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darylrogers Regular user Wisconsin 130 Posts |
I had an old set of Adams’ Chinese Sticks that had been in various basements, attics and garages over the last forty years. When I pulled them out they were warped pretty badly. I thought I could disassemble them, put the tubes in hot water to soften them then straighten them out again. After a half-dozen tries, not only were they more warped than when I started, they were also discolored. I spent the next month searching various hobby, home supply, and department stores for a similar sized tubing material, to no avail.
I started searching Chinese Sticks online to check out the various types to see if I could come up with a different approach. I saw various versions of plastic, wood, and even metal before I came across some made of bamboo, or at least faux bamboo. That made a lot of sense to me, because bamboo seemed like such a natural, obvious choice, even more culturally correct. I found a local home improvement store that sold five foot lengths of bamboo in their garden department. I picked out as straight and unblemished a piece as I could find, took it home and cleaned it up. I cut the stick at the beginning of each section, which turned out to be perfect lengths for sticks. I cleaned up two stick sections on the inside, drilled holes for the cord, and varnished them. I used the gimmick from the Adams sticks. I also used the same cord because I cannot find a replacement for it. I have been to a number of stores, and many have something similar but none have braided rattail cord of the same size. The red cord beads from the Adams sticks seemed too small so I found larger brown beads. I used the red beads on the bottom side of the stick. The Adams sticks had small tassels made with the same cord that is used for the string that hold the tassels. I put the tassel back together but it looked too small on the larger bamboo sticks. When looking at Chinese Sticks online I noticed the pompom stick trick that uses yarn in balls, so I decided to use some red yarn for the tassels. That makes the tassels more visible for the audience and adds more color to the trick as well. I sealed the open back end of the sticks with pieces of dowel rod. I just cut off short lengths, used wood glue to secure them, sanded them a little bit and put on a few coats of varnish. Here are a few images of the final products. |
BCS Inner circle 1083 Posts |
Daryl... Way cool, thanks for sharing the details of your project and photos. Its on my long list to someday make a set myself.
Take care, Bruce |
Michael J. Douglas Inner circle WV, USA 1645 Posts |
Nice!
Michael J.
�Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things.� --from Shakespeare�s �As You Like It� |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
GREAT!
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Jeff Dial Special user Kent, WA 533 Posts |
If you are still working on these double the length of the tassels. The optical illusion of the string being even longer than it is is enhanced. Something to do with our perception of no sting verses something coming out of the stick and going way down. (cf. Benson By Starlight by Levant)
"Think our brains must be too highly trained, Majikthise" HHGG
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Chance Wolf Inner circle 2425 Posts |
Great job Daryl! Looks like a little research and elbow grease paid off.
There is something very satisfying when you have completed a custom project of your own. Keep up the great work Chance
Creator of Wacky Wolf Productions & Fine Collectibles
A DECADE of building Magic and we're just getting started! http://www.wolfsmagic.com |
darylrogers Regular user Wisconsin 130 Posts |
Thanks for the nice comments, everyone.
Jeff, thanks for the tassel idea, I will definitely do that. |
Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
Beautiful job, Daryl! You may have a new career ahead of you.
Better look out Chance and Michael!
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
mrmetropolis Regular user who has only made 155 Posts |
Sweet idea, I saw similar bamboo sticks not to long ago. Now I'm suprised the idea didn't pop into my own head for this... then again, I wasn't searching for it.
"For those who believe, no explanation is necessary, for those who do not, none will suffice".-Joseph Dunninger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4wL5fX3xGQ
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-16 23:09, Mike Maturen wrote: I welcome any maker of quality magic. The more commonplace the good stuff, the more educated the market becomes, and the better for the builders of such things. It's never competition; it's loaves and fishes for all.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Rich Hill Regular user Nashville, Indiana USA 166 Posts |
Well said Michael! and very nice job on the sticks, Daryl!
Rich Hill
<BR>www.richhillsillusionshop.com |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
They look fantastic.
Just make sure longer tassels don't add too much weight.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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