Anyone know where to get some replacement rubber bands for the Crystal Silk Tube?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp0scgsF40k

When I googled the Crystal Silk Tube the first suggestion was for the video I linked above (just in case you are unfamiliar with the trick) and it is performed by a magician who ironically shares my first name, but FYI there is no affiliation.

Check out this thread: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......art=0#16

I would also recommend an orthodontist.

Using a single edged safety razor blade you can "slice" your own from a piece of surgical tubing or find a local orthodontist (braces). The rubber bands should be the same size used in most folding quarters, so just about any magic dealer will be more have some for sale.

Before I got the Groovy Silk Tube from Smokey mountain, I was using the bands for folding halves. They were smaller then the ones included so they held better.

I cut some rubber bands from a clear 260 balloon - the ones that are used for balloon twisting. Just use scissors and with the balloon flat, cut across it.

I second the orthodontic bands....theyre durable and long-lasting (think about what theyre built to do!) But just to be safe, I always have 3 on the tube.

I use orthodontic bands but the kids in the audience don't seem to like it when I root around in their mouth just before the show.

I use small magnets...no bands to ever worry about!

Interesting that you say you always keep 3 bands on the tube. I actually put 4 on each side and produce a giant multicolor streamer! Red Orange Yellow Blue Green and Purple (to teach the actual colors in the rainbow!) with one to spare on each side.

I agree with Mr. Lyle.. why use rubber bands when Radio Shack has tiny VERY STRONG magnets that are more reliable, just as strong.. and are FAR less hassle..

They can be glued to the corners of the silks with super glue.. or sewn in place.. either way.. it's a much easier trick to perform.. and looks no different to the audience..

and sadly.. it's not much of a trick to start with...

I get orthodonic braces rubber bands from ebay. They come in 1/4", and 5/16" sizes. Do you have the P&A Silks tube or brand X?

It is a great trick if you use red, white, and blue silks, and morf it into a mis made flag routine.

Posted: Aug 27, 2011 9:11am
Magnets are a great idea, but magnets won't work if you do the Silly Billy routine. Using the rubber bands allow you to miss it the first couple time. If you just do the finale it is not such a great routine. In order to make it really magical you need to have an imagination.

Al,

You can still do Silly Billy's routine with Magnets. You just put the silks in backwards so nothing attracts to each others. I miss it twice and then I nail it on my 3rd attempt. The magnets were not my idea, but an idea that Pavel gave me when he watched me do this routine back in the 80s (using rubber bands) after a lecture of his I attended. I have used magnets ever since!

You can't go wrong taking advise from Pavel.

Since you would be gluing the magnets to opposite corners of the center silk, you could also insert that silk so the two unprepared corners are protruding from the ends of the tube. They would not attract the other two silks (although they MIGHT stick to each other! LOL!) Just experiment, I am sure you'll find a way to make it work.

HA!

I just use the mouth end of a 260 balloon also. it is so strong, that it can be re-used a million times.

how do you conceal the color contrast on the tube to the balloon end/elastic?

The easiest is definitely to go to an orthodontist. I should go get more for mine, but I don't perform it that often, it doesn't seem to get the reactions I want. It's probably my performance, I suppose.

Thanks for all the input so far everyone... Hard to believe with so many kids wearing braces that these are not available at drugstores. I did make some out of the nozzle end of a clear 260 balloon animal balloon and that works pretty well. Thanks Kurt!

Thanks also for the magnetic idea Michael. I love magnets but decided to keep it simple on this one and stick with the way I have been performing it.

Randy: I don't think kids are looking for it and given that you have the tube moving a lot I don't think anyone will likely notice the bands on the end of the tube. (just my best guess since I have yet to use this technique)

Nick: I would recommend David Kaye's Seriously Silly DVD. He has a great presentation for the Crystal Silk Tube. (along with 5 other great routines)

I'm just getting used to this routine and I'm finding the rubber bands can burn you if not slid on properly. Silly Billy merely pushes his band on quite nonchanlantly and it does take practice. I haven't tried it with magnets yet but I plan on trying that too. I'm thinking though that the rubber bands look more like "magical knots" than the magnets will. But what do I know?