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rtgreen Inner circle Portland, Oregon 1322 Posts |
Hey everyone,
I have been watching Rand Woodbury's tapes the last couple of days and found he uses sheet metal for the floors of the bases he constructs. What are the advanages of this over wood? It seems to me that it wouldn't be able to hold as much weight and you could also get that pop sound that metal makes if it is a little warped. Any thoughts? Thanks, Richard |
Chris Stolz Inner circle Mississauga, Ontario 1958 Posts |
Here are a few possible advantages:
* Wood can crack under weight and warp in the heat of the stage lights. * The metal will have a gentle bend wihout risk of cracking. * The metal is more slippery. It's much easier to slide into the base. -Chris.
Chris Stolz
BLACK ART BOOK: Hiding In The Shadows. |
briansmagic Special user USA 507 Posts |
Also, sheet metal is thinner than plywood. Not much, but hey, every little bit counts! I am building a base right now (zimmerman base) and it is almost finished. I used plywood for the bottom and now wish I would have used sheet metal. When metal flexes, you know it wont break. when plywood flexes, your not quite sure....
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The Mirror Images Inner circle Michigan/USA 1980 Posts |
Hey love to see pictures of your zimmerman base.
Michael
Steven and Michael, The Mirror Images
The MOST Identical Twin Illusionist http://www.themirrorimages.com Check out our latest new effect - Liquid Steel NEW - MotoBox NEW - MotoMation NEW - Voyager |
Cliffg37 Inner circle Long Beach, CA 2491 Posts |
Remember, Rand glues black velvet to his sheet metal, the audience never sees in there. This protects the box jumper from the cold, the "pop" (if it is screwed in taughtly, and sliding out of control.
Magic is like Science,
Both are fun if you do it right! |
magicmanrob Regular user 158 Posts |
You can also use alluminu sheeting , a 1/4 " shhet will not add much to the thickness and elimnates any pop sound of the sheet metal , and will be a lot lighter for transporting
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magicman414 Regular user Oklahoma 157 Posts |
If you have your base up high like for a shadow box, can the audience see it bend?
Cameron
Square-Circle: $59.99 Smoke Chamber: $1,299 Showing up at work with a bad hair day dressed like a clown, and your clients are 7 years old: Priceless Some things money can't buy For everything else there's Magster Card |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Not if you light it correctly.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Dave Dorsett Veteran user Macomb, Illinois 345 Posts |
As a semi-"retired" builder, I can attest to the plusses of this method. When we at Douglas~Wayne worked with Rand during the early '90's we tested all kinds of things like thinner fiberglas reinforced wood, ATA case style material, anyhting to try to gain those precious cubic inches. Nothing ended up working as well as sheet metal and you really do gain quite a bit of space. We never went back to anything else.
If using sheet metal it is critical to use lots of fasteners VERY close together. If using plate aluminum you can use fewer fasteners but need to countersink them. You can also use a grinder, file or even heavy-duty router to ease the edge to fool the eye even more. 1/4" plate aluminum is almost overkill unless you're into something Asrah sized. For, say, a Palanquin or Lady in Puzzle sized prop, 1/8" is OK.
Dave Dorsett
Douglas~Wayne Illusioneering |
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