I'm looking for a reel with at least an 8 to 12 foot reach the longer, the better. I thought I'd post in here to see if it can be made; otherwise, if anyone can recommend a supplier, that would be helpful as well! It will need to be mountable...Basically, think of a Blammo box or Lions Bride that begins with a silk fluttering from the side wing of a stage or at the end of a dancing hank act... it instantly is transformed into my assistant...


Thank you,
Bryan Gilles

Have you seen the rubber band powered cars made by the kids, it uses a pencil, rubberband and thread spool....I think NASA has some basic plans on one of their educational sites, but basically it will track across a room......the tighter you wind it, the faster/further it goes.
Kay

That's a cool idea... I should consider surgical rubber hose instead of a rubberband though, right? I'd hate for it to snap and ruin the effect...

I would play with it a bit and see what works best, you might end up using a mini bungee cord, or a couple of the fat rubber bands, even a loop cut form an inner tube though that is pretty stiff. It also depends what the weight of the thing you need to have on the pull. You can also have some fun with RC cars, those knobby tires will grab thread really well, they are pretty fast on the wind up if you catch my drift!
k

Excellent idea...

It will only have to be strong enough to pull a 18"-24" silk... I figure this may look really cool as well as eliminate the use of pyro...

Bryan

Giamond Jim Tyler had one in his lecture you could make for $2.00. I think

it was in his lecture notes as well and in his one man Linking Ring parade.

I made one and it's cool ( clue ) .......Mike