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Magical Moments Veteran user 338 Posts |
So, it looks like Bazar de Magia and Tango are the two brand name Bill Tubes available and a couple of no name generic ones which I would stay away from unless you can handle it to see if it is any good. Based on their track record, I am thinking that the Bazar de Magia one should be a good one.
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Magical Moments Veteran user 338 Posts |
Last night, I remembered acquiring an older Bill Tube and dug it out. It has a lock, screw off cap, and plain flat bottom. It also has some deterioration on the outside of the tube which could lend to the patter such as it being found on the bottom of the sea where the Titanic was found.
The problem I am having with this interesting prop is that I cannot get that you know what to budge. I will keep trying to move it and get it into working order. I can tell it is an older model and very well made but time has not been kind to this particular Bill Tube. I will keep you posted... |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
I have a Viking I’ll sell ya.
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Magical Moments Veteran user 338 Posts |
I already own a Viking. This one was included in a lot of various magic I bought as a bonus.
I would be very happy with the Viking one if it was a bit larger. If you compare it to most other Bill Tubes, you will see that it is smaller and somewhat difficult to use. This old stubborn one is an excellent model with not only the lock but the screw on cap as well. Standard traditional size too which is important for fast handling. If I can get it up and working, it will be my go to Bill Tube. Years ago, I was known to use a Bill Tube quite often. Over the years, not so much so may be time to perform it again. It really is a wonderful classic brass prop! Anyway, thanks for the offer John C. By the way, it looks like Bazar de Magia discontinued their model. |
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
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Magical Moments Veteran user 338 Posts |
Well Doug, they do look nice in the photos. I own their standard one and the Double one and they both suffer from shrinkage. Unless one actually has experience with Bill Tubes, you may not realize the size problem.
I agree that they are nice and well made but just a tad too small for easy handling. Not sure why they were made that way but should have been a bit larger IMO. With Bill Tubes, size does matter...lol By the way, if I had to choose between a bit too small or too stiff to cooperate properly (if you know what I mean), I would go with the Viking one. It operates well which is very important. Those no name tubes out there may suffer from the stiff problem or possibly a you know what exposure making it useless. |
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Very good points. Tannen used to have a good one as well as Johnson..
Doug |
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FrankFindley Inner circle 1028 Posts |
Quote:
On May 9, 2021, Magical Moments wrote: Have you tried the ole pencil trick? Put an unsharpened pencil in it with eraser touching inside bottom. Then hold outside of tube and quickly drive the unsharpened pencil end against solid table. |
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Magical Moments Veteran user 338 Posts |
Quote:
On May 12, 2021, FrankFindley wrote: I did but no luck. Next, I am going to try something stronger and see what happens. This Bill Tube may be useless but I will try a bit more before giving up. Thanks Frank! |
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Magical Moments Veteran user 338 Posts |
Oh...by the way...that black plastic one from Royal Magic is actually a great inexpensive alternative! If they still make them like they used to, it will perform great.
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Keith Mitchell Special user 799 Posts |
My last post on Bill Tube was way back in 2007. I lost my $85 Tannen’s bill tube and very upset about it. My Viking bill tube I still have but when I shake it down the tube too easily reveals itself.
It appears that nobody really sells any of the good bill tubes anymore. It’s sad. |
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Magical Moments Veteran user 338 Posts |
I agree Keith that currently, really good Bill Tubes are scarce. I did a bit of research and found three Bill Tubes available at this time. A brass one from India, a black plastic one from Royal, and the Viking one.
Not sure if Tango still makes theirs but do not know how good it is. By the way, that stuck one I have is still stuck. Bummer! |
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magicinsight Inner circle 4293 Posts |
TCC Magic just came out with a new double bill tube called Wonder Tube. Here is the link:
https://tccmagic.com/products/wonder-tube-by-tcc-magic
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
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Magical Moments Veteran user 338 Posts |
There is a thread about it right here on the Café under Latest and Greatest.
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dj Inner circle 1178 Posts |
"Professional Bill Tube" by Franz Greb ( made in germany).
I bought this Bill Tube back in 2001. I don't know if it's still available today. The tube is closed at the top with a lid that has a very long thread. More than twenty full turns are required to remove the cap from the tube may. And that takes time. https://i.postimg.cc/L5XfZ5kv/20230726-194206.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/NMPFS4T7/20230726-194329.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/K8B6hZKs/20230726-194345.jpg |
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Magical Moments Veteran user 338 Posts |
I am counting 36 turns for the small tube in the TCC set.
Although 36 turns is a bit much, it works for me because I tend to lean towards a (hopefully) humorous approach to presentation and having your spectator remove this particular cap lends itself towards injecting humorous comments. While all of those turns are taking place, you can have some fun with the spectator doing all of those turns. Before this week is up, I am hoping to do a review of the new TCC set. I will say that based on a 1 to 10 range with 10 being the best rating, I am thinking a 7 or 8 at this time. |
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Magical Moments Veteran user 338 Posts |
So, here is a very brief review of the Wonder Tube set.
The only thing I really do not like about this set is the loud noise you can hear from the large tube. Other than that, the set is very nice! I find it to be somewhat frustrating that they did not recognize that loud noise and takes steps to eliminate it before its release. At this point, I intend to use everything included with the set except the large tube. Bummer! The lock included is sturdy and includes not the usual 2 but 3 keys and they are sturdier than the usual keys included with very small locks. I will use that lock with a Lippincott Box. In essence, replace the lock the box came with this better lock. So, there you have it. Difficult to assign a number rating for the Wonder Tube set but perhaps a 7 would be fair. |
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