When I started juggling, I thought I would probably enjoy juggling clubs. But I wasn't sure, and I wasn't about to shell out $100 for a set of good clubs just to find out. At the same time, I wasn't crazy about the idea of spending thirty or forty bucks for a set of cheap clubs if I was just going to find out that what I really wanted were the good ones.
The solution came when I found out that the good people at Infinite Illusions had instructions for making homemade newspaper clubs, based on a design by Dave Bostock, on their home page. I made two sets, and liked them a lot. But I still wasn't satisfied.
Emboldened, I created my own design, duplicating the weight, center of gravity, length, and many of the proportions of commercial clubs. I was very pleased with the results. They feel very much like "real" clubs (they even pass and kick up well!), but are easier on the hands. They are cheap and easy to make. They are ideal for situations where clubs might get lost (like traveling) because they're essentially disposable. For teaching situations, you can provide clubs for a lot of people by having each student make his or her own. They are environmentally friendly (recycled materials!), and seem quite durable and sturdy (people are amazed to find out that they are constructed solely from newspaper).
They do have some limitations, of course. Let's face it; they just don't look as cool as commercial clubs. The handles are not tapered, which means you can't tell by feel where you've caught them. They are also not quite as stiff as commercial clubs, which you can feel when you do aggressive tricks like chops. But for a beginner or someone wanting a cheap second set of clubs, I think they're perfect!
1) Count the newspaper pages and add or subtract from each section so that all the sections used in all the clubs have exactly the same number of pages.
I used 16 pages per section to make 9.5 ounce clubs. That's 0.6 ounces per page, so if you want a different weight, adjust the number of pages accordingly.
2) Cut one section of newspaper down to 20 1/2" high by removing a strip from the top. This will be the core of the club. If you are cutting with scissors, stop every few inches and reflatten the paper to realign the pages. Otherwise the bottom pages tend to slip and your cut is not straight.
3) From the other section of newspaper, cut a 1" strip for the knob, a 9 1/2" strip for the head, and a 3 1/4" strip for what we'll call the "fat part" of the head.
4) Roll the core as tight as you possibly can. It may help to "pre-curl" the edge you start with. Tape the roll around the middle with transparent tape, then around each end, then a couple of places in between.
5) Make a cross of transparent tape over one end of the core. Make it slightly snug, but not so snug as to pull the core out of round. At a 45 degree angle, apply another cross of tape, also slightly snug. Wrap around the end again.
I'll call this style of taping the ends "asterisk taping." Do this to the other end as well.
6) Tape the knob strip to the core with a couple of pieces of tape and wrap it tightly around the core. Tape the other end of the strip to itself and asterisk tape the end.
7) Run a short piece of transparent tape from the knob down to the core, parallel to the club. Follow the contour without gapping, but don't pull it so tight that it flattens the side of the knob. Repeat around the perimeter of the knob. Now tightly wrap a piece of tape around the handle just above the knob, and wrap another piece tightly around the knob just below the handle. I'll call this style of taping "blend taping." It helps keep the knob from tearing off the handle, as well as defining the shape of the club.
8) Use several pieces of tape to attach the head strip even with the other end of the club, and wrap it tightly around the core. Tape it closed in several places, asterisk tape the top, and blend tape the bottom.
9) Center the "fat part" strip on the head and tape it down. Wind it tightly, tape it down, and blend tape both ends.
10) Using colored plastic tape, asterisk tape the head end again. However, instead of wrapping a single turn around the end, continue wrapping until the entire head has been wound with tape. Try to wind evenly, overlapping perhaps halfway over each previous turn. If you keep the tape just slightly stretched, it will follow the contours better.
11) Using the handle tape, asterisk tape the knob end again, and just as with the head end, continue wrapping until the entire handle is covered.
12) Perform dazzling feats of juggling!
Club Design, Text, and Artwork by Eric Kollenberg
Page Design by Bruce Engholm
Published by the Mid-Hudson Juggling Club at http://www.mhv.net/~mrbruce/mhjc.html
Inspired by a prior club design by Dave Bostock and instructions by Infinite Illusions
This material may be reproduced freely in any form, provided that the above credits are kept intact.
We'd like to hear from you! Questions, comments, suggestions, success stories? Write us at mhjc@usa.net.
Last Updated 5 May 1998