CHEAP Marudai for Kumihimo

Wed 4 Mar 2009

Posted by Tropical Twister under Articles , Kumihimo 
[9] Comments 

Here is how to build an inexpensive, as in cheap, Marudai for Kumihimo that you can build with no woodworking skills and easily obtainable materials. I’d been wanting to try a Marudai but didn’t want to spend one to two hundred dollars on one until I was sure this wasn’t one more hobby I’d cast aside. I saw a lovely Marudai HERE but it required a marble topped side table from a yard sale which I haven’t happened to run across. I’d also considered putting a hole in a bar stool and may still make one of these but it’s really heavy and not reall portable for this back. So, my solution …

I took the plastic ring used as a ceiling decoration above a fan and a waste basket. The ceiling ring is from Lowe’s ($6.63) and the waste basket is from WalMart ($5.16).

I cut the top off the small plastic waste basket and mounted the ring.

You can see that the top of the waste basket was cut off in such a way as to leave the rim. The rim was glued to the underside of the ring. The Maurdai has it’s draw backs. You have to remove the top to adjust the center weight and to examine the braid. It also has it’s advantages. It’s very light. It’s very portable and all my stuff can be toted easily within the Maurdai. The braid winds itself up within the waste basket so it doesn’t get dirty even if I take it outside. In subsequent postings I will demonstrate the setup and will demonstrate how to create various Kumihimo patterns on the Maurdai.

Tropical Twister

 

9 Responses to “CHEAP Marudai for Kumihimo”

  1. loopykd says, March 4th, 2009 at 11:41 am

    That’s a great idea! I love it! Have you already used up your discs to where you need something more?

  2. Leigh says, March 4th, 2009 at 8:29 pm

    This is too clever. Well done!

  3. Maryse says, March 8th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    i love your marudai idea but how about cutting 2 openings on each side of the can so you can reach in to adjust the counterweigth? i would also suggest that you put some weigth at the botton of the can to stabilize the “marudai’ while you braid. Happy braiding.
    Maryse

  4. Tropical Twister says, March 8th, 2009 at 5:41 pm

    Great ideas for tweeking the Marudai. I thought about cutting holes, worried about stability of the waste basket walls and thought I’d wait to see how it worked out. As you guessed, it is inconvenient. Probably will create access holes. Weight is also a good idea. I’m working with light weight braid and so far, no problem but easy enought. I plan to store my etra weights inside and that should do the trick. Tropical Twister

  5. Caroline says, March 12th, 2009 at 7:16 pm

    hi, Have you thought about trying a lamp shade frame as a stand? Its lightweight and you can put your hands through the frame. Also, because they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, there is bound to be a size that exactly suits.

  6. Tropical Twister says, March 12th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    What a great idea! Will post to share this idea with others. Tropical Twister

  7. sapo says, March 25th, 2009 at 10:08 am

    I have made the plastic marudai and have found it to be very satisfactory and I didn’t have to spend a near fortune, just some time and minimal cutting. Everything worked just like the instructions! Thanks for the great idea!

  8. Kathleen says, February 20th, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    What a wonderful idea! I want to try the marudai but also did not want to spend so much. Thanks so much for this inventive solution.

  9. Shirley says, February 8th, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    This looks like such a dooable Marudai without too much work or money. I too would opt for a hole in the side for easy access. Thank you!

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