Does anyone know if there is a company making/selling/marketing loop balls these days? I do realize they are easy enough to make in order to suit personal tastes, but I ask out of morbid curiosity.

Yes, Frank Starsini makes them and sells them on his web site http://www.theambitiouscard.com/

I am on that site all the time - no clue how I could have missed it. Thanks William!

You can also check this model. I have one and it is very well made:

http://www.martinbreese.com/trickpages/billiardball.htm

Frank Starsini is the man for Loop Ball. Great quality.
He is able to customize loop balls based on your needs.
I have two special ones from him; they play and look great.

Who is that blonde lady in the video at the bottom doing the demo? She is GOOD! I had to watch it twice!

Doug

Being familiar with the mechanics of this, she did not fool me, but I quite agree - she was very good! I wonder if she is practiced in the use of a regular set of golf/billiard balls because after watching that video, I would be interested in seeing her do a routine with them, if only to enjoy her natural rhythm and flow.

Is there a good way to make a loop ball?
glue, drilling, etc?

I realize this is an old post, I'm grateful for any help I can get.

Thanks
Elias

www.eliascaress.com

It depends on the material the ball is made of. Wood - drill, soft rubber - tape, silicone - either reinforce the drilled hole or wrap completely around the ball.

I use a smooth styrofoam ball. I cover it with two balloons (for color and grip). I thread a needle with fairly strong fishing line (it holds shape better). I then push the needle into the ball where I want it.

The best way to do a dropper for this is a magnetic one. Before preparing the ball as mentioned above, I carve out a little notch and glue a magnet into the ball. This is easy to do because it is styrofoam. Then I can have a magnet on my pants under my jacket and the ball can just stick there.

Peter Pitchford, Thank you so much!

www.eliascaress.com

There is a description of making one in a 1901 publication by Ellis Stanyon titled "Conjuring for Amateurs"

The Handkerchief Vanislier. —

One of the best appliances for causing the disappearance of a handkerchief may be made from a small celluloid ball as follows : —Obtain
a ball 13/4in. in diameter, which will take three small silk handkerchiefs if desired, and cut a l in. hole in any part of its surface.
On the side of the ball opposite the opening fix a loop of flesh-coloured thread, long enough to pass easily over the thumb, and to suspend the ball on the back of the hand so that it does not hang too low.
When required for use the ball is taken up secretly under cover of the handkerchief, and the thumb of the left hand
is passed through the loop. Then, while appearing to roll up the handkerchief, it is worked through the opening into the ball, which is instantly pushed over to the
back of the left hand under cover of the right. The palms of the hands are now shown empty, when the handkerchief will seem to have vanished entirely.
When using the vanisher you will, of course, stand with your right side to the audience.
It is well to be provided with two or three of these accessories, in different sizes'.