FREE
How to make a Kendo Dummy instructions for
making a kendo training dummy**
I
designed this kendo dummy so that it can be made easily by
anyone, with materials that are readily available in most
home improvement stores. It's a great design with a kote target,
and a shinai holder that moves up and down, and lightweight
enough to move sideways. I included how to make a a small
sandbag for additional suport if needed. Total cost for this
project should be under $60 not including the tools needed
to make the dummy. The kendo dummy can be modified to any
height you wish, I made this one six feet tall. I will update
the design of this dummy
time permitting.
Kendo training at home or at the dojo can be more focused
to your needs with this kendo training dummy.
**We
have posted this FREE kendo dummy designed for your personal
or dojo use only, It is not to be used for commercial purposes.
We make no warranty as far as making it, suitability, or
safety in its design or use. Always wear kendo bogu when
using this dummy.
If
you just want to put it together and don't want the hassle
or don't have the time to make it yourself you can buy our
ready cut and partially assembled Kendo Dummy Kit, or our
best on the planet JiGeiko Guy Kendo Dummy.
Electric
Drill
1/2" drill bit
1 1/2" drill bit
3/8" drill bit
Philips screw bit
Saber saw
Hand saw, Japanese type if possible
Scissors
Pencil
Tape measure
Ruler
small angle
duct tape 2
saw horses,
or 2 upside down trash cans will work
3
1x4x8 pine board
1 1x2x4 pine board
1 2x4x8 dry 2x4 pine 1
small box 2" wood screws
1 small box 1 1/4" wood screws
Wood Glue
2 Garden knee pads (plain, rectangular)
1 3/8"x6" bolt
2 3/8" washers
1 3/8" nut
8 3/8" wide washers
2 1/8" Medium length, Screw Eyes
1 Bungie cord - medium-long length
2 1 gallon baggies filled half way with clean sand
1 cloth or heavy plastic re useable grocery bag
Important Note: The
wood being used for this kendo dummy is very soft and splits
easily, so pilot holes must be drilled first before inserting
the wood screws. Use wood glue on all the pieces being assembled.
MAIN
SECTION VIEWS
STEP
1
Making
the Center Post
2
lengths 6'1x4
pine board, (post) or
CUT TO THE HEIGHT you want the kendo dummy to be
2 lengths 20" 2x4 board (post brace)
3 lengths 6 1/2" 1x2 boards (padding brace)
1 length 5" 2x4 board (head brace)
Attach
the two center post braces 2x4x20 lengths
of wood (position flush with the edges) and the two lengths
of 6' 1x4 pine board, using wood glue to bottom of the center
post using 4 screws about 8 inches apart along the length
of the center post braces.
Attach
the three 1x2x6 1/2 strips of wood using 1 1/4 screws and
wood glue attach the head brace 2x4x5"
on the back flush with top of the dummy post.
STEP
2
Making
the Base
2
lengths 28" 1x4
pine board
1 length 18" 1x4 pine board
1 length 5" 2x4x5 board
Start
by tracing the outline of a 1"x4" board 5"
from edge of both 28" 1"x4" (cross brace)
boards
Next
drill 1/2 holes in each corner of the traced outline
of the 1"x4" and cut out the outline of the
board with a saber saw
Trim
all three 1x4" base boards 1 1/2" at an angle
from each edge.
Cut
a piece of 2x4x5" board for the Mid Brace.
Before
assembling the base permanently place the MID BRACE piece
8 1/2" from edge opposite the cut out notched end use
glue and screw in place, using two screws on each side.
Position
the ASSEMBLED CROSS BRACE pieces on the
BOTTOM BRACE, 5 1/2" from edges and TRACE
the position of the cross brace onto the bottom brace.
NEXT
position the assembled post on the bottom brace and secure
the post to the CROSS BRACES (ONLY) with glue and 4 screws
on each side.
NEXT,
Place the post lying down along with now attached CROSS
BRACES on a saw horse or garbage can. Attach the BOTTOM
BRACE to the bottom of the post and cross with four screws
and glue.
Kote
and Shinai Holder Cut
the Kote/Shinai holder by positioning the 10 1/2" 2x4"
board flush with the edge of 24" 1x4" board rotate
the 10 1/4" board
1 1/4" to the left.( see diagram) mark the angle with
a pencil from the bottom, cut off the angle with a hand
saw. Save the cut off angle as guide for drilling and centering
the 1 1/2" shinai hole .
SHINAI
BRACE
This photo shows the rectangular piece of wood used
to help support the shinai handle. Drill a 1 1/2"
hole in a 2x4x 3 1/2" finding the center by drawing
an x from corner to corner, drill a pilot hole at
first, finish with a 1 1/2" hole.
Drill
a 1/2" hole into both pieces of the 2x4x 11" of
wood 3" from edge (see diagram), drill the
hole into the wood at the same time (stacked.) The hole
will be used to attach the arm to the center post.
Assemble
the arm using glue, four 2" wood screws for kote and
shinai holder, shinai brace. Glue, screw the two 2x4x11"
, centered and flush on one end of the 2
lengths 24" 1x4
pine board. Position the Kote/ Shinai holder and Shinai
brace in the assembled arm with out attaching. Check the
alignment of the shinai holder with a real shinai. Secure
the pieces if the alignment is good.
Attach
a garden knee pad to the kote portion of the arm using four
2" screws and wide washers, trim off excess padding
before attaching.
Attach
the arm to center post with
3/8"x6" bolt washers and 3/8" nut.
Drill
a pilot hole for the 2
1/8" Medium length, Screw Eye on
the back of the arm close to the edge.
Important:
adjust the kamae of the dummy somewhat flat to avoid accidental
tuski when using dummy.
Attach
the bungee cord to the arm, swivel the arm to the position
that suits you and mark the spot where the loose end of
the bungee cord hits on the bottom back side of the base,
the bungee should be taunt enough to hold the arm in position
with the shinai in the shinai holder, drill a pilot hole
for the 2
1/8" Medium length, Screw Eye and
attach the screw eye and bungee cord.
STEP
4
Making
the Head
Finish
the head by attaching a garden knee pad front and back with
the 2" screws and big washers.
Apply duct tape to top of the knee
pad to prevent excesive wear and splits in the pad.
Make
a
SANDBAG WEIGHT
for base
Make an sandbag by filling two 1 gallon zip lock baggies half
full with dry sand and wrapping with a re useable grocery
cloth bag.
