My 3rd grappling dummy is done. Not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but still better than a lot of what I've seen. More than anything, building this one gave me a lot of ideas on how to build a better one. I'll be starting version 4 soon.
This one turned out a lot bigger than I expected since I just eye-balled all the measurements instead of actually using a tape measure. So the dummy has unnaturally long arms and legs.
One of the main problems I've had with grappling dummies in the past is that when you leave it in the gym, everybody, and I mean everybody will beat on the thing, especially the head. If the dummy is a human-shaped heavy bag, this causes the inevitable problem of the contents of the head shifting into the body, so you end up with a deflated head.
First, this one is not a heavy bag at all, it's basically a frame wrapped with a complex network of knots (kind of the opposite.) But I further remedied that problem by making the head almost entirely out high density foam- also it's face is an old focus mitt. So you can punch it in the face all you want. There's also a generous amount of high density foam padding in the chest (the second target people usually go for when beating on grappling dummies)
For version 4, I ordered a thinner more flexible frame, and elastic ropes instead of the fabric ropes I used to get this one to retain its posture. Also, I need to change the skin. This one is basically wrapped in lycra fabric from head to toe, but that permeable surface that will be difficult to clean. The best I can do is spray it with an aerosol disinfectant. I need a better option before I even think about mass producing these things.
Total construction time: about 3 hours.
This one turned out a lot bigger than I expected since I just eye-balled all the measurements instead of actually using a tape measure. So the dummy has unnaturally long arms and legs.
One of the main problems I've had with grappling dummies in the past is that when you leave it in the gym, everybody, and I mean everybody will beat on the thing, especially the head. If the dummy is a human-shaped heavy bag, this causes the inevitable problem of the contents of the head shifting into the body, so you end up with a deflated head.
First, this one is not a heavy bag at all, it's basically a frame wrapped with a complex network of knots (kind of the opposite.) But I further remedied that problem by making the head almost entirely out high density foam- also it's face is an old focus mitt. So you can punch it in the face all you want. There's also a generous amount of high density foam padding in the chest (the second target people usually go for when beating on grappling dummies)
For version 4, I ordered a thinner more flexible frame, and elastic ropes instead of the fabric ropes I used to get this one to retain its posture. Also, I need to change the skin. This one is basically wrapped in lycra fabric from head to toe, but that permeable surface that will be difficult to clean. The best I can do is spray it with an aerosol disinfectant. I need a better option before I even think about mass producing these things.
Total construction time: about 3 hours.