talkmagic.co.uk

Hey there,

Just thought that a 'cheaper alternatives' section (perhaps a better name could be invented) for magical accessories that can be found around the house. However im not sure how far this complies with the rules of exposure. For example, I know some household goods that can be used as roughing for cards, a mix to make magicians wax etc.

Please post your thoughts,

Alex

I'm not sure the "make it at home" idea would fly. but i can see where you're going with it. it could be a... "i would use bicycle cards but they're too expensive for me!" style thing, of course the responce would be... "buy the bicycle factory seconds decks, no one ever notices anyway!"

Not too sure what you mean Lawrence, id personally find it tricky to make bicycle cards, (or any decent cards for that matter) out of household objects hehe

What I mean is that for example instead of buying IT at say £10 a reel from a magic dealers, you could buy ********* instead which is just as good from your local knitting shop.

I dont wish to reveal, as I don't want to get a wrist slap from the mods. Can one of you guys confirm if this sort of topic is kocha?

Cheers

A

Yeah I thought I would save my self £80, tried using a real knife to put through my arm, not recommended

On a serious note I have strange travellers (hughly recommend) and the idea in the booklet about a card box is good.

Yet to try, me and superglue have a history

I have just started reading "close-up magic" by Nicholas Einhorn and there is a complete chapter devoted to tricks that can be done with stuff you will find at any dinner table, it's worth alook in your library

As a bit of a DIY-er, I think that's an excellent idea. Nothing worse knowing perfectly well how an effect is done (and I'm talking about anonymous, "classic" effects where someone is just cashing in by marketing the gimmick - not individual's effects which you should buy!) but not being sure how to go about it, and ending up spending £15 on a little piece of plastic

A good idea, BUT, it could cause problems.

There are a few ideas in MWCCIM, eg the Square Circle. Do we change the dimensions just enough so we can write them here?

Then you have to find out where to stop. Sure, you might have a couple of old pens, and the items required to make a Perfect Pen/ Pen Through Anything. If you make something on your own, to replace the one you bought and lost the end to, that is one thing. To put out for everyone to see is something else.

Like I said, the idea is good, but I think it would cause alot of work for the Mods. Look at all the "tell me how" posts. If we start in one section, how do we then tell people this Forum is against exposure?

Not having a go Alex, you did the right thing wondering out loud. I think the Mods might spend more of their time checking on the whether each post is suitable, than they have time for.

Well, if I understood him correctly he meant giving alternatives for supplies not tricks. For materials commonly used in effects such as wax, IT, and flash paper and not topics like "How to construct cheap gimmicks for Box Monster" which would completely give the trick away. If topics like "Flash paper for less" is what he meant then I completely agree with him; why should we have to buy something that we can make for half the price from magic dealers? Effects should cost a lot as you are buying secrets, but the items such as IT should not cost as much as it does (actually I think IT is sold pretty cheap but that is besides the point). If that's what he meant then we should add something like this to the restricted section as a "just in case" measure to prevent some exposure to the general public. If however you meant something else, please clarify and for now count me out.

~David

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HMM, wrote a reply, but kept coming up error. Only let me wriite aaaa??????

I see all views above... but what IS a good alternative for flash paper?

I've tried making my own but the only effect I managed was the 'mystical disappearing eyebrows' [jk]

Also magicians wax for future reference (not had the pleasure of using it yet)

and while we're there, roughing. Bought my first brainwave deck and have SOOO many great ideas with the concept... I've tried so many products that my local shopkeeper now thinks I run a salon.

ITR's would be good too, again finding it difficult finding an alternative but I KNOW they're out there, elastic and static.

I'm making my shopping list for tescos so I'll add these on soon

Thanks a billion in advance to anyone who replies with a 'sensible' suggestion!

Unfortunately slicksps this isn't an actual topic, It is just a request, so i doubt anyone will be able to help you out. Also it may be worth introducing yourself on the introduction section if you haven't already done so.

Sam

slicksps wrote:but what IS a good alternative for flash paper?.....Thanks a billion in advance to anyone who replies with a 'sensible' suggestion!

Not sure if you class this as sensible or not but there isn't an alternative to professionally made flash paper as such.

Sure you can mix up a few basic chemicals, impregnate the paper and let it dry but if you intend using this in a public performance then, out of respect and consideration for the audience, you need to use the proper stuff as anything home made will be unreliable and probably quite dangerous. Those who were at the Blackpool Magic weekend last February will probably recall the accidental fire which wiped out a whole load of flash paper on sale, as well as the table and many other items. That was proper stuff so you can imagine what unpredictable home made stuff could do. The cost of the professional paper isn't all that high so why take risks just to save a few pence and possibly endanger spectators?

You hit what I was getting at David

"roughing. Bought my first brainwave deck and have SOOO many great ideas with the concept... I've tried so many products that my local shopkeeper now thinks I run a salon"

What exactly were u using for roughing?

thanks in advance.

Alex