The other day I was practicing some card tricks on my webcam and I thought how useful a close-up pad would be to put on my little table here. So I went onto penguin magic and found that the things are like 12 bucks. I did a search and found that many people recommend the Apollo Pad, which is larger but also really expensive (like 30 bucks). So my question for all you helpful people is: Do you know of a cheap alternative to a close-up pad? I have heard that Staples sells a very large mouse-pad, but I'm not sure if this is appropriate for my needs. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks. Ryan

Do a quick search and you'll come up with several threads dealing with this topic. I remember one about the large mouse pads being used as a close-up pad but many said the surface was too slick.

Bill

I found one thread where someone mentioned mouse pads, but I could not find anything where people commented on how mouse pads worked as close-up pads.

If you want a real professional grade closeup pad and have a special size you need (besides the stock sizes) be sure and contact Pattrick at
pattrick@buckeye-express.com
he is the guy who makes the closeup pads that we use at the Tower... mine is a 1’ x 4’ mat for the bar... but he has some wonderful pads in nice colors...

doc

Go to http://www.magicshop.co.uk, they have a very good close-up pad.


luis

Unless you are an elitist, you can get pads free or at very low cost, (as in one dollar) Most any carpet store or outlet has samples of every description. Just about any surface, color and/or texture. The perfect size, too!
"Howie Diddit"

I'll second Doc Eason. Pattrick is a good friend of mine and he has by far the best pads. I've got three and have been using them religiously for over a year now.

-Christian

Hmm...good idea. I might take up that idea. No one knows about giant mouse pads though eh? lol.

Mouse pads work well, of course upside-down. The problem is the ex up-side, now down, slides... a good altenative can be a pasteboard covered with green or black or red velvet.

I'm still gonna attempt to use the giant mouse pad...it's worth a try.

Don Alan used to take billiard table green cloth and make a bag with foam rubber inside. He made and sold two sizes.

I found a jewelry supply outfit that sold nice semi-rigid pads for displaying jewelry that folded inward into two.

Dean Dill, and others, make custom pads.

You can also buy miniature oritental rugs in outlet stores that are interesting...

Another place where you can find some decent sized close-up pads with variety is ronjo.com. Although the larger ones are a bit more expensive. I have one of the large professional sized ones, and it is great, as well as a small one that I bought from penguin.

Low Phat

I purchased an Apollo pad from The Magic Warehouse about a month or so ago. It's fairly large, 16"x23" I believe, and it suits me well. I set it on my desk in front of a mirror and it works well as a little practice station.

For what it's worth, here's a response on this subject I posted last October.

Andrew


-----------------------------
Here's a way to make a mat for the price of admission to a magic convention.

Make sure you go to a convention that has a mentalist lecturing. Now wait until 25 minutes after his lecture has started - but make sure you wait outside. Very important, okay?

Now: insert cotton wool into your ears and sneak into the lecture hall. By this time the attendees will be fast asleep. Crawl between the rows and look for older attendees. If you're lucky you should be able to swipe a dozen or more toupees.

Now sneak back out again, being careful not to look at the lecturer - those guys are like the fabled Medusa of Greek mythology. So be careful. Might be an idea to wear a mentalist's blindfold - just look at the floor.

Now take the rugs to a craft store. Have the lady plait them into a nice card mat. Et voila! Okay so it'll be gingery but it will NEVER wear out!

Don't thank me, just send money.

'GD'

I don't understand, a $30 closeup pad too expensive?'
First of all this will service you for years to come.
Unlike carpets(!) a closeup pad is either black or comes in some other solid colors that will make you fill better about practicing and look somewhat more sane then guys with carpets.
on the mouse pads issue:
now my mouse pad is 8x10 and cost me around $10
how in the world you are going to get a giant mouse pad and save money on this deal plus the fact that it is too slippery?

I recommend Dean Dill's pads. They are beautiful and functional.

Are the Apollo pads the ones which don't crease when folded?

I agree with you. What is it with magicians wanting to find a free, inferior product when a quality mat is only a few bucks and will last years? My two main performing mats are over six years old...

Why are magicians such cheapskates...?

AW

Pffffff, read thru the threads and you'll see A LOT of people who are more interested in cheap magic props than good magic props, don't ask me why...

Yes, I know, it's bizarre. What a strange attitude!