How to Constuct a Wing Chun Dummy

Originating in Southern China, Wing Chun is a close contact martial art that legend says was developed by a woman. The wooden Wing Chun dummy is a tool used to practice the close combat of Wing Chun. A Wing Chun dummy typically has the torso of a human, a head-shaped piece, two stubby arms, and a leg towards the bottom. These dummies are legendary to martial artists, and very expensive to buy, with some ranging from $600 to $1500 dollars. Building your own can be relatively cheap in comparison, if you have some tools and a bit of creativity. A wing chun dummy consists of a 9 inch "body" post 5 feet tall, two "arms" protruding 9 inches from the top of the "body", a middle "arm" 8 ½ inches below them, and a "leg" 14 inches below the lowest arm.

Things You'll Need

• 1 9 inch by 5 foot round body post
• 3 2 inch by 2 foot dowel rods
• 1 3 inch by 3 foot dowel rod
• Electric drill
• Wood glue
• Rubber mallet
• Spade bits
• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Draw a center line down the side of the body post. This will be your reference for the rest of your measurements.

2. Mark the center line 9 inches from the top of the post. Now mark 2 inches out from that mark perpendicular to the center line.

3. Using a 2 inch spade bit, drill a hole straight in to each of those marks.

4. Clean the debris out of the holes and apply some wood glue into the two holes.

5. Insert a 2 inch dowel rod into each hole using the rubber mallet if needed.

6. Measure another 8 ½ inches down the center line and mark the line there.

7. Drill another 2 inch hole with the spade bit directly on that mark, straight into the body.

8. Clean the debris out of the hole and apply some wood glue.

9. Clean the debris out of the hole and apply some wood glue.

10. Insert the last 2 inch dowel into the hole.

11. Measure another 14 inches down the center line.

12. Drill a hole in the mark with a 3 inch spade bit, angled down at 45 degrees.

13. Remove the debris and apply wood glue.

14. Insert the 3 inch dowel into the hole.

15. Allow the glue to dry and your wing chun dummy is ready to use.

References

• Kug Fu Magazine:You Can Build a Wooden Dummy