Thanks man, that's wat I'm talking about

Well, that settles it, then!

Amos McCormick

Well, I bent the rule for no knots in the wood. I liked the idea for my sub trunk to look like an old crate so I purposely found the "best knotted wood" with not too many but enough to give a rustic look.

Magictim , a sub trunk is an exception for wanting s prop to look rough. Its only supposed to be a wooden crate in the eyes of the spectator and should maintain that character. However the most others you don't want lower grade materilals because of the knots and imperfections in the wood. And I don't care how much wood filler, or sanding you do you cant make lower grade materials have smooth appearance and look as good as Baltic Birch or one of the other high grade hardwood ply's have.
Sheith if you have a 40 minute illusion show and none of the props cost over $100 to build I would love to see actuall pictures of these masterpieces as you cant even build a decent durable crate for one where I live for anywhere near that price.

I needed to pull a fast stage illusion while in high school, and I opted for a sub trunk bag type routing, wood working was going to take too long and there was rehersal time as well. So we opted for a cardboard box set up, with the drape/curtain to the side, not on top of the box. Part of our effect included the idea that the box never stopped shaking and bumping the entire time. We made the large fabric bags and ties (like a giant pillowcase) and the curtain on a stick-we basically waved the curtain over the box, then brought it back to the side covering the magi for the barest moment. The box just kept moving until the reveal. Think basics, and consider Gen Grants Victory carton illusions-cardboard boxes!

The Sub Trunk can look like a Crate or even a Actual Trunk. Don,

Clubber89 -

Don't forget that Paul Osborne also has a book called "Easy Build Illusions." For more information on what is in it, peek at the description of the book on his website.

Osborne Illusion Systems Website

Perhaps that book might be of more help in building your first illusion.

- Donald.

I think I'm just going to stick with my two books for now. My dad says that once I build 2 illusions, he will buy me books 2 & 3. And this weekend I'm going to build the vampire with my own twist.