I am using my gravity flipper more now with material from Petty and Dill;

And my question is...

Do you just wait for the band to break during a performance , or is there a reasonable way to predict its impending demise?

TIA,

-Allen M.

Hello Al,
There is no sure-fire way to tell the exact moment the band will fail, however;

When your flipper becomes " too sloppy and floppy", the band is weakening.
And you can bet-because Murphy's Law says so- It will break during a performance.

Best to change it every 3 months or so.
Just my opinion.
Jim

When in doubt, change the band. You don't want it to break during a performance.

I agree with Jimmy. I can feel when the band starts to get sloppy, and it usually breaks soon thereafter.

Good advice here. I've always been concerned about my Flipper band as well.

Thanks,

A.J.

The gravity flippers should eliminate a lot of worries, as there is basically no tension on the band. As long as there are no sharp edges, the bands should break very seldom, and only at a time when the rubber has become so old it has lost it's elasticity.

OK,

Last night I changed the band for the 1st time on my gravity flipper. It had weakened to the point that it affected the opening of the flipper- that is the part that flips would rub on it's circumference. Clearly time to change.

-A

Anyone try the "double band" method on a flipper? I know it works wonders on a deeply-cut folding coin, but it may be too much tension (or there may not be enough room) with a flipper.

Got a story ... please share!

The bands last a long time. However, it is always best to change them at regular intervals. Remember that rubber bands do not have a long shelf life.

I have found that if I keep my unused bands in a zip lock bag and store in the refrigerator, the bands last longer than normal.

I use flipper coins every day. I only practice the routine before to make it and if the flipper works well I use it. I think that never a flipper coin broke during a routine.

Hey, does anyone know the best adhesive for re-attaching after you replace the band?

I use Scotch brand permanent adhesive double sided tape...

-A