Grass Dance "boing boing" construction

[granco145]

Greetings! I am in need of information on how to construct the "boing boings" for the headwear of the male Grass Dancer. Sorry, I do not know any other name for them. They are the fluff feathers with piano wire that bounce with the dancer's movement. Thanks for any information!

[AmigoKumeyaay]

Greetings! I am in need of information on how to construct the "boing boings" for the headwear of the male Grass Dancer. Sorry, I do not know any other name for them. They are the fluff feathers with piano wire that bounce with the dancer's movement. Thanks for any information!

Instrument wire, like piano wire or thick bass guitar string (.145ga used for the B in a 5 string bass), is great because it consists of a corrosion resistant wire wrapped around a solid core. Instrument wire is also designed to flex and bend a bit. Most are either brass or nickle coated and are fairly light.

I've heard of others using solid wire stock from hardware stores but unless it's coated they will corrode (rust) easily.

I like the idea of bike brake cable too - never thought of it before.

[Toolbox]

What Amigo said, thick piano wire. Also think about thread wrapping the exposed portion of the wire in various colors (chosen from the colors on the outfit). The thread will add some color and give the wire just a bit more rigidity as you wouldn't want the antennae whipping down into the person's face if they bob their head or bounce hard

[OLChemist]

http://www.nocbay.com/learningcircle/pdfs/47_GrassDancerRoachSpreader.pdf

I thought choke springs/cable were traditional, LOL.

[AmigoKumeyaay]

Echo Effect

What Amigo said, thick piano wire.

I copied that from one of YOUR posts on another grass spreader thread

[Toolbox]

Link it! I don't remember seeing it!

[AmigoKumeyaay]

Link it! I don't remember seeing it!

http://forums.powwows.com/f22/antenna-fluffs-67545/

[Toolbox]

Derp!

[Toolbox]

http://forums.powwows.com/f22/antenna-fluffs-67545/

Geeze! I'd forget my head if it weren't for the fact that it is super glued onto my torso!

[grass newbie]

I'm assuming he wants something like these?

[granco145]

I'm assuming he wants something like these?

Yes, exactly!

[grass newbie]

Ah, ok. Just making sure. Assuming you're trying to assemble the fluffs and attach to the wire (or spring, whatever you're using)?

[granco145]

Ah, ok. Just making sure. Assuming you're trying to assemble the fluffs and attach to the wire (or spring, whatever you're using)?

you've got me figured out! How long should the wire be? How do you suggest attaching it to the spreader? Thanks for any information! Much appreciated.

[grass newbie]

you've got me figured out! How long should the wire be? How do you suggest attaching it to the spreader? Thanks for any information! Much appreciated.

I would make the wire long enough (I don't know what kind of wire you plan on using) long enough to make the fluffs able to bob with a full motion, but make sure they don't flop down an hit your face . And attaching it to the spreader? I can't help ya there, I'm still experimenting with making them stay upright. But, I'm using a zip tie to secure it in this picture. If anyone has any input, much appreciated!

[Toolbox]

One possibility, as the pdf that Olchemist linked to suggests, is to use one really long length of wire and make a "U" shape and pass it through the holes. If you are using a leather spreader then you can use a glover's needle and sew through the spreader and around the wire and that would bond the wire to the leather - the roach base would cushion your head from the wire.

If you are using a metal spreader then thats a whole different story. The only suggestion I can say for metal is to coat the bottom parts of the wire, being the section that is out of sight and the section that is touching the metal, in lacquer or urethane to prevent possible galvanic corrosion from damaging the metal spreader. If you are looking to attach the wire to the spreader full time you can try to solder it, but that is entirely dependent on the type of metals in use and your knowledge and skill with soldering equipment.