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scottds80 Special user Victoria, Australia 730 Posts |
Is there such a thing in magicians terms as invisible wire that is rigid enough to hold objects on?
Something much thinner than coat hangers. I'd like to float a foam object made to look solid and heavy, while the wire won't be seen. Thanks
"Great Scott the Magician", Gippsland
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Not that I am aware of, in terms of rigid and straight. There are wires that are thin enough to disappear against certain backgrounds, but best for platform or stage use. There are sizes of music wire that might work well under the proper circumstances, but they will be flexible. So the longer the wire, the more it would bend under the weight. A shorter length can support a light weight item without much bending, but that wouldn't prevent the wire from necessarily bending under it's own weight. This factor alone can cause an item perch on one end to bounce and be harder to control. But in the correct length to thickness to object weight ratios, it can work. John Kennedy's Animated Cigarette would be a good example.
It is always possible to suspend an item from a wire (or wires), i.e., hanging down from above (think Kellar levitation). It is also possible to "float" heavier objects if the wire were anchored at two points and the item attached much like something hanging from a clothes line. I had a friend who performed a floating ball of fire that way. It looked really good, too. The only reason I mention this is because, while this same configuration is also done when using threads (Okito Ball), wire has certain properties, such as flame-resistance. Since you included so few details regarding your idea, I can only toss out some random thoughts. Perhaps someone else can point you toward a product that better suits your wants.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
MentalistCreationLab Inner circle 1528 Posts |
Use a very busy backdrop then it wont matter waht wire is used.
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MRSharpe Special user Never a dull moment with 940 Posts |
There used to be a device for doing an improvised coat hanger link. A spectator would pick any two wire coat hangers from the coat rack in the room and the magician would link them. I think the effect was called the Impromptu Linking Coat Hangers, but I can't remember who put it out although I have on. The gimmick is a piece of very thin, high tensile strength wire darkened with gun bluing. The wire was probably stainless steel. So, such a material exists since it was used in a magic effect about 30 years ago. Check with wire suppliers.
Custom Props Designer and Fabricator as well as Performer from Indiana, USA
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Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts |
Michael has already mentioned it. I think music wire is what you are looking for. It is smaller in diameter than coat hanger wire and the right gauge should support a foam object, if it isn't too large. You can get music wire at most hardware or home supply stores.
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martysh Special user Greenville,SC 527 Posts |
Last week I was after the same thing.. my tip was to go to a train store (hobby store) and look for modeling wire.. I did and they said they only have "piano wire" (music wire?) must be the same thing... they also said don't use gun bluing as it is messy and hard to work with get... "blacken - it" and I did .
I am after a linking rubber band or linking finger ring effect.... the inventor of the linking coat hangers is Mike Caveney (sp?) you might find this is your answer. Marty |
MRSharpe Special user Never a dull moment with 940 Posts |
Wrong Linking Coat Hanger, which is basically a CLR set made to look like coat hangers. The one I am talking about could be done with totally normal, unprepared, wire coat hangers right off the coat rack. After the effect they could be returned to the coat rack and/or examined. It was a quick wham, bam, thank you ma'am effect with two coat hangers. The wire for the gimmick wasn't piano/music wire either. Stainless is difficult to finish and it appeared blued.
Custom Props Designer and Fabricator as well as Performer from Indiana, USA
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Mike invented both versions.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
hugmagic Inner circle 7665 Posts |
Mike invented his routine for the linking coat hangers independently of others that had made them before. He bought the rights to the normal two hanger linking gimmick from a guy whose name escapes me at the moment.
Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
martysh Special user Greenville,SC 527 Posts |
Well I sent the wire to Scott at my own expense yesterday.. sure hope he can use it.
not sure we need to fight over credits here...I believe we should be simply trying to help each other. Marty |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Marty, no one is fighting... learning and sharing the truth IS helping each other.
Hopefully, the wire you sent will at least put Scott on the path to finding what works. Music wire (a.k.a. piano wire) comes in many thicknesses, as has been mentioned already. It will be up to him to now experiment. This may involve checking different thicknesses, as well as finding possible ways to decrease the weight of the object he wants to float. Richard, thanks for the info and correcting my error. I only knew that Mike marketed both versions, and assumed he created them both, as well. ~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
malaki Elite user 490 Posts |
There is a ready source of very tough, fine wire, but some work will be involved in it's retrieval.
I have started recycling old computers and electronic equipment. Within the various discarded printers, I have found a wide variety of wire, from the thickness of coat hangers down to the gimmick for a haunted hank. Most have been annealed enough to bend with pliers. Other parts such as springs, magnets and screws are also very helpful. Should you decide to venture into recycling, be careful, for there are many sharp items within, and they do bite. The payoff is well worth a few skinned fingers. The key is to go slowly and pay attention to how the plastic bends, to find the hidden screws. |
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