I made a close up pad once using billard felt, carpet pad, a nice picture frame, and a thin piece of plywood.
It was very nice but a pain to carry.
It's just not worth the time and hassel of making them.
I buy the nice ones that last so I can roll it up for ease in transporting.

Wow! This is really helpful. I might buy a big mouse pad.

I guess it comes down to how much time you have...It seems like you could spend a TON O' Time running around looking for that "perfect" material or just purchase a close-up pad.

With the price of gas, option two may be cheaper. ;->

Later,
Gambit242

I made my table with a removable top that consists of thin plywood covered with "batting" and black velvet. The top can be used as a "pad" if needed but I usually just use the entire table.

I just use my hands. I've never had a need for close-up pads, because I do more of a "Street Magic" type of show, which is very impromtu and takes place in midair, (supported by my hands of course).

I too have purchased the "super-sized" mouse pad from Staples. I have taken it around the block for a test drive and seems to work very well for me. Plus it fits inside my case which is a must for me.

Perhaps it is just a matter of individual taste. One person's trash is another person's treasure.

Peace,
phill

I'm gettin' me one of those mouse pads!

I've bought two pads via mail order and have been disapointed. Ant recomendations for a decent pad under $35?

Thanks!

Goodyear rubber sells the wet suit material. It's used to make vacuum table blankets in the printing trade. If my memory serves me good, I paid about $1 a square foot for it when I was in business. It should work very well for a close-up pad, clean easy, and last forever.

Make that guess about $3 a square foot for the blanket material.

Tom

I just bought one of the "super-size" mousepads at Staples. The price has gone up to $7.99, but still well worth it. Thanks for the tip Jay.

My close up pad is about 30 years. Alas, I guess it is time to replace it too.

Martin

The best material I've found is automobile headliner cloth. It's a velvet like finih on a foam rubber backing, a little softer than a Gibson pad.

I put a piece of quarter-inch plywood paneling and the headliner in a metal poster frame. The frame to use is a metal extruion, held together by stacks of L-shaped plates and set screws.

I found mine as a framed poster at a discout store, but thay are a garage sale staple. Remnants of headliner show up a fabric store realy cheap, and I suppose you could get some from an auto upholsterer.

Constantine: That's an excellent observation.
One thing I've always wondered, is what exactly are most of the close-up mats made out of. I've been hearing a lot of talk about people using mouse pads. My reaction, and experiance with them, is yes, they are shaped like close-up mats/pads, but certainly not a replacement for them.

I'm getting samples of nylon felt used for poker tables shipped in next week to test out, but the close-up mats I have been using are perfect and pretty soft. I'm using the large Bazar de Magia ones myself and they are great, although are lacking in grip on the bottom, so slight modifications are needed with them.