Mad Chopstick Burr

Intro: Mad Chopstick Burr

When we heard that the latest challenge was chopstick based a friend said to me that I should make "one of those mad pencil thingies but with chopsticks rather than pencils".  I finally managed to get sense out of him and he directed me to this website and the amazing work of George Hart:
http://www.georgehart.com/sculpture/pencils.html

I sourced some super cheap chopsticks from ebay and set about making my own slight variation.  I knew I could not use exactly the same design as the chopsticks where not hexagonal cross section like pencils and they tapered.  So rather than the 72 pencils of George Harts original creation - I went for 76 chopsticks in a solid three to the edge hexagon rather than empty 4 to the edge

STEP 1: Craft Temporary Rigs I

First you need to get the spacing of the chopsticks straight - in your head and then on paper.  Each set of chopsticks fits through each other set at a 60 degree angle.  This part does not need to be absolutely millimetre perfect - after drawing lines at 30 degrees apart on a piece of Westfoam 5mm foam board,
1. To avoid ripping paper make a tiny cross cut in the board (much smaller than cross section of the stick) at the point where the tow lines meet.
2. Supporting the board push one chopstick through 
3. Lie a chopstick flat on the board and ensure it is point at around 60 degress
4. Draw around a second upright  end of chopstick
5. Repeat with another to get a good idea of the separation needed.

STEP 2: Create Temporary Rig II

Now you know the separation you can make a grid - this has nineteen nodes.   Carefully using a sharp point - it doesn't have to be too sharp, I used as sharpened  4H pencil.

STEP 3: Create Temporary Rig III

You can then use first hexagon as a stencil - poking through each hole to mark a layer below.  You will need eight of these 

STEP 4: First Dimension

Always being careful to support the board start pushing the chopssticks through the first rig.

As the chopsticks are not the same down the entire length (ie they taper) it matters which way round they are I decided to have all the corner sticks in the same direction and those in the middle of the side in the opposite.  The ones in the centre I alternated direction.

After the six corners and the centre I added the other rig and gently pushed through the others.  You should end up with nineteen chopsticks held firmly in place by the board rigs at each end.  You can note from the photo that there are clear gaps through which you can see/stick next set of chopsticks

STEP 5: Second Dimension

With a new rig - push through all six corners and the centre chopstick.  You now need to slot the open ends through the open gaps you could see in the picture.  Add the other rig at the other end - and fill in all nineteen spaces.   It becomes clear which holes each goes through.

Up close you can see that another set of holes that the next dimension will fit through.

STEP 6: 3rd Dimension

Fit another seven in a rig and feed through holes in the last close-up.  Add the other rig and fill in the rest of the 19.

STEP 7: Into the 4th Dimension

You will have noted from the last closeup of the previous set and the pitcure below  the holes for the final group are quite obvious.  Its best to still use a rig - to make sure you get everything in the right order.  

After the last set are through (which I forgot to photo) - put elastic bands around the end of each group (I managed to photograph that)  and very carefully remove the rigs.

STEP 8: Remove the Evidence

The last stage is to tighten the band a bit by adding a few more bands - this will bend in the sticks slightly .   You want the chopsticks to be under a bit of tension.

Any of the interior that are loose can be fixed - by giving a little twist. As they are square the twist will tend to lock them in place

Then a thin band of see-through acetate (I used a hacked up cover of a presentation folder is wrapped next to the rubber bands and secured with a small bit of see through Scotch Crystal tape. Do this for all eight ends - before removing the bands.  As the tension is released from the bands then acetate strip with take the strain and be held tight.  

This is almost invisible - i have tried to get a snap of it.  Mostly you can only see it when the light reflects off.  

STEP 9: Final Look

With all the bands taken off and the acetate on it looks pretty good - and I am convinced that if dropped it would explode into 76 chopsticks .  

Comments

[IronWill]

this give me an idea for a chopstick holder...hmm

[alejandroerickson]

Here are alternative instructions for building the same object
http://alejandroerickson.com/joomla/personal-projects/90-how-to-make-hexastix-detailed-photo-instructions
(sorry, I haven't make it an instructable yet)

[velorna]

I love it and all the other post too! So many crafts to explore

[ccrome]

Nice. Her's a template to print to make your holders. Sized for pencils. You may need to enlarge a little for chopsticks.

[imatfaal]

Very nice - you would have to use sharpened pencils rather than the flat ended that most model makers use :-) But your template would make it much easier - thanks

[ccrome]

Here's how I did it:
Cut out a few of the templates. tape them to cardboard. I didn't have foamcore. Then use a sharpened pencil to poke all the holes. Then assemble with unsharpened pencils.

-Caleb

[imatfaal]

Yeah - I should have thought of that!

Foamboard is great stuff - I bought some because it was in a sale (sucker for a bargain) and I have used it regularly for modelling ever since. I tend to use it more for support and structure - rather than a primary medium, but it is so easy to cut and craft. I tend to reuse it because of this - ie I sliced up the above rigs and reglued them for support of a clay model - it means that I am still on the first box that I ever bought.

Next project is with cocktail sticks - a variation on the lovely model that Alejandro posted below

[~Z~]

That is awesome!!!!!!!!

[imatfaal]

Hello Astropoke - it is fun isn't it! It's gonna be really difficult to keep dusted though so I think an explosive deconstruction may be called for sooner rather than later

[Madrigorne]

re band it and throw it in the dishwasher, let it dry and then re-acetate

[imatfaal]

Madrigone - elastic bands and into the dishwasher? Might work - those things get quite hot tho - might open up to a disassembled mess

[Madrigorne]

Use hair bands - the cloth covered kind - they are usually tougher.
If you're going to 'splode it anyhow, couldn't hurt to give it a shot...

[LividMonkey]

If you're going for explosive deconstruction, videotape it and post it here!

[imatfaal]

I might have to rig it to make sure it is impressive enough! I will try freakyqwerty's suggestion of canned air for a while - till I get bored.

[~Z~]

Noo! Give it to me! =D

[freakyqwerty]

Canned air... Unless of course you are looking for an excuse for an "explosive deconstuction"... : )

[imatfaal]

Freaky - you got it - I am always looking for an excuse for explosive deconstruction! :-)

[suayres]

Simply amazing! And a very clear, concise instructable--not that I'm likely to try it, I'm not a particularly patient sort, but your work couldn't be easier to understand. Beautiful!

[imatfaal]

Thanks your kind comments Suayres. I don't think of myself as a patient sort - but I guess I must be. The satisfaction when hours/days/weeks of work come together in a beautiful object is really special

[stephenfitton]

Tension/compression in action same principle used by Romans to quickly do formwork for stone arches best use recorded in the building of Caesars bridge accross a wide river in 14 days- nice work! Self Explanatary