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Christopher Rinaldi Veteran user 347 Posts 
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I'm thinking about making my own set of chinese sticks and was wondering about the weights, where should I look for the appropriate type?
Right now I have a dozen black plastic tubes 3/4" in diameter. I will be cutting them down to 15 inches long. If I cannot find rubber or plastic caps for the ends I will use cork. So, does anybody know where I might be able to find weights for these sticks? Thanx! |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22788 Posts
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1st you should have posted this in 'The Workshop' area of the Café. 2nd this is extensively discussed currently in that section. Also in that section is a web site noted that makes vinyl caps that will fit on the end of your tubes.
Now to make the weights. Take a trip to your local hardware store, buy a block of lead. Get a scrap of 4"x4" lumber. Drill a hole 5/8"x2" in the lumber. Melt the lead and pour the hot molten lead in the hole you drilled. Purchase a small screw eyelet from the hardware store,this can be found in the special fasteners section. Place it in the molten lead before it hardens. When cool remove. Cover the lead slug with felt, then scotch tape. Clean the inside of your tubes until smooth with cleaner. No go to a fabric store or furniture re-cover store. Get the synthetic cord that is used to create the edges of the cushions. Wal-Mart use to carry this, but they have closed most of the fabric sections in stores. It is braided string and very smooth to lessen friction. This is the string for the sticks. Get enough to make the tassels. Purchase some beads or bone rings, plastic is available in the curtain section of fabric stores and Wal-Mart. There you have your Chinese Sticks. |
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Christopher Rinaldi Veteran user 347 Posts
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Ah-Ha...I was gonna cover the dang lead weigth thing with felt man, I was thinking this would work instead of having to find some kinda teflon tubing. They sell felt with sticky stuff already included, you obviously already know this.
But am I ready to become an ametuear (sp?) iron smith? I could burn my own house down with suggestions such as that Mr.Wmhegbli...(what kinda name is that!?)...you make it all sound so easy! Frag...I was really hoping I could just buy the silly weights... Wgere the h*ll is spellbinder and his useful suggestions? |
JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1703 Posts
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You can buy brass rod's in different diameter either online or in some hobby shops. about 3"in length should be heavy enough. Buy some metal screw eyes and drill a hole in the end of the brass rod. This hole is where you screw the threaded eyelet. For added security, solder them or glue them in place. Tha will make a serviceable weight that is nearly (but not quite) as good as the pulley version.
BTW- Square sticks are better for several reasons and yu can buy 3/4" plastic square tubing at many hobby shops. Decorate as desired. |
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Christopher Rinaldi Veteran user 347 Posts
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Bras tubing, Grant ed Imay be on that path in the future for I know of this guy that is going on vacation, he makes really good brass chinese sticks...theres a waiting list and whatnot...Grant I get some eventually...Grant it all...
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6330 Posts
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Go to a sporting goods store with a fishing dept. and you'll find a variety of sinkers of different sizes and weights. The advantage to using them is that the eyelet swivels to help keep the line fron tangling. Just buy the silly weights.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
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Christopher Rinaldi Veteran user 347 Posts
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I was really hoping there was something as simple as that spellbinder, hopefully I will be able to shop around and find what you have suggested my friend.
:) |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts
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I couldn't find fishing weights anything like the right size shape. I have tried 3/4-in diameter bolts with heads cut off, and other items, finally settled on having Joe Porper machine square steel weights, covered with teflon and put into the aluminum sticks.
Eyelets, screw eyes, etc. are NG as they can revolve unless you use square weights in square sticks. Look in Benson by Starlight. Still working on subtle design aspects, like friction reduction to holes where the cord runs, etc. To make 'em right ain't easy.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Christopher Rinaldi Veteran user 347 Posts
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There just hasta be a way tah make'm on the cheap without making 'em out of paper...
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Jeff Dial Special user Kent, WA 533 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-10-22 01:52, Christopher Rinaldi wrote: Make a production run of hundreds. This will keep the cost per unit cheap. Making just one of everything is always more costly. Best of luck.
