Nunchaku, or often abbreviated as “nunchuks”, are traditional Okinawan, Japanese martial arts weapons, which are made of two sticks connected by a rope or chain at each end. The nunchaku can be a great training weapon to help improve posture and develop faster hand movements. If you want to make your own nunchaku, whether it's for martial arts practice or simply a form of fanaticism for martial arts movies, there are many ways to do it. You can make them using wood, PVC pipe, or even foam, among other materials. If you want to know how to make your own nunchaku, read the guide below to get started.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Wood
Step 1. Find two wooden sticks
Both should be as long as your forearm, or all the way from your elbow to your wrist, and about 1.9 to 2.5 cm in diameter. If you want, you can color the wand black or some other color to make it look more threatening. But it doesn't matter if it's not colored. If you are less than 1.8 meters tall, the length of each stick should be about 1 foot or 31 cm. On the other hand, if you are over 1.8 meters tall, the length of the wand should be 16 inches or about 40 cm. The length is adjusted to allow the nunchaku to fit around your body. If it's too short, you won't be able to use it effectively.
If you can't find two sticks of the same length and thickness, you can find a long stick and cut it with a saw
Step 2. Find a rope 0.6 meters long
The leather cord or thread should be about 0.6 meters long or slightly longer if you are over 1.8 meters tall. The best rope for this is a 3/16 nylon braid. You can also buy a very long string (or even a single skein) and cut it to the required length. But this does not mean the rope in the final nunchaku will be 0.6 meters long. The length will decrease because you have to tie each end of the rope to the stick.
Step 3. Make a hole in the top of each stick
The hole must be wide enough for the rope to go through, and must be at least 3.8 cm deep. Use a 3/8 or thinner drill tip depending on the diameter of the nunchaku you have.
Step 4. Make smaller holes on the sides of each stick
Now, you'll need to make one smaller hole on one side of each stick so that the string you're going to put in later can be removed and then tied. This hole should be connected to the previous hole so that the string can come out easily. This hole should be made about 2.5 cm from the top of the stick. If the hole is too close to the top of the wand, the string may open the eyelet causing the string to come off after too much use.
Step 5. Insert the string from the side hole, then pull it out through the top hole on one of the sticks
Then, tie it to hold the string position. Make sure you leave a little extra (at least a few cm) at the end of the string so you can tighten the knot.
Step 6. Repeat the same process with the other end of the rope
Once you've tied one end of the string to one of the wands, you can tie the other end to the second in the same way.
Step 7. Fill the top hole with glue
Use regular glue or super glue to hold the strings together and make the nunchaku more stable.
Step 8. Done
Wait a few minutes for the glue to dry, then get ready to use your new weapon. From here, you can begin to learn some of the moves and skills of the nunchaku.
Method 2 of 3: Using PVC Pipe
Step 1. Find one PVC pipe that is at least 2.1 meters long
The pipe must have a diameter of 0.75 inches or 1.9 cm. You will also need to use a saw to cut the pipe in half. The pipe should be empty or hollow in the middle so that your nunchaku won't be too heavy and/or dangerous.
Step 2. Cut both pipes
Cut until both pipes are the same length as your forearm, which is about 1 foot or about 31 cm. If you are over 1.8 meters tall, you may need a longer piece of pipe.
Step 3. Put a cover on one end of each pipe
If you have pipe cement, you can use it to hold the cap in place (you'll need two caps, one for each end of the pipe).
Step 4. Use a drill to punch holes in the surface of the pipe cover
Step 5. Install the hook screws in each hole
Make sure you screw it up tight. The screws must have a diameter of 0.5 inches or 1.27 cm.
Step 6. Connect the ends of the chain with the hooks on the screws
Now, take a metal chain 12 inches long or about 30 cm and use sharp-tipped pliers to bend each end of the chain open so that it can be inserted into the hook. Attach the chain to the hook then use pliers to seal the chain tightly. Do this at both ends of the chain.
Step 7. Wrap the cable tape around the pipe
Carefully wrap the cable tape around the pipe as much as you want. You can cover the entire pipe, or leave the lid so that it doesn't get twisted to make the nunchaku two colors. However, this tape will make your nunchaku look cooler.
Step 8. Done
Your nunchaku is ready. Now, practice using your new weapon.
Method 3 of 3: Using Foam
Step 1. Cut two foam pipes 12 inches long each
You can use a sharp knife or paper knife to make two foam tubes if you don't already have a pipe of the required size. Each tube should be made along your forearm. So if you are smaller in body or want to make this for kids, then you may need a shorter pipe. These foam nunchaku are perfect complements to Halloween costumes and are safe to use, though certainly not as effective as weapons.
Step 2. Use a pen to make holes on each side of the tube
The pen must be positioned horizontally from the tube, and the holes must be on each opposite side. The hole should be about 1.27 to 2.5 cm from the top of the tube.
Step 3. Insert the pipe cleaner through each hole and tie each end
Take a 7.6 cm long pipe cleaner and insert it into the two holes in one tube. Then do the same for the other tube, so that you now have two tubes that the pipe cleaner has attached to each end.
Step 4. Tie a thin string around each pipe cleaner
Now, simply take a piece of thin rope about 3 feet or 90 cm long and tie each end of the string to the pipe cleaner you made. Leave each end about 2 inches or 5.1 cm.
Step 5. Done
Your nunchaku is ready. Use this safe weapon at will.
Tips
- Use a light rope, as well as a light stick made of oak. With this material, the nunchaku can move faster and are easier to control.
- If you're using hook screws, make sure your rope goes all the way in, and make sure the ends are at least 1.5 inches or 3.8 cm long. Otherwise, when you swing your nunchaku quickly, the hook you put on will come off.
- You can make indentations for the handles if you know how.
- Decorate your weapon by adding a little ornament.
Warning
- Remember: by law, carrying nunchaku without permission and a clear purpose is prohibited in Indonesia.
- Do not use soft wood, because it will break when used.
- Remember, nunchaku are weapons, not toys.
