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I'm having problems - let's just call them INSURMOUNTABLE IMPEDIMENTS - to performing Airtight, and that's just with setup.

Are the balloons provided inadequate for the job, or am I?

Is the method suggested in the manual for setup ideal, or is there a better way to go about this?

I like the IDEA of the effect, but I'm afraid that's all I'll ever get to like about the trick! Should I content myself with describing for others how good it could be if I ever had the wherewithal to pull it off?

Sorry for the rambling, but this trick is really got me stumped out of the gate.

Any help would be greatly appreciated....

You're not wrong, it is a little sod to set up. The balloons that come with it are adequate but pretty tight, I broke a couple before getting it right. If you have access to a vice it's best to use one, I managed it without but I had to jam the cards in a drawer as I remember. I can't really explain in more detail in public but feel free to pm me if you like.

Ironically I've never performed it because I wasn't comfortable with the routine itself when I bought it a couple of years ago. At the time I knew virtually no sleight of hand so it really wasn't the trick for me, I'm going ot resurrect it as soon as it reaches the top of my magic priority list though as it really is a stunning effect.

I admit it is a great effect, but I rarely use it...Do you all give our the balloon and deck as souvnirs, or do you recycle them?

I have this and never use it...I don't want to give the deck and balloon away every time. does anyone have any advice on how to realign things in the balloon to reset if you wish to recycle the originals? Or is it even possible...maybe I should just be giving them away. In roaming I want to conserve pocket space and would like to not have to a carry additional supplies/decks.

Call me stupid, but it doesn't say anything in my write up that comes with it...are they just regular balloons, or will all balloons work?? Never paid any attention to balloons before and not sure if they are a special style tha allows for more "flexabiliy" in hte set up phase.

While on the topic....anyone have any suggested clips or alterate methods they use to tie off the balloon without really tying it off? In the event recycleing is possible, I would assume that tying the balloons off wouldn't be suitable.

There's an alternative handling on Jay's "Real Work on Restuarants and Bars" if I remember correctly it's called Air Tighter (?).

DavMac wrote:There's an alternative handling on Jay's "Real Work on Restuarants and Bars" if I remember correctly it's called Air Tighter (?).

That's the one! I know the original is a pain and Jay says himself on the Real Work that while sacrificing the penetrating phase of the trick, its worth it for practicality's sake.

Still haven't performed this but am thinking about it.

Not only is Airtight a bu**er to set up, it's also not very deceptive.

Copperfield did it on an early special and had considerable trouble carrying it off.

Sankey used to be (about 30 years ago) part of a Saturday "jam" session in Toronto. One day he did his Airtight.

The general feeling was one big yawn.

There are some clear and consice instructions ( plus some good handling tips, how to set this up , outs, ect. ) on this dvd.

http://www.mymagic.com/blum.htm

I had no idea that there was even a DVD....the literature that comes with it does cover the handling and set up well enough, but doesn't say anything about what/where to look when buying additional balloons, and anything about reset (if even possible) quickly without fumbling like crazy.

the info is on the dvd.Its not Sankey by the way, but another guys take on the effect. But its a good explanation, and Jay gets full acreditation.

i should add that this dvd had mixed reviews when it first came out, but i found that if you ignore the bad points, the hints and tips are very sound.

I believe I remember seeing an alternative handling on his Real Work in Restaurants & Bars DVD - it's not the full effect, but you might find it a bit easier to begin with