic.
Whos got the pics of squirrel poi and those crazy spiked/knife poi someone made?
Hehe, those were classic.
Let's turn those old bridges we crossed into ashes.
We'll blaze a new trail,
and torch the rough patches.
-Me
SILVER Member
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Posted:
I attached a few of the LED superbright keyrings to my socks with really good results- I clipped them inside and pused the LED bulbs through the socks at the head end, and wove another into the handles so I could see waht I was doing for catches. They were a little fragile (the bulbs disappeared inside occasionally) but generally worked really well
I attached a few of the LED superbright keyrings to my socks with really good results- I clipped them inside and pused the LED bulbs through the socks at the head end, and wove another into the handles so I could see waht I was doing for catches. They were a little fragile (the bulbs disappeared inside occasionally) but generally worked really well
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
Have a look at this page showing how to make very cheap and easy, but extremely nice looking, LED glo-sox: -
https://www.geocities.com/combatunicycle/electrosock/electrosock.html
Good thing about these is that they're a lot cheaper to run than using chemical sticks, and they take advantage of the directionality of the LEDs to light up the length of the sock.
(Incidently, when I put up that page I did so in the spirit of passing on a useful toy to the spinning community and asked, in return, that if anyone could see a way to cheaply and easily add some kind of basic strobe to the effect, to let me know and I could then add it to the page.
So, do let me know if anyone can help with that).
Have a look at this page showing how to make very cheap and easy, but extremely nice looking, LED glo-sox: -
https://www.geocities.com/combatunicycle/electrosock/electrosock.html
Good thing about these is that they're a lot cheaper to run than using chemical sticks, and they take advantage of the directionality of the LEDs to light up the length of the sock.
(Incidently, when I put up that page I did so in the spirit of passing on a useful toy to the spinning community and asked, in return, that if anyone could see a way to cheaply and easily add some kind of basic strobe to the effect, to let me know and I could then add it to the page.
So, do let me know if anyone can help with that).
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,014 posts
Location: Galveston, TX, USA
Pooh-Bah
2,014 posts
Location: Galveston, TX, USA
Posted:
People often switch to some form of permanent glowy poi for cost reasons. If you plan on spinning for any length of time (not per session, but months or years) than it certainly is more economical to purchase some form of led poi or battery operated. Like you've said, each glowstick you purchase is about $2-3, which can add up VERY quickly. At least that's my reason for having something other than glowstick poi.
People often switch to some form of permanent glowy poi for cost reasons. If you plan on spinning for any length of time (not per session, but months or years) than it certainly is more economical to purchase some form of led poi or battery operated. Like you've said, each glowstick you purchase is about $2-3, which can add up VERY quickly. At least that's my reason for having something other than glowstick poi.
GOLD Member
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
Posted:
There's certainly to 'taboo' about combining glow with sock.
Personally, I chopped off the end of my socks and added some silk instead, many people have used nets, the ones from the persil washin powder. Put some glowy juggling balls inside and away you go.
Daves geocities page looks like a very good way to do it cheaply
There's certainly to 'taboo' about combining glow with sock.
Personally, I chopped off the end of my socks and added some silk instead, many people have used nets, the ones from the persil washin powder. Put some glowy juggling balls inside and away you go.
Daves geocities page looks like a very good way to do it cheaply
Let's relight this forum 
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
6,207 posts
Location: "In your ear", United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
6,207 posts
Location: "In your ear", United Kingdom
Posted:
YEY for onewheeldave hammer head poi
YEY for onewheeldave hammer head poi
Step (el-nombrie)
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
Tights.. tights? They let a lot of light through, but are perhaps a bit too stretchy to be reliably spun..
Tights.. tights? They let a lot of light through, but are perhaps a bit too stretchy to be reliably spun..
What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
BRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada
Posted:
I bought these soft spiky balls with LEDs in them, they flash but I put four of them in the toe of a pair of tights ( I was thinking white fishnets,,,but I couldn't find any ) tied off the end and cut off the excess fabric. I attached them to my poi chains but,,,,they do stretch, enough to be an annoyance. I like the plastic netting idea, and I'm keeping my eyes open for some. The total cost worked out to about 10 USD, mind you I did swipe the tights from my wife
I bought these soft spiky balls with LEDs in them, they flash but I put four of them in the toe of a pair of tights ( I was thinking white fishnets,,,but I couldn't find any ) tied off the end and cut off the excess fabric. I attached them to my poi chains but,,,,they do stretch, enough to be an annoyance. I like the plastic netting idea, and I'm keeping my eyes open for some. The total cost worked out to about 10 USD, mind you I did swipe the tights from my wife
BRONZE Member
member
92 posts
Location: just behind your left shoulder, Australia
member
92 posts
Location: just behind your left shoulder, Australia
Posted:
Thanks for all the advice on the cheap LED ones! I am looking to buy (or make, thanks onewheeldave!) a good set of LED ones to minimise the cost of the glowies, the main reason I've used them so far is I get them at staff prices for 60c rather than the marked $2.95. I do like the other ideas for things to do as a substitute for glow sticks, shall have to give them a shot at some stage.
Thanks for all the advice on the cheap LED ones! I am looking to buy (or make, thanks onewheeldave!) a good set of LED ones to minimise the cost of the glowies, the main reason I've used them so far is I get them at staff prices for 60c rather than the marked $2.95
. I do like the other ideas for things to do as a substitute for glow sticks, shall have to give them a shot at some stage. C8H18 + 12.5O2 ---------> 8CO2 + 9H2O + you know what
BRONZE Member
chemical attraction
1,097 posts
Location: Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England
chemical attraction
1,097 posts
Location: Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England
Posted:
never tried that.i generally use fire and i also have a set of aerotech meteors.
never tried that.i generally use fire and i also have a set of aerotech meteors.
