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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
I had the wonderful idea of hiding two spring snakes inside my double-load dove pan. I cut down two plastic canisters to the right height and secured them inside the pan. I managed to load the snakes and lock the pan into the cover.
As soon as I set the cover onto the base, the snakes started to push the cover up! And by the time I got the cover off, the tension was gone and they didn't hardly spring. So, okay - one more way it won't work. Are there any quick and simple ways to create a "releaser" for these? I can image some Rube Goldberg contraption with a string going up to the cover that pulls a trigger at the proper height above the pan .... but something about that seems kinda tacky. Any suggestions? Ed |
Octarine Prince Regular user 111 Posts |
1. Double up on the thickness of the clips in the cover?
2. ????? *scratching head* |
EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
If you want to go technical, you can hook up a solenoid on a trigger, then go with either a concealed switch or remote control.
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Use real snakes?
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
The secret to a fast release is the mass of the cover. It can be as simple as two overlapping pieces of cotton twill tape secured to the side of the Snake can with gaffer's tape and held together with a straight pin going through both pieces of tape. There is a small loop of monofilimant secured to the pin which goes through one of the air holes in the top and is wrapped around the handle after the lid is in place. There should be just enough slack to open the lid and have it clear of the top before the mono engages and pulls the pin releasing the snakes on cue.
Ray Pierce
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-04-26 21:28, Ray Pierce wrote: Good idea. Kind of like a ripcord with a slight delay made possible by a small amount of slack in the monofilament.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
I had thought of something simliar. This is the first of two loads, with this first pan pre-loaded. In the confusion of the snakes going off, I set the lid down and load the second pan. I guess I would just have to make sure I can quick-release the strings so they're not dangling when I unveil the second load, which is only a silk that was previously vanished.
But that does sound like a better idea than anything I've come up with! Thanks!! Ed |
J.G. the magnificent Special user Griffith Indiana 886 Posts |
Don't know much of what has been said. However in my video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgzshiLzXU8 I end up with a spring snake under a cup. The secret is more or less obvious in the video. It you want the secret just I'm me.
Jeremy Gates
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
In Samuel Patrick Smith's 1990 book, "Big Laughs for Little People", he has a routine called "Snake Cake Bake", where he produces a spring snake from a dove pan. Check out that book if it's in your personal magic library, or buy a copy from him.
He doesn't use a snake can or pull cord. The snake is in there loose, but lying on it's side filling the whole load pan. It pops out when the lid comes off. BTW, if you follow the advice above to (permanently) put a snake can inside the load pan, you won't be able to put your second load pan into the first one, after you produce your first load. Think about it -- stuff will be in the way. So, you won't be able to do a double load unless you ditch the first load compartment after it's used. Then the second load pan will rattle quite loosely. The second one is meant to nest in the first one, which is meant to rest in the base. So, don't use a snake can in the pan. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-05-05 04:55, Donald Dunphy wrote: I guess I was assuming too much, because I was thinking the snake load would/could/should be in the second load. Combining that prescribed method with that of SPS, there could be a snake load in both reveals. There would just have to be a differet way to access the ripcord instead of up through the vent hole. It could still be done.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
From what I read, Ed wanted the first load produced to be the spring snake, and the second load produced to be a magic silk. He explains this in his second post. That creates different dynamics.
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Yup... my bad!
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
If the can is attached to the end of the snake (maybe decorated with rattle beads) so that it comes out along with the snake and seems to be a part of the snake, you could put a bunch of these self-contained snakes into the first load and after removing the snakes with their self-contained containers, the pan is empty to receive a second load.
You don't even need a container if you recall the production snakes that were held closed with straps that became part of the snake when it was "sprung." These were made 25 years ago or so... one of the few advantages of old age... remembering stuff. The releases can be simple pins on the ends of strings or monofilament lines attached to rings or pull tabs that can hang over the edge of the load pan.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
Years ago, I sold Bob McCallister some snake cans. I made up som that you could open, hand out some peanut brittle and close it. Then hand the can to spectator who then has snakes come out.
I used a cotter pin that went thru the can and held the snakes in place. When I handed the can out, a line pulled the pin which made the snakes loaded (released in the can). I think you could do that with the pan.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
After several months of working with this and trying different options, I am stumped! The two main stumbling blocks are: containing the snakes with multiple release points, and converting the upward pull of the pan cover to some motion that will release the snakes.
I have a little less than half an inch between the main pan and the first load pan (the snake pan), and about 3/8-inch between the first and second load pans. I'm using the lid to a plastic container secured in the bottom of the snake pan and a section of the container about 2" tall. I stuff the snake into the container section and put the lid on top. The lid has something going down through holes in the bottom of the pan to secure it. When the snake releases, the lid and container section go with the snake, leaving only the lids in the pan. I've tried different methods of securing the lid. Right now I've got two strips of felt. Since there's such a small lip on the part in the pan bottom, if there's any slack in the securing, the snake pushes out the side. This leads me to think I need three or four straps from the lid down to the pan. That brings up the problem of releasing multiple points at the same time. I did try a single line down through the snake to the underside of the pan, but it was very difficult to thread it down through while compressing the snake. I could figure out how to overcome that, I guess. It would give me only one release point. I had thought of running a line from the top of the lid down through the middle of the pan to some kind of release mechanism. But there must be a very light touch, or I'll wind up pulling the snake pan out of the main pan. (The snake pan is loaded into the lid prior to beginning the routine.) Or perhaps I need an electrical solenoid release; then the center pull from the lid only needs to close a switch. I never tried a single pin through the snake and container for two reasons: because the container portion isn't secured to the bottom of the pan, I'd need two pins; and I'd have to covert the upward pull into a lateral pull against the tension of the snake. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Or maybe this is just beyond my skills. Ed |
remote guy Special user Maryland 534 Posts |
I have a method for doing this. I will post a video in the near future.
Nick |
Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
Check David Ginn's site under Good Reads. He has a snake release system he explains. I don't know if this will work for you, but it might be a good way to go. Worth a look, anyway.
-Patrick |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Mr. Woolery, thank you for that! Unfortunately, I'm not real sure I can use that. But it's worth having in the arsenal!!
Cheers! Ed |
Ekuth Inner circle Floating above my 1538 Posts |
I like Pete Biro's suggestion...
"All you need is in Fitzkee."
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Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
I made a box that had a spring snake finale. I made a sliding panel with a mechanism you could access from the back of the box. I don't see any easy or practical way to apply my idea to a dove pan. LWish I could help. Let us know what you come up with and how it goes. Good luck!
Regan
Mister Mystery
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