FAQ

Why are your instructions better than the others out there?

My book is not just a blueprint. It explains every step you need to take and every measurement you need to make. It will tell you how to obtain all the materials you need, what tools are necessary, and show you the direction in which to make each cut.

As mentioned on the home page, my dummy is 100% authentic with regard to size and shape. Many of the other dummy projects found on the net contain one or more of the following shortcomings:

Common limb flaws with other dummies:

• PVC limbs in general. PVC limbs will not work on a wooden dummy because they will bend and possibly break when force is applied. This is especially true if the PVC limbs are not sufficiently thick
• Wooden limbs that are not rounded or tapered. Limbs with square corners cannot be used with proper force
• On many dummies the upper arms are at significantly different heights. Even though the holes must be made at different heights, properly constructed limbs have offset shanks to allow them to rest at almost the same height. On an authentic dummy, the upper limbs will be within 1/2" of the same height. This is essential. The left bong sao should be at the same height as a right bong sao, for example

Common body flaws with other dummies:

• Flat Bodies. A dummy with a flat body cannot be effectively used from different angles.
• Some dummies on the market do not even have holes for the support slats

Common stand flaws:

• If a dummy's stand is not strong enough to withstand strong forces, the practicioner will be unable to train to his potential

Can I see some sample pages from your book?

Sure. Please click the sample pages link on the menu.

How does a PVC body differ from a wooden body?

The plastic body performs almost exactly like a traditional body, except it doesn't weigh as much. Since it is plastic, harder punches can be delivered without much pain. It is also much easier to cut holes in a plastic body than a wood one. It is all but impossible to adaquately cut holes in a wooden trunk unless you are an experienced wood worker.

What about using PVC limbs?

PVC limbs will bend and possibly break if you apply too much force to them. Also, PVC limbs cannot be set so the top arms rest at the same height. Please see the section above on "Limb flaws."

I do not practice Wing Chun or Jeet Kune Do but I practice ________ art. Will I benefit from a practice form?

While a traditional Wing Chun wooden dummy was designed for Wing Chun techniques, other arts' techniques can still be applied to it. However, it is up to you to decide if you think your practice would benefit from one.

What is the format of your book?

The book is 17 pages (not including the cover) with color photographs and black and white diagrams. It comes with comb binding, a black backing, and a clear cover. This allows the book to lay open at your workspace for you to reference while you work.

What are the key points to look for when comparing wooden dummies?

The following are all essential to an authentic dummy:

• Wooden limbs that are tapered and round, with the top two being almost the same height. The shanks (the part that goes through the dummy) should be square to prevent the arm from spinning.
• A round body of proper diameter, which is 8.5" to 9.5". Any larger or smaller does not allow the arms to be set properly.
• A sturdy frame.

A dummy lacking any of the above characteristics will not allow for proper structure development.