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I fancy using one of these as a modification to my 'torn and restored' card routine.

I notice that there are many on the market and they all look the same and as there is a wide variance in prices, I assume that the quality varies accordingly.

Anyone got any tips as to what I look for? Makes that you've tried and recommend would be helpful.

I have looked at one and the effect was slow to clear and unless the movements were abrupt and unreal, the effect didn't work well. In fact the effect didn't work sush that 75% cleared and 25% slowly trickled out of existence no matter what.

Are there good manufacturers of this, and other effect, that I should always aim for perhaps.

Any assistance most gratefully received,

Vic

Does anyone out there use a sand frame in their magic I wonder?

I keep seeing them in various of the shops I visit and on web sites and yet the only ones I've played with seem reluctant to clear freely, which I assumed was a problem with the product (not me surely?).

Can't find a review of these anywhere and all the adverts says they are the best thing you can buy. There must be someone who can help me buy one that will last and do the stuff _ I hate buying something to realise that I could have bought better for the same price (or often in magic it seems, less).

Thanks,

Vic

to be honest and based on experience most of the sand frames ive used have had the same fatal flaw that of condensation causeing the sand to stick.
the only way round iv'e found to combat this is to make my own and include a bag of disectant (damp wick) in the special part.
i havan't used a sand frame for almost 10 years so the tech might not be as bad and i dont know any working pros that do not when as in your case you could use a change card or change envelope, if you need to use a frame then a bit of digging or a diy project would be a frame based on the polarisation of light .

Well that seems to confirm my thinking - at the moment rely on envelopes, himber wallet and the like. Thought I'd add some variation but what you've said makes sense in a big way so will go another direction!

Now intrigued by polarised light (Maths & Physics background stirring )
Will have to get experimentsing.

Thanks again,

Vic

I tried to post this yesterday.
The sand frame is a very useful piece of kit, and because it isn't seen much these days, it could be worth investing in one.
But , if you do, don’t buy a new one, since most have a plastic front, which can get scratched by the sand. This is also why, as mentioned above, you can get condensation.
You will find that 99% of good second hand magic dealers will have old sand frames.
I own 2, one, a lovely black victorian item, will take a playing card, and the other, well, its huge, and weighs a ton.

The condensation aspect (which has been adressed by both of you) has been one of my greatest concerns as I have looked at a few now and the always take an age to fill (not too much of a problem with that) but also take an age and a bit of 'encouragement' (which is difficult unless I put an electrocution routine into the act) to clear and this is my concern.

The comment regarding the glass and also the previous one regarding some form of deliquescent material (silica gel or something similar) are both helpful in the extreme. Thank you,

Vic