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gsidhe Inner circle Michigan 1725 Posts |
I am currently working on my WEAR escape...A death chair inspired by Steve Mollett's Garotte Escapes (Brilliant book for those with building skills by the way)that I am calling a lobotomy chair.
This is something that has the potential to kill me pretty much instantly with a pick axe blow to the back of the head. Fortunately it is not set off by an actual timer but may appear to be. All I have to say is stop, and it doesn't get set off. Here is what I need an opinion on. 1- Last 10 seconds of the escape concealed so I can disengage a safety I can build in *or* 2- Full view the entire time, but with no safety, just depending on my partner not to set it off before it is time. *or* 3- Spend the extra time to redesign the safety so I can go very safely in full view. I don't like concealed, but I also don't like not having a redundant safety measure. Option 3 is of course the best, but I am getting stumped on how to do it. Initially the whole thing was going to be concealed, but I figured out how to get around that, so now I am reverse engineering to get a good solid safety in there that I can use full view. It might not be possible. So if you had to choose between one and two, which way would you go? Thanks, Gwyd |
Cliffg37 Inner circle Long Beach, CA 2491 Posts |
Hi Gwyd....
You're asking us for opinions?!? I have to imagine we have plenty... Here is mine. Go with option three. When I watch any form of escape or illusion, and I get to see it all full view till the last moment, I feel cheated. I realize it was something really simple that needed to be covered up rather than something elegant that I can look right at and not know is there. I don't like the idea of no safety and your life being dependent on only a human. You never know when something will happen. I would not want my life at risk of such random things as a bird flies into someone, an unexpected sneeze, and innocent bystander who isn't watching where he is going etc. some other distraction that no one could anticipate. The device should not fire off until you are physically ready for it to. If you are sitting in a chair, having you r feet on a safety device that will not release until you get up would be an idea. Break a chain, I know it will be great!
Magic is like Science,
Both are fun if you do it right! |
gsidhe Inner circle Michigan 1725 Posts |
I know...I know...
I know deep inside this is one of those things where I already know the answer... Just looking for validation really. If it comes down to me not figuring out how to mod the safety for full view I WANT to skip the safety. I won't, but I want to. I hate covering up. Option 3 it must be. Time to sharpen my pencil. G |
Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Never trust anyone but yourself,,,go for 3 and make sure you have a double safety catch.
Ken. |
Mick Hanzlik Special user Mick Hanzlik 588 Posts |
Also, stay away from electronics for any safety device. I know it could be easy to have a remote switch that can be set off backstage, but electronics are great when you can depend on them, but are so unpredictable, and only need a freak power surge or radio interference to either set them off prematurely, or not set them off when needed.
Give me mechanical any time! Cliff's safety catch operated by the feet is a great idea. Mick |
gsidhe Inner circle Michigan 1725 Posts |
Well...I think I have it...There will be a 1/4 steel plate between my head and the pickaxe preventing my premature demise. One that can only be moved very intentionally but invisibly.
Now for the building... ;) G |
Chance Inner circle 1385 Posts |
How about an axe made of soft wood painted silver? If you're going to demonstrate with it beforehand, then one tip is real and the other wood, or your assitant makes the switch for you.
Otherwise, can I have all your toys when you go?.... ;-) |
Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
Gwyd,
PM'd you.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
BBunnell Regular user Utah 116 Posts |
I believe in safety first. My guillotine/straight jacket escape had a safety that if for some reason my assistant(S) (one who is my older brother who I NEVER got into fights with as a kid ha ha ha) made a mistake, and the blade fell early, I would not be injured. Also the timer was never designed to actually release the balde. After numerous tests, I had full confidence in the design of the safety whuch made it possible to be done full view.
Bruce |
Yannou Veteran user 381 Posts |
Don't forget when designing safetyfeatures that they should be failsafe, meaning they must be (or remain) engaged when something fails, not disengaged. If a piece of equipment fails to remove your safety then that's a lot better then when a piece of equipment fails to put or keep your safety in place.
Regarding this particular stunt, I rather like the advice of making a fake pickaxe. Maybe check out some of the fake weapons they sell at LARP shops. |
gsidhe Inner circle Michigan 1725 Posts |
Electronics are definitely out...Never even considered them.
Fake weapons are out as well- The pickaxe is not removable or switchable. The steel plate protecting my skull will be held in place by gravity. It will have to be actively and intentionally pulled upwards. I think I have it figured out. I'll be chatting with Mr. Mollett about the end design and see what he thinks. When it's done I will post pics of the whole thing for y'all to oogle. G |
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