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Yinyang107 from the True North (Decatroper) Relationship Status: Tongue-tied
#1: Jul 2nd 2012 at 12:37:49 AM

Or at least, that's the rather politically-incorrect name I know them by, for their tendency to fly apart if you throw or drop them. They might also be known as popsicle stars or something similar.

They take some explaining: first, you need five popsicle sticks. Take three and stack them on top of each other. Spread them like Wolverine's claws, so they're touching at one end but not at the other. Be certain that the one in the middle of the 'claw' is on the bottom of the stack. Take another popsicle stick, and thread it over one outer stick, under the middle one, and over the last. Take the last stick, and do the reverse: thread it under the outer ones and over the middle.

It takes some dexterity and practice to hold the whole thing together during construction, but when you're done it'll stay together on its own so long as none of the sticks is dislodged. Ain't physics great?

edited 2nd Jul '12 1:58:06 AM by Yinyang107

#2: Jul 2nd 2012 at 2:40:32 PM

Those are great. Instant +10 rep with any kids in the area.

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Pykrete NOT THE BEES from Viridian Forest Since: Sep, 2009
NOT THE BEES
#3: Jul 2nd 2012 at 3:38:24 PM

It also doesn't work so hot unless the one threaded over the bottom one is on the outside of the one threaded under it. The idea is that the threaded sticks turn the first three into fulcrums, with the pivots between the threads — they torque the bottom one up and the upper two down so their tips press vertically against each other.

edited 2nd Jul '12 3:40:19 PM by Pykrete

Yinyang107 from the True North (Decatroper) Relationship Status: Tongue-tied
#4: Jul 2nd 2012 at 4:22:05 PM

Knew I forgot something. That is indeed an important detail.

I'm curious; what names do you folks know them by?

edited 2nd Jul '12 4:23:04 PM by Yinyang107

Madrugada Since: Jan, 2001
#5: Jul 2nd 2012 at 5:20:16 PM

I'd never heard of them before, but they sound fun to play with. In a "throw them around and watch them come apart" way.

Filed for use when I have a small child to entertain...

edited 2nd Jul '12 5:20:51 PM by Madrugada

Pykrete NOT THE BEES from Viridian Forest Since: Sep, 2009
NOT THE BEES
#6: Jul 2nd 2012 at 6:18:45 PM

I don't really call them anything. :|

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