Does anyone know how to make a homemade spiral boing big enough for CAG sized birds? My aviary is almost ready!! Im making the hoopball, and some type of climbing net. I just cant figure what the flexible part is of the boing! HELP!!

Leigh,

I've made them and I've seen my birds destroy the store bought ones I have. The center core is thicker metal wire. I use s.s. metal rods. I buy mine locally, but I know you can buy some online through greyfeathertoys.com. Theirs is very flexible and easier to cut.

What about Grape Vines? I remember seeing a fellow with an IRN, use long pieces of Grape Vine - but maybe it wouldn't be heavy enough for a Grey or a Too or an Ekkie.
... not much help am I???!!!

Could you make one out of the same tubes you used for the atom? ~ have a centre post with spokes that connect to the spiraling curved paces?

Just had some of these ideas running thru my head -

Originally Posted by mamalovesrico

Leigh,

I've made them and I've seen my birds destroy the store bought ones I have. The center core is thicker metal wire. I use s.s. metal rods. I buy mine locally, but I know you can buy some online through greyfeathertoys.com. Theirs is very flexible and easier to cut.

So you recommend making them then? And you buy the parts from Grey Feather? I just find them to be very pricey! In the same note, I dont want them to chew in and get to somethin toxic!

Jac, the hoopball / atom is made from hoolahoops! But I understand where you going with this! Im pretty crafty, but this one has me a bit stumped!

Lara, can you post specific instructions on your method? I would appreciate it!

Try heating the hula hoops with either a heat gun or hairdryer and twist them into the spiral that you might need and then just cover them with whatever you used for the hoop ball. At least that I what I am going to try when making my own. I just don't have the stuff right now. The hairdryer thing also worked for me when I used it on 1/2inch pvc piping to bend it to the shape I wanted.
Just a thunk.

Originally Posted by Graehstone

Try heating the hula hoops with either a heat gun or hairdryer and twist them into the spiral that you might need and then just cover them with whatever you used for the hoop ball. At least that I what I am going to try when making my own. I just don't have the stuff right now. The hairdryer thing also worked for me when I used it on 1/2inch pvc piping to bend it to the shape I wanted.
Just a thunk.

Really!!! I had no idea!! I have seen JP heat stuff up and twist it to some really cool stuff! Good idea Mike!! Keep the ideas a comin!!!

Be really careful with the type of rope you use - usually supreme cotton is used. Unfortunately, if unraveled, it can become a hanging hazard. I know Monica from Grey Feather personally. Carlos, her husband, makes each boing by hand and it is very labor intensive since the rope must be fastened properly to avoid being easily unraveled. I know the rope theyuse tends to "frizz" as opposed to hanging.

Love the idea, Mike!

Leigh,

They can be fun to make and also a bit of a pain in the butt to make if you want my honest opinion. It's not something I've mastered, but will when I get more time to focus on it.

I buy my s.s. rods locally. I buy all of my material locally except for the supreme cotton rope. I buy that on e-bay.

I make mine with sisal rope and supreme cotton rope. So, if you want to make your own, you need to find the wire, the supreme cotton rope or sisal rope, a hot glue gun and non-toxic glue sticks, pvc end caps, a s.s. eye hook and you don't need it but I use them..... a s.s. hardware swivel thingie that lets the boing move freely in a complete circle.

With either the sisal rope or the supreme cotton rope, your going to weave the s.s. wire up through the center of it. Cut the cotton rope or sisal rope longer than you need to leave room for a mistake that can be cut off and for twisting. After I weave the wire through and have the correct amount on the wire, I hot glue the inside of the pvc cap. Be very generous with the glue. Twist the end of the rope tight and put it in the pvc end cap. I let is set and cure. Once hardened I twist the rope tight all the way up the wire and do the same thing at the other end. I let that end cure and set something heavy on the boing near the end just glued or the rope with become loose and unravel. Let it cure. Put on the hardware, bingo theres your boing.

They can be fun to make and you can incorporate the methods into ideas for other toys and funky boings. I think you should give it a try.

I had a good idea?!?

Hmmm, all those smarts come from a "healthy" upbringing, lol

I've had this link forever but never used it... maybe it will be helpful?

Bird Toys - Make a BOING - Birds