Help with making Polearm weapons less wobbly

[Saltypaintchips]

I made a bow staff and I plan on making a glaive, but they are both about 5 1/2 feet long and they are super wobbly. I've been using 1/2 inch PVC piping with the highest PSI I could find, but it's still not enough. What would you dudes and dudetts recommend?

I'm thinking of trying expando foam in the PVC to make it stiffer, but I'm afraid after a few weeks or so the foam will crack and break apart in it. Also, if it has a solid inner part it will hit harder (which I know people will complain about). Any suggestions from experience or just ideas?

[BaronBlackRose]

[quote="Saltypaintchips"]I made a bow staff and I plan on making a glaive, but they are both about 5 1/2 feet long and they are super wobbly. I've been using 1/2 inch PVC piping with the highest PSI I could find, but it's still not enough. What would you dudes and dudetts recommend?

I'm thinking of trying expando foam in the PVC to make it stiffer, but I'm afraid after a few weeks or so the foam will crack and break apart in it. Also, if it has a solid inner part it will hit harder (which I know people will complain about). Any suggestions from experience or just ideas?[/quote]

Unfprtunately without using a solid core. There's not much you can do. And as far as expanding foam. It will only break if you're hitting super hard. Which you shouldn't do anyways. Make one and use the expanding foam. Although it would be very expensive. But try it. And tell us how it went.
_________________
Just when you thought the worse was over. Here I am. :0)

[RyanPaddy]

Try a solid core, like a 12mm diameter fibreglass or carbon-fibre rod. There will still be a bit of wobble, but probably less. The thicker the solid core, the less wobble there will be but also the heavier it will get.

Kite shops are one place to find fibreglass rods that can be cut to your desired length.

[Saltypaintchips]

Good pointers. I'll try and check for a kite shop tomorrow.

As for the hitting hard, that thing does hit hard. It's a chore to make it not hit hard. The fact that it's nearly six feet long gives it so much momentum that it thrashes whatever it hits. Also, the wobbliness gives it that much more momentum, even on lighter hits. After using it, and getting hit by it, it's very obvious why a blunt staff like this was and is an effective weapon.

And again, thanks for your tips and ideas.

Any other ideas some other experienced LARPers may have?

[Eindrachen]

[Duby]

I use .602" OD Spiral Wrapped fiberglass from Glasforms
You can order it from a number of kite suppliers. My pole arms never whip.
That is at 72" and under 1.5lbs.

GlasForms makes a few higher OD rods that will work as well.
I really suggest Wound or wrapped fiberglass over pultruded.

Also reducing the weight of the head makes a significant difference.

Good luck.

[Anstarra]

We use solid fiberglass. Any weapon under 48" uses 3/8" fiberglass. Antyhing longer uses 1/2" fiberglass (or 1" hollow fiberglass tube). PVC is horrible for any two-handed weapon, IMHO.

Here are some places to by fiberglass:

http://www.mgs4u.com/fiberglass-tube-rod.htm (a small company that offers bulk discounts for reasonably-sized orders)

others will swear by McMaster Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com.

[thomasaagaard]

we use 33mm wood poles for our spears. (they are 280cm long)
Only the top 30cm are padded.
http://www.kvartermesteren.dk/rod/krigslive/bg.jpg

The tips are made with a glassfibre rod, foam, cloth and latex...
(like anyother homemade latexweapon)

They are only used for stabbing...
A Halbard needs to be padded all they way down to where you grib it...


And yes, I know most places outside denmark will not accept a weapon like that...
But we have used this type of spears (and the 30cm rule) for the last 6-7 years at our warlarps, our local camping, summerlarps and other larps... without any problems in regard to safety.