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flight10 New user 70 Posts |
I am building a Sword box from Paul Osborne's plans. If you are familiar with this illusion and a Twister illusion you will know that they have a HINGED side wall with a M*****. The plans do not tell you what hinges to use. I think a piano hinge will work fine. However, when the panel is opened at 45% it shows a slight gap at the hinged section. I know that this can be hidden by using a black border to hide the gap but before I go down that path I want to see if anyone is familiar with a better hinging system on a sword box or twister.
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MuleePete Loyal user 272 Posts |
The Learned Pig has the Science and Mechanics Magic Handbook from 1962. It shows plans for the Sword Box without metal hinges, rather doubled material that acts as the hinge. It also uses the alternative to the black interior, for the secret.
I bought a Sword Box back in '75 from Hollywood Magic and it had a light retracking spring that was not all it could have been. Felt flemsy and did not always retract flush. I have thought using the doubled material hinge and stratigicly placed magnets would provide a better looking effect, as well as more securety for the secret. If I am being too stealthy with my discription, PM me. Or could others let me know how much I can disclose in the Work Shop. Mulee |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I will assume the gap you refer to is NOT a gap that allows a view past the hinge to the back. Of course a piano hinge would seal that gap.
I will now assume that the gap is the space where the movable panel actually nests against the side wall, and mor especifically, the strip, or panel section that the hinge also attaches to. The closer the pin of the hinge is to the front surface, the better. The absolute closest would be mounting them on the front surface and chamfering the back side of the joint so the panel can move properly. But obviously you would not want the hinges mounted on the front surface. So, let's look at alternate measures for bringing it closer to the front. It won't completely eliminate the gap, but it will minimize it. The thinner the material used, the closer the hinge pin will be to the front. These illustrations show a hinged panel laying flat against the side wall, then the same panel opened out to approx 45 degrees. Following that is the same configuration, but with thinner materials. Notice the gap showing at the inside (acute) angle is less in the third image. Let's now assume that a point may be reached where the material is too thin to properly support itself. The following image shows the addition of another layer, which gives more support. The addition is shown in red. In essence, the hinge is now buried between layers. Notice also the chamfering of these pieces so they will properly operate. I hope this gives you some other options. ~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
flight10 New user 70 Posts |
Michael. Great images. This is very close to what I had in mind. Because the pin is about 3mm in diameter, I am planning on using 3mm sheet metal (Orange). This will only leave a 3mm gap between the 2 pieces of sheet metal so it will not touch when it is at a 45% angle. The other side of the sheet metal (white) is 3mm thick as well. By reversing the hinge the pin stays hidden. Constant movement of a piano hinge flakes away paint or powder coat and starts to reveal the hinge.
Hinge 1 in the open. Click here to view attached image. |
flight10 New user 70 Posts |
This is the hinge in the closed position. Yes, your post has helped. I would still like to see what other who own a sword box or twister have to say. Is this how it is mounted or is there one better.
Click here to view attached image. |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Your images did not load so I cannot comment on them. I can say that reversing a hinge will sometimes work, other times not. It depends on how far it will open, if it will work for your application.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
flight10 New user 70 Posts |
I changed my preferences. You should be able to seem them now. Since the sheet metal is 3mm (orange) and the gap inbetween is 3mm it will give it a 45% rotation. If I make the gap 3.5mm, it will rotate a full 90%.
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I'm sorry... maybe it's me, but I can't see the images.
I think I get the gist of what you are saying, though. I'm not sure I have any good answers for the paint chipping problem. Hopefully someone else can enlighten both of us. Many times I have resigned to the simple fact that some stage props need a quick tweak periodically... this sometimes includes a quick shot of paint to cover the boogers.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Flight10, your pictures do not show up for me as well. Don't know why, as I even tried each one to show picture again and it does not load.
As for paint chiping when the hinges are in use, there are several factures that cause this. The hinges are to tightly made. You did not clean the metal before painting. You applied to much paint and it is sealing the crack, thus pulling off the paint. They are rubbing on a surface. But I think you may just be a perfectionist, as something like a little paint off the round part of a hinge, should not be noticed from 50 or 75 feet away. Hinges have coatings on them, strip that coating off with paint remover, then clean the metal in paint thinner of the same type of paint you are using. Then apply light coats of paint and let it dry completely. Check that you have not clogged the cracks with paint, and cut with an exacto knife. The only other solution is to have the hinges professionally iodized the color you want, an that will be very costly. |
chill Veteran user colorado, usa 385 Posts |
How about using a pivot hinge top and bottom, moved in a little from the end of the door. this would cause the "tail" of the door to contact the side wall, closing the gap entirely. adjusting the length of the "tail", or position of pivot, to change the door angle.
bob
I spent most of my money on magic and women, the rest i just wasted
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flight10 New user 70 Posts |
Not sure why the images are no showing. I can see them. I have buried the hinge between 2 surfaces so it will not be seen at all. I wish you can see what I mean. I might contact the cafa to see what I am doing wrong. The Great Hegblini, you must be right as my wife says the same about me. I think by hideing the hinge it gets rid of the paint issue totally. Thanks for everyons input.
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ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
You might want to post the photos to a site such as Photobucket...
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I have to dig out my Murder Inc. and see how the handle the situtation. I also have the 1960 Popular Science Magic Magazine that shows their Dagger Head Chest. They cover the interior with stripped cloth, but have not noted the hinge arrangement, will have to look that up also.
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Hornblatz New user 6 Posts |
I built my own version of this for a special show. The box literally was just large enough for my wife's head and I created a type of pivot hinge on the edge of the m****** then I covered the back side of the m******* in a patterned fabric etc,etc,etc...
I looked at your images and I think what I briefly described above might work well for you. I'm a VERY detail oriented nut when it comes to the final look. When I finished this illusion however and stood back to take a look, it made me extremely happy with the effect. If you PM me I'd be glad to get some drawing out to you. Glenn
I LOVE magic & I love using my woodworking skills to build any type of illusion large or small.
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