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For those of you that use and ITR and have also used just plain old IT...what are your reasons for continuing with the ITR vs IT....? I have utilized both, and find the ITR makes the entire process much easier and forgiving (when it comes to breakage).....I also understand that some effects can't be done with an ITR the same way (or sometimes at all) as regular IT....I am curious to here the whys, how comes, and personal feelings on this subject, from others that have played WITH BOTH!

i use an ITR wizard...i just like the set-up more to be honest, i have my ITR wizard under a jacket lapel, and when i need to use it, i just grab the prepared bit, and with my middle finger just push it against my right hand's ring that i wear...i find that set-up the easiest for me...

as for not being able to do certain effects..well, i use mine for touching, levitations and general movement...i cant think of what effects (of the top of my head) that cant be done using an ITR, but! i do know that inverse of that statement is true too...

loops are pretty good too i think, but its been so long now since i used just plain old IT, i cant quite remember what it was like...nah...i just really like the sneakiness and adaptability of an ITR...

its like using a PK5 in some respects, as in, the areas that you can place an ITR are kinda the same...and far more secure that just using IT...

im just waiting for someone to produce an ITR that lets you ulitise multiple thread at once...

Do you find the breakage is much less with you ITR vs IT? That is what I have found.......has anyone tried restringing their old IT spool or is it just best to by a refill when in it done?

yeah, quite alot less...but i think that can just be pure good lack y'know...

when i was testing out various ITRs, i've still got my very first one (the cheapo india TRs for a fiver), yet bigger slightly more expensive ones used to snap on me all the time...

loops are the happy medium i reckon, but i dunno, i just like ITRs...on occasion i attach one to my watch strap a la spiderman...

stand alone IT is fine, when i have used them, i anchor to my mobile phone or wallet (as i usually perform round a medium sized 6-8 seater)...

ever read SHIVERS by gary sumpter, there's some nice effects in there for ITR...

abraxus wrote:ever read SHIVERS by gary sumpter, there's some nice effects in there for ITR...

See the Review at
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic5869.php

I think mine is called "Thread Boss - Micro".....paid $75 for it and really like it.....does anyone have one of the India ones (the ones everyone says is about a fiver) they would like to trade off.....I would just like to try one for the fun of it....I will trade you something for it......let me know!?!?!

a word of warning about the indian versions...they eeeeek a little rather than being silent, but they're good for messing around with and trying out new things...

It's not Just a matter of personal choice. As in all things you use the one which fits the situation & in magic's case, the venue as well.
I tried at least 5 Indian ITR's.. They all snapped the necessary and all broke and I found them unreparable. The noise...well if you gavve your audience ear plugs.
Don't EVER buy cheap in magic. In this case go to the originator James George ar Sorcery Shop.
My first ITR, the standard 6 inch one was purchased in 1990. It still works perfectly. Has onlt snapped about twice and NEVER in performance. I did have it 'overhauled' by young paul of Wood & Brass. Dooes anyone know what happened to him? He was going into Magic full times after A levels & Uni.,
I also bought the Micro ITR ( 4 inches) in 1993. This works fine too.
The Thread Boss ( bought in 2002) has ALWAYS snapped on me and is never used. It's NOT the Kevlar th. version.

It seems to me the smaller the gimmick, the larger the problems.
I found the bigger the ITR the greater strength and quantity of Th. it hed.
For IT I love( and ONLY use) Jon Le Clairs ' Animator' This is simple, foolproof and safe.
For my Floating Ball( which I've performed over 30 years) I've used the method of preparing IT developed by Mike Danata years ago.

These are the recommendations I used to give out in my lecture' Now You See It Now You Don't' on IT.

Allen Tipton.

From the best of my knowledge (in researching and playing) it seems that the general opinion is that the longer the ITR the less breakage you will have - due to the lenght of the "winding system" - as it provides you a little more slack and foregiveness when pushing the limits. It also sounds as though you can comfortably dispense great lenghts for the same reason.........and for the reasons above - will also tend to hold slightly heavier objects.

Would you agree with this Allan?

I have tended to move away from IT and into just trying to work with the ITR, but have to say that I totally agree with your opinion on using both - depending on venue, situation, effect, etc - that just seems to be the best consideration rather than simply use one or the other. As far as regular IT goes, I have just began using the "Leclair Animator" method....and you are right, it does seem to be one of the strongest ways of anchoring and using the IT.

Yes the general opinion, Moodini, seems to be the greater the length the more chance of breakages but although a number of magicians say this, they tend to equate length with the type of ITR being used.
Could be that the longer ones hold more IT and magicians let out more than they should..hence length puts more strain the IT. I wish they'd realise that although adverts will often say you can stretch it out to 20 feet or whatever, who in their right minds would want to do this. Better to check James George's videos/dvds and see how he does it; apart from one floating ball in either vol 1 or 2. The anchor for this you couldn't set up realistically.
ITR is best used in 'close' up work, rather than in cabaret on a ballroon floor.
I did enclose one of the original ( standard) ones in a black cardboard tube, with white ends added, thus disguising it as a wand. with one small hole in the side,a 'natural' holder for the ITR.Later I used a glitter paper for the tube.
Then I used it for Michael Lair's ' 'Beach Ball Memories' effect. This uses a Japanese .very strong, paper ball, approx, 6 inches in diameter, which I think they belt around in a game.
I used the 'Wand' to inflate it, blowing down into the paper shell. A great excuse for the tube/wand to be used. Then anchored the end of IT.( usually to a wall but often to my table. Let out the ITR and voila, a large Floating Ball you could present very close up and anywhere.
The 'wand' kept in the right hand was used to help float the ball and pass over it to show no connections.
I have, as I mentioned, the original 6 inch ITR model which always seems to hold stronger IT, whereas the mini=mini ones seems to break easily. perhaps this is because being so small the 'winder' whips the IT in faster.

I am so glad you like The Animator. It is so versitile and his IT seems stronger than most. Also you could have TWO of them on your person.
Nice to hear from you.
Allen Tipton

Now taking this "thread" - no pun intended - into another direction....has anyone every messed around with, had success with, or knows someone that might have an uncle who had a room-mate with a girlfriend in college whose brother's friend tried this once.....

Refilling your own ITR reel when it is empty.....vs. buying the replacement spools?

Any comments on it? Is it worth it? Possible? etc?