talkmagic.co.uk

Hi all,

I'm looking to purchase some chain to do fast and loose with and have no idea what type or size I need. Anyone know about chain?

Thanks!
Dave

I bought some by the meter in a DIY store, gold in color. Mine has links which are about 3 mm long. This is good enough and doesn't get mingled.

Chef Anton & Whit Haydn sell very nice ones on their school for scoundrel web site, but they are very expensive in my opinion.

http://www.chefanton.com/scoundrelsstor ... _loose.htm

Cheers! That is helpful.

I'm trying to avoid buying my chain from a magic shop as I agree that it's too expensive. It's just a bit of chain?!

Yes Dave,

it's a chain whose two extremities are linked together. The "secret" to make the loop stick or not is in the handling of the chain, not the chain itself.

The DVD listed on the link provided is actually very good in explaining the method.

That's the reason I only want the chain really. I know how to do it, I just want a nice bit of chain that isn't overpriced. Cheers for the link though!

Try the sort of chain used on sink and bath plugs, it's called Ball Chain (stoppitt!), usually chrome plated and any decent hardware store or ironmongers should be able to sell the chain and a little joining piece to make it into a loop.

Another possibility is the white plastic ball chain used along the bottom of vertical blinds to keep the individual fabric 'slats' under control, I believe you can glue that stuff into a loop, possibly using poly glue as used for Airfix kits etc.

Cheers, Mandrake! I'll see if I can find some.

I bought my chain from a jewellery hobby store. I use this stuff specifically:

http://www.beadsdirect.co.uk/chain-silv ... re/CH1050/

Not as nice, admittedly, as the French rope chain, but good enough for using.

That's a good price and it looks the part too. Ta!

Are you doing it in the hands or on the table?

The Ball chain mandrake mentions is ideal for in the hands fast and loose, in fact it's almost impossible to use the other chains for in the hands without it catching. But when it comes to on the table the ball chain has a tendency for unwanted movement and can snag on the table. The french braid sold by SfS is perfect for the job, as it's designed for just such purpose but if you don't want to shell out for that then I'd reccomend going for the link posted by Mr_Grue as that style of chain not only looks better but works better too.

It may be thought of as expensive but just for your refference another supplier of chains specifically made for Fast and Loose is Mentalcraft
http://www.mental-craft.com/index.php?p ... t&Itemid=4

I don't have one of his chains but I've only heard good things about them, I do have a selection of ball chain, both the School for scoundrels chains (silver and gold coloured) and the marc de souza chain so if you need to know anything about them please get in touch.