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Josh Isenhardt New user 44 Posts |
I'm in the middle of building an illusion that calls for a table (approx. 36" square) that must split in the center and separate about 8". The pieces must remain in line with each other and the whole thing must remain rigid. It can not flex or sag. Lastly, it must be able to support a grown, although petite, woman and about 30 lbs of box while it splits.
I want the split to be smooth and the mechanism to last a long time without a lot of maintenance. Does anyone have any ideas? I welcome any responses as I'm just brain storming at the moment. I forgot to mention, the split is a suprise climax to the trick so the table can't look like it's made to split. Ok, now I welcome your input. |
Jeff Dial Special user Kent, WA 533 Posts |
Can't help you with an invisible split, but if you want the table to pull apart evenly and have the stregth you need try using a standard Dining Room table slide. Here is one of many from Van Dykes:
http://www.vandykes.com/product/02311790/
"Think our brains must be too highly trained, Majikthise" HHGG
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sleightly Elite user New Hampshire 500 Posts |
Jeff has the right idea... Now to disguise the seam try staggering the split by making two "L"-shaped sections (think L & upside down L) that offset the center and disguise with natural color demarkations
_ ___ ||_ |__ | |___ ||_| You could also have a stable table base and a trap built into the top that opens up like a hatch or a top where the center slides open (think two sliding lids on either side of a cigar box)... This last one would be most invisible. There are many possibilities... That will be $300.00 please... ;O} ajp |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Except for the fact that you want the table to seem like it isn't made to split (which means you can't have more than 4 legs total, or that telegraphs what is coming), you might have a look at how the table is made for the thin model sawing in half illusion. That design has 6 legs.
For your table to split into 2 totally seperate halves, you are going to need to find a way to link 2 tables into 1 unit. Or do I misunderstand what you are saying? If the separation means that the 2 halves are still actually linked in some way, then just look at the common kitchen table, with removable leafs. Those often have only one or two pedestal legs. - Donald.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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sleightly Elite user New Hampshire 500 Posts |
Alright, that drawing didn't come out anything like what it looked on my screen...
It sounds like the original post indicates that the woman should be able to stand on the table in its open state. What about having the table split and lower diagonally each way (think PacMan looking up or an inverted "V") and then the woman jumping up. This would allow for a simple clip under the table and perhaps a common support on the floor to keep the legs from spreading apart... The benefit of this method would allow for severe irregularity in the cut-away of the table surface, further disguising the fact that it will separate... Just send me $1.50... ajp |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
How about using Black Art to hide the supporting legs and any other mechanism?
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MichaelKent Special user 560 Posts |
As far as the legs go, yes it would be unnatural to have a table with more than 4 legs, but if you position the middle legs flush together on each side, it will help hide the split a little more. So instead of looking like it has 8 legs, it will look like 6, especially if the width of the middle legs are half width of the end legs so together they are the same width as the end legs when the the table is joined. Did that make sense?
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Josh Isenhardt New user 44 Posts |
Thanks everybody for the creative ideas.
Jeff Dial, thanks for the link, that method may very well work for my purposes. Sleightly, you have really got some creative ideas. The "L" idea may be particularly useful. The table must remain flat so the "v" thing is out. Starrpower, great idea about black art, but for this particular illusion it is out of the question. It will probably be performed in a variety of settings where lighting will be unflattering. I would definately prefer to stay with four legs if possible. If you guys have any more ideas I would be thrilled to hear them. Thanks so much. |
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