Help. I need to find a source for a large mirror glass/goblet. I have a very nice standard size one, but I want to find one that can handle 3 24" silks tied together on each side, so that seemingly the silks never leave the eyes of the audience.

Does anybody know of a source for a larger type mirror glass/goblet?

Thank you.

M. Reist

That's the kind of effect that really needs an "Anti-Mirror Glass" (see Wizards' Journjal #16 on my site). The mirror glass was never meant to be an object scrutinized by the audience as the center of attention in an effect. Instead, it should be used in a very minor role. It really can't take the "heat" very well, as Louis Nikola and others have pointed out time and again.

Using an "Anti-Mirror Glass" technique would allow you to search the stores for a glass the size you need and then easily gimmick it yourself to perform the effect you desire.

Hi, I’m the least handy guy in the world,
but I was able to design and make a great custom prop.

I found a beautiful “cut-glass” vase at a local Ross Store,
it was just the correct larger size and shape and
the design provided the correct amount of misdirection and cover.

I filled it about 1/3 full of water (as water expands)
sealed it with saran wrap and masking tape.

I then put it in the freezer, carefully laying on its side, horizontally,
but propped the end up so the water was level, and let it freeze.
I then quickly removed the vase from the freezer--
It was now exactly divided into halves with a large ice-cube.

I ran a bit of hot water to loosen the frozen cube,
then used the ice-block as a template to draw the shape and size,
on a thick piece of matt-board cardboard and cut it out with a matt-knife..
After cutting out the shape I had a prefect pattern for my vase gimmick.

I suppose I could have just covered this cardboard cut-out
with aluminum foil or mylar, but instead to do it right--
I took this template to the Tap Plastics location near me,
http://www.tapplastics.com/
they cut two pieces of thin mirror Plexiglas to size using my pattern,
and then permanently glued them back-to-back for me.

Voila! When I fitted, then glued the Tap-Plastics piece into place,
and I had a very elegant, very deceptive, and high-quality,
custom glass for my silk transition work.

I’ve also seen plastic “cut-glass” style vases and goblets that might work well.
Hope this helps!

Magically,
Walt

Thank you Walt for sharing such a great idea with us!



Mike

Walt, you're a genious!

Jim

Walt, never heard of the frozen idea before. Over the years I've made a few mirror glasses by tracing around the outside of the goblet/glass onto some shiny sheet metal and when cuting to size with tin snips deducting an 1/8 inch all around, hotn glue into place.

Walt your idea is great!

One problem I encountered when making a mirror glass is keeping the glue from making a mess on the inside of the glass when installing the mirror.

My solution was to take one piece of mirror and run epoxy glue near the edge of the back of the mirror. Put this in the glass. You can now put the second piece of mirror in the glass. When the two mirrors are squeezed together, the glue that is between them is forced out to the edges of the mirror where it bonds to the glass. It worked really well.

Cheers,
Chris

Not sure.

About what?

Mike

Along the lines of the ice in the glass...I used to use spray insulation foam. You have to coat the glass with some oil first, but after that, you squirt the foam in the glass, it will expand and form fit the inside of the lass and dry within a hr or so.
You then loosen the foam and slice it in half which will give you a cut of the glass. You can also do a slice at different angles.
If you use a fluted tumbler, you can segment the glass and actually have a load chamber in it by cutting two mirrors. Glue it in a v configuration in the glass.

Yes, this is a very old thread, but I must say...

After having made several mirror glasses via the trial and error approach, the frozen water idea is brilliant!
For a more permanent pattern, try using 2 part casting acrylic - just remember to use the mold release!

Http://magicstore.ca/?product=crystal-mi......115eb4b3

This is a good size mirror bucket that can accommodate a large load. Handy handles as well, and it’s made of acrylic so not fragile like glass.

I agree that a mirror glass is not the best utility when it is the direct focus of the magical event. We have had success employing the B/A principle for cleanly switching cards. The thin gimmick comes out of the glass when the card(s) is removed and casually shown front & back. Of course, the glass is now clean as a whistle and can be handled freely.

I can imagine the same approach being effective with a larger receptacle.

Julie

While looking for another effect, I stumbled across this Mirror Bucket. Should working perfectly for large silks, as originally desired.


https://tricksupply.com/product/water-ti......o-trick/

Hurry, don't know how long they will be available.