SURGICAL TUBING. i built a pair of poi a few years ago. (i still use them.) but i use the largest size of surgical tubing that i could find. you tie a knot in each end to attack a metal...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...E%3AIT&rd=1these don't cost much and last a long time. great for beginers. (wick not too huge or overwhelming.)