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DaveVegas New user Leicester,England 89 Posts |
I was intrigued by the opinion(s) in the
'good, bad and indifferent' area, that one should not use a close up pad/table when table hopping... I have to say I'm just about to make my own small, portable table. Many times I've done table hopping stuff at balls and diners and it would have expanded the possiblities no end. I've also found there's usually very little, in fact generally no table space available. Okay, visual, stand up stuff is great, but I'm of the opinion that if you have a small, unobtrusive surface to work on it can open up your act no end.... opinions..??? |
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Geoff Williams Special user St. Pete Beach, FL 617 Posts |
Party strolling: I'll take a table (which folds nicely into briefcase-size when not needed) and use it if things aren't too crowded.
Table-hopping: I work in the hands almost entirely unless there is CLEAN table surface available. I'll forgo using my own table entirely. This is mostly because there is usually so little room between the tables. Folks should not have to wait for me to move my table just to pass by.
"Saját légpárnás tele van angolnák."
(Hungarian for "My hovercraft is full of eels") |
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
I built a very small,highly portable and fairly stable table as a side table. It ended up being a general-purpose table and has been pressed into service in situations you described.
The table was simplicity itself. Top was a piece of ¼ inch thick plywood cut 9 inches x 12 inches. A second piece of ½ thick particleboard was cut to the same dimensions to act as a base. Particleboard is dense and fairly heavy compared to a piece of plywood of the same dimensions. The stand was a simple 30-inch long by one inch in diameter wooden dowel. I painted the dowel and the boards flat black as a primer. Then I painted the dowel a glossy black. It looks nice. A slit was cut across the top and bottom width o the dowel. This is so the dowel may compress a little. I drilled a one-inch hole in the center of both the top and bottom boards. The dowel fits tightly into the holes. When assembled it is fairly stable given the weight of the bottom board (base). The top was covered first with a close up pad cut to fit. The edges were trimmed with red rope. There are four squares of female Velcro on the bottom side of the top. There are matching squares of Velcro on the base. When disassembled, the base and top are stuck together A small bungee around them holds the dowel in place. This whole thing weighs very little and is easy to carry. I can lean my weight right over the center, but not on the edges of the top. I do a chop cup routine on the center of the top, and can ribbon spread cards across it. It works nicely for my stand-up Benson Bowl routine (based largely on Patrick Pages routine). Coins through table, matrix, three card Monte, and my wallet for card-to-wallet all work nicely on the top. It is very unobtrusive. I also have a top that is a simple circle of wood measuring about 8 inches in diameter, black felt glued right to the wood for when I need a small side table (the base in this case is also a circle of wood). It holds a hip-flask Lotta and shot glass in one stand –up routine I perform. It is a very flexible idea.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
I have a bracket which I designed and my brother-in-law built. It is attached to the bottom of an antique silverware case, which I have gutted and customized to hold my entire table-hopping act.
The bracket is adjustable for almost any table's depth. I have a close up pad attached to the top of the case. I can attch the case to the table, and it only takes a 1-inch strip along the edge at the center of one end of the table--no one has their glasses or tableware that close to the edge, so I don't have to ask anyone to move anything. In addition, the pad on top of the case raises the performing surface about three inches, making things done on the pad easily visible to everyone at the table. And because the case is under that surface, I can have at my disposal Cups and Balls and other items that I wouldn't be able to comfortably carry in my pockets. It is also clear that this is the "stage" so I have a lot less trouble from "grabbers." Finally, I stand in exactly the same spot as I would if I weren't using the table, so that isn't an issue. It boils down to the fact that I have the best of both worlds: I can do in the hands stuff like my rope routine and linking rings, but still do stuff like a Matrix and Cups and Balls, without inconveniencing the patrons. And the bracket doubles as a carrying handle! This is something I may market in the future if I feel the demand would warrant it.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
If you want to try something interesting make a working surface like the ol' monte tossers used to make. The board goes around your neck, the straps attached to the front of the board. The back of the board has a hook that goes onto the belt.
If you look at Whit Haydens Notes On The Three Card Monte, he has a photo of Chef Anton with one on. I will say one thing, when changing from in the hands to a table top, practice your routines on the table. I did this and found that I was very rusty on my table shuffles, being used to doing all in the hands. Steve V |
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Andy Charlton Veteran user Palma Nova Mallorca Spain 311 Posts |
Hiya.
