Tubes and Springs

[Guest guest]

The three tube vs two tube challenge recurs frequently in BW circles. One often

stated advantage of a three tube B-X style design is that it will enable the

user to apply different forces at each end of the device. The advocate's

argument being that one side of the body may well be stronger than the other

side and the extra tube somehow compensates for this variation.

A countryman of mine called Sir Isaac Newton is famed for his many important

scientific works. Some three hundred years ago, he published his three laws of

motion. One of these laws states that when an object is stationary, every action

(force) has an equal and opposite reaction. If you are a believer of this law,

you will concede that when a device with any combination of tubes and springs is

held in each hand and compressed, however hard the user stretches his muscles or

his imagination, the forces applied at each end of the device are still equal

and opposite.

In an attempt to put this matter to rest, may I suggest a simple test that any

three tube, multi-spring fan can perform to convert skeptics such as me into

true believers:

Whilst holding a three tube device, step carefully onto a generously greased,

smooth steel plate. Hold the device level at chest height and squeeze the

handles towards each other. If the tester is truly able to apply a greater force

to one end of the device than the other end (i.e. Sir Isaac got it badly wrong),

then the tester's feet will slip slightly on the greased plate and the tester's

body will rotate away from the stronger side of his body.

With further training it should be possible to increase the imbalance of forces

applied to the device until a steady high speed spinning motion is achieved. At

this point I would suggest a video recording of the event be uploaded onto U

Tube for us all to enjoy and please don't forget to send his own

personal copy.