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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
What is a simple but elegant way to convert the back end of Chinese Sticks for the Benson routine?
NO screw eyes please and using thin string. Thank you.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
Craft glue dots. After cutting the string, the glue dots rub off easily from most surfaces.
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
And that will support one stick hanging?
------------------------------------- How does the original work? I've never seen one. Thanks.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
TheRaven Special user 597 Posts |
I would say it depends on the exact construction of the sticks you are modifying. Material, shape, end caps, etc. Also may depend on model as to what the internals of the stick are.
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jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
Your original post doesn't give much information about the sticks you are using- material, length, weight, etc. Glue dots work fine with small lightweight sticks where you just need an extra string to show up for laughs and to cut in two. If you want the full treatment of a functional string running from stick to stick, you're going to have to rebuild them along the lines of my "Roy Benson Style String Sticks" found in The Wizards' Journal #27. If you have never seen Roy Benson's original sticks in action, here's a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOfzp4Wt-pE
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Hi Jay...you could try this...
Using stick and stick velcro. Stick a square of the loops part of the velcro to the rear ends of the sticks. Splay out the frizzed, cut ends of the piece of rope/string you're using to 'connect' the rear ends of the sticks... spread those splayed out ends onto and over the sticky side of the 'hook' part of a square of velcro the same size as is on the end of the sticks...take a piece of gaffers/duct tape the size of this square and cut a hole in the centre to snugly accommodate the diameter of the rope and slip this over the rope and down onto the velcro trapping the spayed out ends of the rope firmly between the sticky surfaces of the tape and the velcro. Do the same the other end of the rope. Be sure to slip the gaffer tape on before sticking the other splayed out end of the rope to the sticky side of the velcro square. Attach the two roped velcro squares onto the velcro squares at rear end of the sticks. The tape and sticky surface of the velcro should hold the rope firmly in place and easily hold the weight of the stick dangling from it. It will be easy to replace the rope after it has been used in the routine by simply separating the hook and loop velcro squares and sticking another piece of rope between the sticks that has been prepared in the same way.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
The method by Benson is detailed in the Benson book. My book is packed away. I cannot remember his method, but if I get a chance, will look it up.
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Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
The method in the Benson By Starlight book is described on pp 95-97, and requires a LOT of work to a conventional set of Chinese Sticks. Not to tip Benson's method here, but, Jay Leslie.....I don't believe that this is what you're looking for, per se.
If you haven't seen a 3-stick set of Benson-ish Chinese Sticks, in my opinion, the very finest and BEST set (they match an exact description of benson's sticks with one BIG improvement) is the set originally made by George Millward, and originally sold by Denny & Lee. I don't see them on Denny's Website at this time and they may be out of stock. Norm Nielsen's Okito Chinese Sticks are also exceptional, and made in the Okito-Style by Norm and Lupe. They, too, are a three stick set with the Benson Modifications. |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
@ Jay Leslie, it is I thought, I could not remember clearly, so I looked it up in the book.
You need to drill out a large bolt, down the center. that is removed to insert the piece of rope. That also means your back plugs on the sticks need to be threaded, and attached well. Think of the old brass nut off bolt with shoe string running down the center of the bolt. This I purchased from Harry Stanley in the 1970. Note: Jay Leslie is a magic manufacturer of the highest quality, he has no problem making magic props. |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
I think it makes more sense to try my suggestion first before physically altering the fabric pf the sticks.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I have it. The head of the bolt has a notch (thin slice) cut strait from the perimeter to the root of the shaft.
The cord is knotted, tied in a loop around the shaft then it's drawn through the notch so it "locks". More importantly the stick hangs as strait (plumb) as possible because the cord is attached near the center. I already tried it and it's simple but elegant.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Glad you've found a solution Jay. And one that requires no alterations. I still can't picture your solution. Any chance you can post a picture?
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Yes, For posterity sake I’ll post one in a few weeks.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Ok, it's been a "few" weeks
I took an elevator bolt, cut two opposing slots and attached it to the end of the stick. It's a simple but elegant soulotion. Just wrap the knotted string through one slot, around the shaft and out the other slot. It takes seconds and you don't need tools, nada, none. Well. After trying to upload a photo, it won't go. This used to take an iPhone photo and size it automatically but it's not doing it and my phone doesn't have the capacity to shrink photos unless I mail them to myself but even then..... So here's the photo on my FB https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_f......ef=br_rs
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
That's brilliant Jay. Much better than my solution which requires re doing part of the set up for every performance.
With your solution its a one time alteration and next to no setup for each performance. that's so much simpler. Thanks for sharing the idea so generously.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Thank you. I just couldn't see screwing a part on and off each time.
Something as easy as this is bound to get knocked off so I might as well share it as long as I'm given credit now and in 100 years. 😇
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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