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john_herm New user NJ 69 Posts |
Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone had heard of The Green Club Project. I recently discovered this idea and some great instructions and I definitely want to give it a shot. Has anyone make their own clubs like this? Are they really just as good or even better than some clubs you can buy?
Thanks, John |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Hi John
The first book I ever read about juggling was called "The Juggling Book" by Carlo, and Carlo had those home made clubs in his book. They are a bit light, very hard to handle, and impossible to handle in the wind. Even indoors I would be afraid to try and pass with them, but if you do not have a set of professionally made clubs they will do. In the picture either the handles are too long, or the bottles are too small because I do not like the ratio. My best guess is a 20 inch dow, and a quart plastic bottle is about right. Bryan Dube makes his clubs 20.5 inches long, and they weigh 220 grams each Good luck
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Chris G. New user Germany 62 Posts |
I think, normal clubs are more durable and better to juggle than self made ones. Good producers spend quite a bit time to develop good clubs, and there are some week spots like the fitting of the body to the dowel or taped handles, that are difficult to do in homemade clubs as good as a marketed product.
Commercially produced clubs are often tested to weight, etc, to make them uniform in juggling. With self-made clubs, there might be more difference between the clubs of a set. Nevertheless it is possible to make clubs, that can be juggled quite well. I am just building my own clubs, because I need a set that I can use in medieval fairs. If you enjoy producing things yourself, give it a try. I don't think, you will save a lot of money, because they will cost you something nevertheless, and a bought club will probably last longer - but I do not know for sure. Juggling is not such en expensive thing to do, once you buy some good clubs, they will last many years, so don't expect to save a lot of money, but just try it for the fun you might have while building these clubs. Christof |
john_herm New user NJ 69 Posts |
Al,
First off, thank you for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. I originally thought the handles were too long as well, but this photo tells me that they are fine. However some of the others photos on the site seem to have abnormally long handles. When I actually make these clubs, I'll try out different bottle sizes to see what works. I'll also post some pictures so, if you'd like, you can see my final product. I do not personally own a set of professional clubs, but a friend of mine who I plan on making these clubs with has some Airflites that I use when we juggle together. I have a set of some cheap, hollow plastic clubs that I use to practice, so I'm hoping these homemade clubs are a step up. Thanks, John |
john_herm New user NJ 69 Posts |
Christof,
Thanks for th comment! I understand what you're saying. But since I don't personally own a set of professional clubs I was hoping that these would be a suitable replacement until I purchase some. Thanks for the positive encouragement, I do expect this to be fun! John |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
John
I'm not sure where you live in New Jersey, but there are great juggling clubs both in New York, and Philly.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
john_herm New user NJ 69 Posts |
I'm about an hour out of Philly. Once I get some more time (around mid-April) I'll have to look into that.
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gallagher Inner circle 1168 Posts |
Hi John,... go for it! There's a lot of "air " to the idea that clubs should be "balenced, uniform,... as equal as possible". (Probably Club manufacturers spread it!)
I find manufactured Clubs to be too standardized. And, often too light(!) for my feel! At the same time, I find "Coca Cola Clubs" a bit shabby. I've used various other methods. First, Plastic Bowling Pins, from a toy store. I cut the heads off and pushed a self-turned handle in them. I like the wieght. I read a book once, I'm not sure if it was from Ron Humphrey, or if it was from Rudolf Deitrich; anyway, they discussed the method of making Clubs from a turned handle with bamboo strips being used for the body! Supposedly very durable. Also, think about it,... you're making your own Clubs, hey, that means they can take on ANY shape or size YOU like! Go for it man. give it easy, gallagher. p.s.: By the way, The Juggling Book ,by Carlo (mentioned by Al), is still the best thing out there! |
john_herm New user NJ 69 Posts |
Gallagher,
Thank you! I hope when I eventually make these clubs they really suit me well. I'll have to find myself a copy of The Juggling Book. Thanks for the comment! John |
Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
I have used them and, not as good as by Dubes We were passing with them. I say go for it, what is it going to cost you? mostly your time.
www.pokie-poke.com
The Adventure cont... |
gallagher Inner circle 1168 Posts |
Hey John, talking to some friends last night, mentioned your 'search'. Pretty soon everyone started telling their "self-made-club" stories! gee, there's a lot more then I thought!,... hiding out there, in the in the closets of cossy juggle-land!
Some nice ideas. I'll pass 'em on,.... no pun intended,..... One guy used shoes! Running shoes! Put a hole in the middle of the 'toe end',... stuck a staff, one-and-a-half the length of the shoe, right down the shoe. A three inch wood screw, with washer in the back,... voila. Said it was a great juggle. Another guy, cut his shape out of foam rubber. Melted a hole half way down the shape and put a dowel in it. Two 'problems': cutting a symetric shape, and fixing the dowel. Solutions: soaked the foam rubber in water and froze it. When it's frozen, you can cut it and shape it really well. To 'fix' it, he put a smaller dowel perpendicular to the handle dowel, thru the belly of the club,.... with a bit of Elmers glue. The last guy, is actually a girl,... she had a handle turned, then took bed springs(!) and formed the shape of the club she wanted. Fixing the spring, with a screw on one end, and bringing it 2/3 the way up the handle. Then she put a thin foam around the actual 'handle' (where it was caught). Nexted, she sewed a 'skin' for it! Great idea. She still uses them. Changes the 'skins' every now and then. Sewed one set with white goat's leather. She brings the 'skin' all the way down to the knob. A slightly different direction, Henry, the founder of "Henry's Juggling Equiptment", founded his company on clubs he made from bicycle parts! The wheels, to be specific. He made the body shape from spokes(!), tighten from the tips to the mid-handle. An extremely strong club. I believe, out of nostalgia reasons, he's making and selling them again. give it easy, gallagher |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
John
That book has been out of print for over 20 years, but you can usually find a copy of it on ebay.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
john_herm New user NJ 69 Posts |
Gallagher - Really interesting stories! Just goes to show how you can juggle just about anything.
Al - All right, I'll look into that. Thank you! |
Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
The green clubs are a step better than just sticking a stick into a bottle, the plans also include a soft handle, (also made from a soda bottle)
www.pokie-poke.com
The Adventure cont... |
john_herm New user NJ 69 Posts |
Yeah that's exactly what I noticed about them. It seems like the handle is the hardest part actually.
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esther_scheffer Veteran user the netherlands 316 Posts |
Hi I recently surfed into this site with a lot of explanations of how to make self-made clubs.
Even a variation out of newspapers! http://www.carookee.com/forum/circusforu......html?p=2 Info is in german and some in spanish but if you don't speak those languages the pictures might help anyways. On of the articeles is a translation from an english site which refers back to the green club project again (which you linked to as well at "instructions") http://www.juggler.org/diy/clubs.shtml |
kcg5 Inner circle who wants four fried chickens and a coke 1868 Posts |
I made a version of the "green club"s, as I could not juggle clubs and didn't want to spend the cash. I didn't find them that great, not easily balanced, and dented easily-but maybe I just suck.
I CREDIT AL FOR MY ABILITY TO JUGGLE BALLS
Nobody expects the spanish inquisition!!!!!
"History will be kind to me, as I intend to write it"- Sir Winston Churchill |
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