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dlcmagic Special user 887 Posts |
Has anyone ever tried making their own Giant McDonalds straw production? I know I can use colored tape for the stripes but what is the straw made of. The material is wider than just a shower curtain rod cover. Thank you for your help.
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bobn3 Special user Wichita, KS 718 Posts |
Two items from Stevens Magic might work, depending on the length you want:
4 foot http://www.stevensmagic.com/index.php?ma......_id=5575 8 foot http://www.stevensmagic.com/index.php?ma......_id=1238 Bob Phillips |
bobn3 Special user Wichita, KS 718 Posts |
I personally think it would be much easier getting one already made than making your own (and probably cheaper as well, not only factoring in material cost, but labor as well).
Bob Phillips |
dearwiseone Inner circle Portland, OR 1143 Posts |
David,
Actually some of the straws that were put out were made in the McDonald's design. In fact, I think you can still find them. They're already made, use the red and yellow, and are built to last! The straw is made of a similar plastic to that of shower curtain rods, but it's fabricated thicker, and made to be more flexible. You could build one, but unless you have easy access to the material, it's probably worth the $25 or so. As far as the McDonalds idea, I used to have a routine put together with a drink, the straw, a floating french fry, and a big mac box, but I had too many parents ask me to stop promoting McDonalds that I just don't do it anymore! |
Pizpor Elite user 476 Posts |
I've made a couple from those clear plastic tubes that are used for fluorescent light bulb covers that you can get at the hardware store (I think I got them at a home depot - can't remember). They're only a couple of bucks. Here's a source: http://www.1000bulbs.com/Tube-Guard-Sleeves/ You can get 4 foot and 8 foot lengths.
I'll just say it was 'ok.' It was a cheap prop for an effect I was playing with. The ones you buy just seem to be of better quality. So, make one and see if you like it, then upgrade to a quality item from a quality dealer. |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Wow, I sent him this info by PM, because I didn't want to discuss methods on the open forum.
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Pizpor Elite user 476 Posts |
Yeah, probably should have been over in "The Workshop" section.
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Mystical Matthew Elite user 468 Posts |
So seriously, none of you have had issues with the durability of these things? It used to be a regular part of my show and I've went through about a dozen of them in my lifetime...
Again, don't want to get too specific, but I've had the same problem with every product in this class. I'm meticulous about the care of my props... Even my most fragile stuff has lasted me years. I've just had terrible luck with the "McStraw's"... |
dlcmagic Special user 887 Posts |
The one I have is about 5 years old. Ends starting to split. I have read that the original version straws had the colored stripes in the plastic not just tape stripes stuck on. Do they still make that?
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Mystical Matthew Elite user 468 Posts |
5 years before the split ends? Wow... All of mine got the split ends faster than a super model fresh out of conditioner!
Seriously... After like three months of shows they'd be splitting already... |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I have only handled one of these, but I think it is best to not use the item until it gets to room temperature. If handled when cold, they are sure to break.
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donrodrigo Special user U.S.A. and Europe 635 Posts |
I second Bob opinion,and for 25.00 ,well.
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KeirRoyale Special user Denver, CO 550 Posts |
I have had mine for many years and it is finally falling apart but I feel I got my $30 worth and then some. The thing is that it started cracking very early on but I kept using it. Two things will keep in in usable shape much longer... 1. Put come clear packaging tape over the affected areas (usually within 12" of the ends) even before it starts cracking. 2. "Stop Drill" this is an aviation repair term. When it does develope a crack, you make a small hole with a drill in the directions the crack is leading to on both ends, then when the crack travels into the drilled hole the crack can go no further. In other words, go about a half inch in line with the crack and guess where the crack is headed and drill a small hole there.
And yes this is done on airplanes also but only for small fiberglass pieces of aerodynamic fittings that do not keep the plane from falling out of the sky should they come off. (had to post that so that this thread did not get hijacked over aviation concerns : )
DVD author of "The Master Prediction System Done Solo"
http://www.DenverMotivationalSpeaker.com http://www.DenverKidMagic.com http://www.LifeIsMagical.com http://www.WichitaComedyMagician.com |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
I get through loads of appearing poles due to 'split ends' and buy them in bathces for this reason. These poles come in a variety of qualities. Some don't form into a pole readily and tend to want come out as an appearing gutter rather than an appearing pole. Others have a problem with the covering staying on.
For these reasons when I find a good one I buy a bunch of them. Bext solution I've come up with for the split end problem is to cut off the end as soon as a crack or split starts to form. This means that the pole gradually gets smaller over time (insert your own jokes here) which lead me to the odd discovery that the 1st 5 feet of the pole is funnier than th rest of it. So while apparently size is everything, longer isn't always better. A relief for many I'm sure. Neal
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
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