How to make your own Fire Poi Balls / Fire Chains
I find it empowering to make my own fire toys and I want to help you do the same by sharing some useful techniques and information. Making your own fire poi balls is a bit of an art, so look around, play with your friend's poi, and build well to stand the test of time. Most of all, have fun!
(If you're not so bold as to make your own, we also sell premade fire poi.)
You can click on any of the images below to zoom in.
This is everything you need to make fire poi balls
Ingredients for Fire Poi
Kevlar Wick x 2 (anywhere from 2.5' to 6' x 2)
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You'll need two equal lengths of kevlar wick. I find that 5 feet of 2" wide x 1/16" thick wire-inserted kevlar tape gives an average burn time of 5 to 7 minutes and makes for a nice weight. Nick Woolsey uses around 5 feet of the 2" wide x 1/8" thick kevlar tape. This makes great big balls of flame, but keep in mind that the larger the flames the more fumes...
Cotter Pins x 2, Washers x 4 , Split Rings x 4, Swivels x 2 (or 4)
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Your two cotter pins need to be long enough to fit through the kevlar wick after you have folded it. The holes in your four washers should be narrower than the heads of the cotter pins, so that the cotter pins don't slip through. Your four split rings should be heavy duty (I use shark fishing split rings). Light weight key rings are not reliable and can open up easily (Don't find out the hard way - use heavy duty split rings that need a tool to be opened). You'll also need at least two swivels, one for each poi. (some use four, one on each end of the chain on each poi).
End-welded Chain x 2 (variable lengths, see below)
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Chain length can difer based on many variables. If you'll be using your poi indoors or with a partner you'll probably want shorter chains. Some like heavy chains while some like their chain as light as possible. Our recommendation is make your chains the same length as the measure from your wrist to just before your arm pit. This allows a full range of motion even after adding finger holds and wick. We use a medium weight end-welded chain. (Chain with open links can get caught in your hair or clothing). If in doubt, start out with slightly longer chains than you think you need. It is easy to shorten your chains later.
Finger Holds
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I use single loop leather finger holds but recently the double loop leather finger holds have become quite popular. Leather loops have good durability, are comfortable and are good for preventing blisters. You can also use synthetic fibre loops (good for vegans!). The finger holds we provide use grommets and a D-ring to secure swivels against a 250 lb load. We also provide an upgrade option to ball bearing swivels that can handle a 500 lb load ... they are sweet! (Some fire spinners use a large leather handle you can fit your whole hand in, or cinching finger loops. (I find these constricting)
Tools & Equipment
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- 1 x hammer
- 1 x adjustable wrench
- 1 x tongue & groove plier
- 1 x split ring tool
- 1 x needle nose pliers
Visual Guide to Folding Kevlar Wick
- Fold your kevlar wick in half
- Open the kevlar up and start folding it over itself
- Alternate folding either side over the middle square
- At the end of fold make sure all frayed edges are tucked in and unexposed. keeping the square completely together for optimum long term use and abuse
- folding done ready for drilling!
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Drilling and Assembly
- Drill a hole through the middle of your kevlar wick. The side with the frayed edges will be the 'top' of your poi.
- Push a cotter pin through a washer, and then through the hole in your wick
- Add a second washer to the other side of the wick. (Your cotter pin should stick through this)
- Grab the head of cotter pin with your tongue and groove pliers and then bend the prongs of the cotter pin with the adjustable wrench until they are pointing back into the kevlar
- Continue holding the head of the cotter pin with the pliers and hammer the prongs slightly flatter
- Use the split ring tool to open the split ring around the head of the cotter pin as well as one end of your chain
- Add your finger loops
- Now just do it again for the second poi ball and you're done!
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Once you're all set with your new fire poi, you should consider some poi lessons or workshops!
