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bojanbarisic Elite user Croatia 462 Posts |
I was working on an illusion in which mirrors have to move fast inside a wooden frame which spins and stops quickly. Since the force is rather big after 10 times one of the mirrors broke down. Size of the mirror was 204x8 cm. I have no experiance working with mirrors but as a sign maker use a lot of the mirror foils. For an illusion like this what material is used, is there a trick to protect mirror from breaking or masking would be better than mirror ?
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leapinglizards Inner circle 1263 Posts |
I would use acrylic mirror or, if you can get it, mirror finish stainless steel
Leaping Lizards!!! Who knew it was possible.
<BR> <BR>www.LeapingLizardsMagic.com |
Chris Stolz Inner circle Mississauga, Ontario 1958 Posts |
It also depends on the use of the mirror. If you are walking through it, then you can replace it with almost anything as you can merely change the presentation to justify it's use. If you are using it for something deceptive such as a 45 degree mirror principle, then acrylic and stainless are two very good options. If the effect allows, it may also be something that you can replace with black art.
It sounds however, like you have the mirror sliding downward and dropping into place. You may wish to consider padding the bottom interior of the frame to soften the "clunk" at the bottom. It might help reduce the stress on the glass. I would use a dense foam wrapped lightly in a leathery tape (like hockey tape)to prevent the foam from splitting. I hope this helps. Chris.
Chris Stolz
BLACK ART BOOK: Hiding In The Shadows. |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
If you must travel, the acrylic mirror is a better bet.
Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
Star_magic Regular user 109 Posts |
Last year, we were requested to magically produce a 300 kg. heavy statue, and we descided to use the 45 degress mirror principle in a vertical box. After 2 weeks of rehearsal, I think we could compete in the "who can get into Guiness Book of Records, by breaking most mirrors in an illusion reheasal" thing.... We broke 5 mirrors, these were made by regular mirrors, even though they were re-enforced on the backside, they are REALLY fragile. The last mirror broke 20 min. before the show began. When we were suggested to use acrylic mirrors, it was to late for our supplier to get it in time. I can only say one thing, use the acrylic mirror..... or compete with us in Guiness.....
Good luck, Anders |
bojanbarisic Elite user Croatia 462 Posts |
It is very hard to find acrylic mirror 2,04 m long in Europe. If anyone can sugest a company who can deliver it please let me know.
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Face Elite user 495 Posts |
Yes it`s hard to find a company, so it`s hard to suggest one also, so just ask from different company`s. I am sure you`ll find one
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Jazz Veteran user Mexico City 377 Posts |
Bojan, there is this company in Barcelona that specializes in producing mirrors made to order. Unfortunately the names escapes me, but it is very well known there and you should be able to get information very easily.
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magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
I second highly polished stainless steel. I use this in a few effects. It's a little heavy, but you don't have the worry of it breaking. Plus you don't get a second reflection as you would with regular mirrors. The dance studio we use for rehearsal is kitted out with huge acrylic mirrors, they're also easily scratched. If you still wanted to go with acrylic mirrors though, try a shop fitting company.
Mark
Mark Daniel
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Mark,
Back in the days of darkroom photography we had mirror plates for drying prints. It would seem that those would be "yard sale" items now at a bargain. Some were pretty large. I have rounded up the rubber tipped darkroom clips I can to use with silk tricks. (They don't pick or tear silk!) Use tooth paste on a soft cloth to get scratches out of acrylic mirrors. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
For what it's worth, I also once had a mirror silvered on the front to eliminate the second reflection. It was small and glass, so I'm not sure whether they can do this with a large acrylic mirror. There is more risk of damage to the coating, but it might work for you.
Amos McCormick
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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WolfgangWollet Loyal user 209 Posts |
There was a company called Cadillac Plastics in Ludwigsburg, Germany at one point that had oversized Acrylic Mirror. I am not sure if they are still there but you can try. I think they were a company owned by "general Electrics GE"
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magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
Bob
Good tip with the toothpaste. Its gonna take a lotta toothpaste though! I wonder who tries these ideas in the first place. The only other mirror I have come across that doesn't have the second reflection, apart from polished stainless, is the small mirrors fitted to theatre scanner lighting, and don't I know how delicate these are! I've gone through so many scanner mirrors over the past three years from just silly mistakes. Time to buy some moving heads I think... Mark
Mark Daniel
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Crispy Loyal user Louisville, KY 207 Posts |
The illusion I have that uses the mirror principle also uses a sheet of stainless so you don't get the "double replection. It is also not hinged at edge/corner so that when in place the mirror is nice and fluch with the side of the apparatus.
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