I find that in a lot of circumstances, even if there is table space, that sight lines are very poor, someone is always trying to see through a wine bottle etc. For that reason most of my routines are done in the hands. Where the situation permits, I do use the table, but don't use a close up pad. I tried it, but I found that it slowed things down, made my positioning less flexible, and made it slower if food came and I had to get out of the way. Going to an unknown gig, I always have with me a table that I adapted from a Kids 4 drawer bedroom cabinet. I have a close-up pad velcroed onto the top, laminated posters on the front, and my stand up props inside. This means that if it turns out to be a stand up/parlour situation, I am ready, just my thoughts Andy
"Keep that smile on your face, that excitement in your eyes." - Don Driver
Check out www.andyandjeansbigadventure.com or www.andysmagic.com |
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DaveVegas New user Leicester,England 89 Posts |
Interesting ideas! I shall start to make a table this week!
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Mr. Ed Veteran user California 337 Posts |
I just finished building something similar to Scotts case. Except this one rolls up to fit in your pocket, unrolls and clamps to the table to give a 12 x 16 in space. No drawer, that's a great idea. It's a little bulky now, but I'm working on it. I was gonna post here and see if people would think it was ok to use such a device.
He who laughs, lasts.
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Whatever works well for you without inconveniencing the guests or staff is perfectly acceptable!
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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brainman Special user 970 Posts |
Tommy Wonder has some nice ideas on this theme, (Books of Wonder), I prefer to pre-visit the place where I will perform (size of tables, groups, dinner-specifities,...
I am prepared for everything (larger mat, small mat, folding table or sometimes to become more intimate: I work on the floor (beautiful carpets - good possibilities to hide things around (e.g M. Ammars shadow coins I perform on the floor) ...I did this also in the casino... they like that.. it is something special.. BUT uncommon!!! Different Situations - different setups!! |
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Mark the Balloon Guy New user Tampa Bay Florida 27 Posts |
I made a 14 inch diameter half round tablette. It is on plywood with headliner material for the top with a rolled edge on the flat back half. Nagahide is on the back. The round edge has a finnished piece of molding that gives it a ledge to keep cards on the tablette. Brass corners and brass screws and gromlets compliment the design.
The beauty of this design is it is highly portable. fits in the small of my back through the suspenders. It also just rests on the corner of a table, where I usually stand. It increases the table room by 60% and also keeps your cards dry. Yeah, I thought of a clamp but I find it unneccesary.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark theBalloon Guy "Bad to theBalloon" |
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
quote:
fits in the small of my back through the suspenders. Is this a joke? or are suspenders something diferent over in the US. over here suspenders are what women use to hold their stockings up! phillip |
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SloMo150 Regular user Speedway, Indiana 121 Posts |
In the U.S. suspenders are used to hold up pants. We call what you are refering to as garter belts. Hope this helps.
Hey wanna see me pull a rabbit from my hat, (lion appears). I gotta get a new Hat.
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
I think for large company banquets and restaurant work, tables block aisles and spaces, waitresses need to get past. I have never used one. Though I have seen someone use one at a reception walk around and it seemed to go okay, he then dragged it into the banquet area..
But sometimes even receptions can be jam packed and a table would be inappropriate. Private parties? H**l, I even get down and work off the carpet sometimes, when people are sat around, best close up mat there is, lol. Anytime, any place, anywhere. Go with the flow. Paul Hallas http://www.PH-Marketing-magic.co.uk |
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jcorb New user 34 Posts |
Scott when you market that table hopper box let me know. tks.
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Munskin Loyal user Cheshire, UK 297 Posts |
I must admit, the idea of carrying round a small table seemed an awful lot of effort to me..before I read this thread. I can see the applications to join a carpentry course being filled in now...
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-03-14 13:53, p.b.jones wrote: I believe on your side of the pond they are called braces. Straps used to hold up one's trousers. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-03-14 13:53, p.b.jones wrote: Ah, the intricacies of inter-continental communication. I read about one English couple visiting a ski resort in the US. They asked the hotel desk clerk where the lift was, and he directed them to go three blocks down on the left. Another lady, observing the difference in language, informed the desk clerk that the couple most probably was looking for the elevator -- not the ski lift. Scott
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
quote:
I believe on your side of the pond they are called braces. Straps used to hold up one's trousers. OK Got you, Braces are not worn much over here, only by old men. phillip |
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Suspenders (or braces) are often worn in the states with a suit or tuxedo, regadless of the age of the wearer. It has also been fashionable (it kind of comes in and out) to wear them without the coat, as kind of a "dressy" touch to dress slacks and shirt.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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