This guide will show you how to build you own inexpensive poi set as good or better than retail professional equipment. The key here is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). You want a simple, bullet proof, no nonsense poi set that will last.

Hole punch Pliers Sharp knife for cutting leather. Small hammer

These should be comfortable and strong. The best type of material to use is leather or woven kevlar. Avoid synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester, they are not fire friendly. You can find cheap leather scraps or tanned seconds from leather shops such as The Leather Factory or Tandy Leather. The leather thickness should be no less than 4oz.

You will also nee 3/8 inch brass gromets to hold the loops together as well as offer a convienient way to link the chain.

Cut out two 1" x 13" strips from the leather. They can be longer if desired.

Fold the strips in half and then in half again like an accordion.

Mark the folded leather at the base and punch the hole through all of the layers. You may need to widen the hole a bit so the gromet will fit.

We will be using two gromets per strip, one on each end for added durability. Thread a gromet through two outer layers of the strip and hammer it closed. Do the same for the other side and then the second strip.

Finding the right chain at a hardware store can be tricky. You don't want it to be overly heavy but it must be strong. Look for a chain with a load rating of no less than 100 lbs. You may be thinking, poi wicks really don't weigh that much so why would I need heavy duty chains. Remember, the wicks will be loaded with fuel and spinning with a good deal of force. The heat from the fire will also reduce the strength of the chain by 20% to 40% so your best bet is to choose the heaviest chain you feel comfortable spining.

While you are there, pick up some quick links and see if they can be linked through the chain. This will simplify things when we put everything together.

The best type to use is ovalized twist chain (the first three chains shown). Twist chain is less likely to become tangled and is easier to untangle. The chian on the far right would obviously be a poor choice for poi due to its shape and limited weight capacity.

When buying chain, as a general rule I get four feet per poi set. You can remove links to shorten them as needed.

The two most commonly used wick types are cathedrals and tube cores. A number of websites offer construction tutorials on these so I'll show you how to build a few of the more exotic types.

Quick links 220 lb. 1/8th inch, commonly found in hardware stores. You will need four to eight of these depending on the poi set you are building. Tip: To keep the links from unscrewing while spinning, close them tightly with pliers.

You may not be able to fit a quick link through your chain. If this is the case, you will probably need split rings (keychain rings). The majority of split rings you will find locally are not strong enough to handle the weight and heat of poi. Your best bet is to shop for them online. Look for rings listed with an outside diameter of 0.68 inches and a load test of around 220lbs.

Swivels should be placed at the base of the poi chain between the chain and the wick. I usually add a quick link here as well for easy wick swapping.