BRONZE Member
member
92 posts
Location: just behind your left shoulder, Australia
member
92 posts
Location: just behind your left shoulder, Australia
Posted:
*totally off topic*
-RT ln K = H - TS?
That's the formula for Gibbs' free energy right? Argh, start back at uni on 7th, 3 months of retail work has destroyed my Chemistry knowledge. *curls into foetal position and cries quietly whilst cuddling up to a bottle of nitrous oxide*
*totally off topic*
-RT ln K = H - TS?
That's the formula for Gibbs' free energy right? Argh, start back at uni on 7th, 3 months of retail work has destroyed my Chemistry knowledge. *curls into foetal position and cries quietly whilst cuddling up to a bottle of nitrous oxide*
C8H18 + 12.5O2 ---------> 8CO2 + 9H2O + you know what
SILVER Member
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Posted:
I'd like to thank Dave for this design It works like a charm for me (although I'm using AAA batteries right now because they didn't carry 2 AA battery cases -.- they carried 1, 4 and 8...)
I've got a pair of electro-diffusing glow sock poi -.- such a long name mate...
I've got a pair of Hammerhead Version 2 sock poi here with me now. It was a bit more expensive than I figured a fiver would translate over to, but it might be because I tried to buy a switch for it as well, only to realise that 1) I didn't have all the stuff I needed for the hammer head ones, and 2) it was a momentary contact switch (aka, I'd need to hold it down). Either way, not a bad use for $15 (I also bought really good batteries -.-)
Written by: onewheeldave
Have a look at this page showing how to make very cheap and easy, but extremely nice looking, LED glo-sox: -
https://www.geocities.com/combatunicycle/electrosock/electrosock.html
Good thing about these is that they're a lot cheaper to run than using chemical sticks, and they take advantage of the directionality of the LEDs to light up the length of the sock.
(Incidently, when I put up that page I did so in the spirit of passing on a useful toy to the spinning community and asked, in return, that if anyone could see a way to cheaply and easily add some kind of basic strobe to the effect, to let me know and I could then add it to the page.
So, do let me know if anyone can help with that).
I'd like to thank Dave for this design
It works like a charm for me (although I'm using AAA batteries right now because they didn't carry 2 AA battery cases -.- they carried 1, 4 and 8...)I've got a pair of electro-diffusing glow sock poi -.- such a long name mate...
I've got a pair of Hammerhead Version 2 sock poi here with me now. It was a bit more expensive than I figured a fiver would translate over to, but it might be because I tried to buy a switch for it as well, only to realise that 1) I didn't have all the stuff I needed for the hammer head ones, and 2) it was a momentary contact switch (aka, I'd need to hold it down). Either way, not a bad use for $15 (I also bought really good batteries -.-)
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> STAY SAFE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug.gif" alt="" />
Flaming Lesbian
181 posts
Location: Portland, Oregon
181 posts
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posted:
...or you could just get a couple of really big black lights (ala Burnt Toast - Glow (sekzee)) and spin white socks without glowsticks
...or you could just get a couple of really big black lights (ala Burnt Toast - Glow (sekzee)) and spin white socks without glowsticks
Lights dancing off my skin as chains wrap round it.
Pain is in a little box and I'm so glad I found it.
GOLD Member
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
Posted:
yeah, or you could just but a stroboscope in a sock :/
the ledpoi hammerhead is a good one... might be building some ledpoi too these days
yeah, or you could just but a stroboscope in a sock :/
the ledpoi hammerhead is a good one... might be building some ledpoi too these days
"Don’t know how long, this one’s gonna take;
I could fail, but I’d rather be a fuckup, than a fake"
SILVER Member
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Posted:
Just a helpful tip here...
Remember, never solder your LEDs to the battery case...especially while there is batteries in it, and the circuit is complete
I just blew up my batteries, halfway melted the case, and burnt my lip -.-
I had the circuit completed to make sure it was conenected as I soldered it. I took my sweet time in soldering and didn't notice the batteries over heating...and by over heating I mean getting to the point of melting the plastic casing -.-
No worries though, I'm ordering my beamers on Monday, and should get them in 2-3 weeks
Just a helpful tip here...
Remember, never solder your LEDs to the battery case...especially while there is batteries in it, and the circuit is complete
I just blew up my batteries, halfway melted the case, and burnt my lip -.-
I had the circuit completed to make sure it was conenected as I soldered it. I took my sweet time in soldering and didn't notice the batteries over heating...and by over heating I mean getting to the point of melting the plastic casing -.-
No worries though, I'm ordering my beamers on Monday, and should get them in 2-3 weeks
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> STAY SAFE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug.gif" alt="" />
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
I'll just point out that neither of the sock poi designs I put up use any soldering, so there's no dangers of exploding batteries with them.
Cheers for sharing your experience immortalangel- it's not something I was aware could happen- it's useful when people post stuff like that.
I'll just point out that neither of the sock poi designs I put up use any soldering, so there's no dangers of exploding batteries with them.
Cheers for sharing your experience immortalangel- it's not something I was aware could happen- it's useful when people post stuff like that.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
On the topic of finding something to replace the socks (something a little more translucent / strong / not stretchy), has anyone else thought of using rip-stop nylon? It's pretty cheap from kite shops and making a cone to fit a tennis ball or similar isn't a huge amount of work
On the topic of finding something to replace the socks (something a little more translucent / strong / not stretchy), has anyone else thought of using rip-stop nylon? It's pretty cheap from kite shops and making a cone to fit a tennis ball or similar isn't a huge amount of work
Cake or Death?
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