"Think our brains must be too highly trained, Majikthise" HHGG
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22788 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-10-22 00:56, Christopher Rinaldi wrote: What kind of Rinaldi? It is easy to melt lead, it has a low tempeture. I use an aluminum pan and found out that is not a good choice, but I poured the lead out before the whole bottom of the pan melted away. I did it on an electric stove. It is easy. If you are worried, just by a cheap hot plate and do it outside. If the hot plate get damaged, just throw it away. So you think you can just go by some things on the market and make the trick yourself, if that was true they would not be selling so many versions on the market. You ask how to make a set, that is how it is done! If you can burn done your house that easily, then maybe you should consider just buying a set. The Ping Pong Chinese Sticks are top quality. |
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Christopher Rinaldi Veteran user 347 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-10-22 17:48, wmhegbli wrote: Hahaha! Thanks Mr. Wmhegbli for your advice, I will try out melting lead, it sounds interesting however I will still be on the lookout for something suitable and already pretty much made to order. You never know, the insides of kids toys can yeild some pretty interesting and useful things. |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts
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I figure to make FOUR sets of the Benson style sticks, but with my NO TILT feature. Been searching for the right pieces for months... NO RUSH as I am back ordered on Pete's Peepers and a few other bits.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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HarbinJr. Elite user I only have 450 Posts
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I would suggest Martin Lewis' Rip Stix as his are disposable but I love the fact that he can rip them apart and show the tubes empty. Just need to make a bunch of them at a time.
Robert |
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Christopher Rinaldi Veteran user 347 Posts
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I used to have that Martin Lewis tape and only watched it once before it got ruined in a flood. The only trick I remember well was his card in bottle using cigar boxes. I made one up soon after the flood before I forgot how to do it.
I was supposed to go shopping around today for parts and or ideas but apparently that isn't gonna happen. I've got a few different options I'm sure, will post on what works. I'm considering making weights out of old bullet shells and melted lead and an eye screw. Picked that up on the internet...Tabman suggested it at one point I believe. :) |
tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-10-24 16:10, Christopher Rinaldi wrote:... I'm considering making weights out of old bullet shells and melted lead and an eye screw. Picked that up on the internet...Tabman suggested it at one point I believe. Yessir, that was me. Thanks for remembering. I reporduced the Silent Mora's sticks from The Egyptian Hall many years ago and used the method you describe. They worked great. I put them in brass tubes and then put the brass tubes in some lengths of bamboo. Old shell casings make great looking wand tips too.
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
bobgill Regular user 110 Posts
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TO PETE BIRO:
Hi Pete, I got turned onto the Kovari Sticks by you in Ken Brooke's place in the 70s! Magicians turn their noses up when I tell them it's my opener, but audiences love it. It's been my go-to opener forever. I tried George's long-string finish, but never really got much reaction to it from laymen. magician, though, loved it. Different perspectives. I have made up a reel version you put into the video on the Sticks, and it works OK, but friction is the enemy. I've made several sets, and seen plenty of horrors in my time - but it is not easy to make really well. So paying George £150 for his does make sense, after all. I even considered that David Regal one Dean Dill did with the water finish. But again I'm not convinced it's a crowd pleaser. What we all want is for Joe Porper and Pete Biro to put out the perfect set. Hint, hint. Best Bob Gill, UK |
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Servante Inner circle 1331 Posts
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I like Spellbinder's note about the eyelets swiveling on the fishing sinkers. But, as Pete Biro points out, it's hard to find the right size sinkers. And Bill Hegbli's note about pouring molten lead into a hole drilled in wood. It all got me to thinking: Could the advantage of the swiveling eyelet on the sinkers be combined with the lead-in-the-hole? Pour in the lead, then lower the sinker into the lead leaving the swivel clear.
Is this a stupid notion or does it make some sense? -Philip |
randirain Inner circle Fort Worth, TX 1664 Posts
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I've made a few Chinese Sticks in my time, and I have used sinkers as well.
If you wrap them in that very smooth packaging tape, they will slide great up against plastic. Just my two cents. Randi |
jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3205 Posts
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In my Do-It-Yourself version of the Roy Benson Style String Sticks, described in The Wizards' Journal #27, I use rectangular sticks (torn from the legs of baby chairs) and of course rectangular weights which need no swivels since they can't turn around in a rectangular tube.
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
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Posted: Oct 21, 2009 11:31 pm 
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