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Christopher Moro Special user 793 Posts |
Hi all,
I stumbled onto this website of tables built by a magician named, Peter Wood: http://promagictables.com/ Anyone have any experience with these tables? I've corresponded with Peter, inquiring about them and he was very helpful. |
dman11 Inner circle USA 1067 Posts |
I don't know, seems expensive.....$170 plus shipping for a $25 tripod stand that screws into a $30 Harbor freight toolbox ?
http://www.harborfreight.com/tool-storag......318.html |
StevieDee Regular user Salt Lake City area 154 Posts |
Agreed.
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dman11 Inner circle USA 1067 Posts |
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Christopher Moro Special user 793 Posts |
The cases are definitely the ones from Harbor Frieght, of which I already own a few. The Tripod was interesting to me, as was the plastic table top.
As for the other link, good to see Happie Amp coming up with another product, but that new table is unfortunately not so easy on my eyes. |
charliemartin Special user Rapid City, SD 779 Posts |
It's on my Christmas Wish List.
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BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 13, 2014, dman11 wrote: If that's all you think it is, build it yourself. Should be no problem! Peter builds a lot of stuff for me. I travel 200+ days a year, with regular flying and my stuff getting thrown around by baggage handlers. His work holds up to the rigors of touring and air travel, and for that alone he gets my highest recommendation. Plus it looks sleek and professional. What more could you want? |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
It is no problem, as I have made a number of briefcase tables in my time. Anyone can go buy items already made and assemble them. The worst thing, is the this guy does not even make a tapped flange so it is flat against the bottom.
Briefcase tables are the worst performance tables, in my opinion. Opening and shutting the lid constantly for items. Trying to juggle things as you try to put them back in for the next item. Of course this has more to do with, using multiple props for one trick, as I always combine items to make a full magic routine. So, if it had a metal plate with a threaded hole attached to the inside of the case, and a plug when the tripod is not attached, it would be more worth the price. As it, it is a DIY project that anyone can make in an hour. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
I don't have any problems with opening and closing the lid. I open the lid when I open the show, and close the lid when I close the show!
I planned it that way, when I framed the show! However, I can fully understand how opening and closing the lid, could create a problem! I had to be "ruthless" in selecting the routines for the school show! If the trick or routine did not conform to my criteria, I could not use it. I had to "leave out" some darn good tricks, but, "that's show biz"!!! Bill and I definitely agree! If the case has a flange to fasten to a "standard" base, the case MUST have a recessed flange. --believe me! if I can do it, anybody can!!! Now, I use a waiter's tray stand, so the case just "sits" on the top. I use that rubber matting on the metal of the tray stand, so the case doesn't slide around.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Hi Dick, being I use tricks like the Vanishing Candle to silk, and Ching Soo Fire Cracker, I have to use a flat surface. Being I usually don't have to run from show date to show date, and if I do, I have plenty of time between shows to set up. That is the difference in BFS and working for someone. LOL
Whenever I have seen magicians give lectures like Pat Page and others that bring a small case, it really looks bad to me when they start moving things around while holding the lid of the case open. Just my viewpoint on working out of case with a lid. I like Roy Johnson's idea he published in his 2nd book and lecture. He originally used a LP record case, then later used a Salesman Case / Pilot case, both he placed on a chair. I have a folding chair from about 30 years ago that folds into a perfect stack on itself. The company is long gone, but some can be found in vintage shops. The thing that is not very useful in the original post example, is it does not look like that case will hold any props, just the legs, so what have you accomplished with a briefcase table, you still have to carry an extra bag of tricks. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Yup! I agree!
(What is "BFS" ?????) Jay Marshall, when he was in vaudeville, had all his props on his person!(stagehands "loved" him!) When he started doing "casual club dates, he bought a small "salesmaan's sample case" (13" x 20" x 8"--like a "fat" attache case. He told me that it was (at that time) the largest "carry on" that would fit under an airplane seat! He just placed the case on a chair (borrowed locally) and it fit his needs. In the Ireland 1944 "YEARBOOK", Frances (Ireland, then) wrote a "piece" about working out of a suitcase. She and Laurie Ireland would work club dates, and schools in the Chicago area. They travelled by BUS, or suburban TRAIN! They had to pack light! The show was in one small suitcae, and "wardrobe" was in another. I found a copy of the "1944" a couple of years later, and decided to try that. BUT! I was 16 and doing arm chopper, square circle, milk pitcher, and other stuff. A year or two later, I had shelved most of that stuff, and concentrated on generic props: silks, rope, cards, balls, etc. I did the vanishing candle back then. It's a strong trick! But schools are concerned about fire. (In Chicago, you cannot even light a match! (School fires have caused deaths!) I still have the original "Atomic Van. Candle, and Ireland's Match to Flower! I have a "candle tube" which is similar to the FireCracker. Sid Lorraind had a "cute" bit with the candle tube. (No silk) He would tell them that when you put the lit candle into the tube, and capped it, the flame would go out. Sid would say: "Scientist say that the flame goes out due to the lack of oxygen. But, I say, that it's due to the presence of WATER!" Sid would uncap the tube and pour out water.! Some day, I'll try that! Both the van. candle, and the firecracker are GOOD tricks. They just didn't fit MY criteria for a touring show, that had to have tricks with little--or no--set up, and fast and easy packing. Bill Morton, J. B. Bobo, Roy Mayer,Roy Shrimplin, Loring Campbell,Harold Sterling, et al., had wives to help set and pack! I talk about them in the book. Before I bought the "Jay Marshall" case! I had used many different cases. (mostly from yard sales,and thrift shops.)The "JAY" has been the best! *Though not the cheapest! Your note about the OP's "Peter Wood" case is "right on". It's really just a "self contained" table. A separate prop case is needed. Back to Jay's case: I bought a "matching" case, and re blocked my program. (anything to make trouping more efficient due to the demands of school show touring)! I do close the lid when I do the Mutilated Parasol! I need "someplace" to put the parasol in its rolled up "scroll", while I show the "marble bag" with the silks. I still own a half dozen "STAR" (Stan Payne) aluminum tables. I only need two, but bought the others as spares. I used the STAR tables when I did an evening family show, or on fund raising (phone promo) dates. One was for Disecto, and the other for the Merv Taylor Tambourine. I also have three "KELLAR" base tables, and one P&L. When I finally retired (for the second time) in "08", I had been using a waiter's tray stand for about 20 years. It has wheels! I can put the prop case on it, and wheel it across the gym floor. (About 80% of school shows are in gyms or Caféterias._ The "COOK HOUSE 'FLAG' IS UP" --I'm going to have lunch. Yr's, 'til the square circle is empty! O
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Engine Regular user 123 Posts |
This is why I prefer the Creative magic table bag - with two mods: 1.) They mistakenly (IMHO) left the sides open. Meaning in the original design there was a zipper that went all the way around so nothing could fall out. That's easily solved by putting the whole thing in a big that closes. and 2.) the inner 'boxes' (search youtube for a video about the table bag) are somewhat sturdy but in a show I want it to be rock solid. Fortunately the box lining is made to be opened - you can replace the material inside for something beefier (and add a little weight) or ditch it altogether and use one of these: http://amzn.com/B003GEJ5PI which are also awesome side tables..
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