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Hello everybody, Im looking for an answer to a question I have But first let me just say that im new to this forum and am looking forward to making new friends. everyone seems very helpful.

Im looking to make a specific kind of Hold-Out like the one Jack Miller used.
Im aware of the book "Hold-Out Miracles", but what i dont know is does it actually explain how to make the device. I cant seem to find the contents anywhere and i dont really want to buy it if it doesnt have what I need.

If anyone can confirm if thats in the book i would appreciate it very much.
If not maybe someone can direct me to some material that could explain it for me.

Again, Thanks

Jake

Hi Jake. I dont know about the book 'Hold Out Miracles'. There is a dvd of the same name by Jack Miller, which teaches a few routines and techniques using his holdout. And yes it does indeed explain how to make your own. Hope this helps. Jim. Oh and welcome to TM

Just checked and the Hold Out Miracles book is by Ed Mishell, so it might not be specific to the Jack Miller version

Thanks for your help Jim, and the welcome. I found a site selling the Jack Miller Dvd and the book with it so I will most likely order it today!
Thanks again!

Jake

The book by Ed Mishell explains the use and construction of a Miller gravity hold out. A few years ago Alan Greenberg made a DVD explaining some of the routines from the book.

Michel Vernet from Argentina makes a Gravity holdout (GHO) called the Invisible Hand. This also comes with an attachment set which will greatly increase the number of effects that can be done. His 3 DVD set, also called the Invisible hand is required watching for anyone who wants to use a GHO.

There are a few other commercially available systems, ranging from the quite cheap (the Super-M) through the more expensive (Antonio Roberto's Perfect Holdout) to the ridiculously expensive (the Fitch-Kohler system).

One thing to remember - GHOs take a lot of practice to be able to get the most from them. They are easy to use badly, but to put them to their fullest use, whichever system you get or make, will take a good number of months of diligent work. They are the antithesis of 'self working'.

Having said all that, if you are willing to do a bit of DIY to make one up, your best value for money is the Vernet DVDs. They are a bit more expensive, but the contents far outweigh the Greenberg DVD. However, if you just want to dip your toe in the water, as it were, the Greenberg disc does have a PDF of the book, so you can kill two birds with one stone.

Hope that helps,

Ian

Thanks Ian,
Ill try the Greenberg DVD for now, If i find that its not for me I can always go a different route.

Ill try and keep posted how things go.

Thanks again

Jake

If you have trouble finding or making any of those, Ben Seidman's 'Catch' has a doable DIY version.

IanKendall wrote:There are a few other commercially available systems, ranging from the quite cheap (the Super-M) through the more expensive (Antonio Roberto's Perfect Holdout) to the ridiculously expensive (the Fitch-Kohler system).

Ian

I find it amusing that you believe the Fitch-Kohler unit is "ridiculously expensive", I paid over $1,500.00 each for two Owen made Keplinger Hold-Outs back in the late 70s so Bob's price isn't that out of line. But it is priced so that the units go to genuine pros or serious collectors that will protect and take care of it. The real issue most have when investigating that unit is the sales agreement and condition of sale; it's more akin to a lease agreement when you get right down to it... you can use the device for as long as you wish but if you decide to sell it, you must arrange the sell with Bob or his legal representative in that he does not want "just anyone" to have the thing... it's quite interesting and oddly, an approach that's becoming a bit more visible in our world

I've always loved the Hold-Out... since I first saw James West get that little sleeve gun (Wild, Wild West -- the Tv series) they've been a thing I've always found wonderfully sneaky. The Fitch-Kohler unit allowing you to do some very uncanny miracles including a Water to Beer bit that's mind blowing.

"sigh" it's 2:30 a.m. and my insomnia is really making me ramble...

Later folks!