Which one would you prefer: Owen spirit table or the Wellington (Wright)

And why?

thanks for helping making a decision,
Best,
P

Wellington is ok. I have one but I had to reduce one ply from the top so as to make it lighter. Also, it looks like an ordinary table and it already comes in a wooden case. I don't know bout the Owen version. Good Luck!

I LOVE the Losander version! MUCH MUCH more amazing and real looking than anything on the market today. Worth every penny! It is a delicate table, but looks heavy. Lots of time goes into the crafting of each table.

Question: do I have to wear a finger ring to perform them? (BTW I own a Losander table...)I mean the other two sorts of table.
Thanks,

P

The Owen table is very elegant and well made. You need a r--- to control it. The Wellington table which I have is very light and works well. The table looks like normal wood or veneer. The gimmick in the table is undetectable In the original instructions they tell you to use a r--- with their gimmick. However when I do it I don't have the gimmick in my hand or on a r---. It works better that way and allows you to levitate the table and move all your fingers showing no connection. I'll PM anyone who has the Wellington with my method. However you need to describe the table and gimmick to me so I know you own it.

Hello!

The only Floating Table I know of was David Copperfield's. A huge round, heavy table! We took it off the truck, and it weighs a LOT! A number of people surround the table as it rises off the floor...

I'm not going to go into detail about the routine or method, but I WOULD be curious as to the inventor of the principle involved, as it's quite old, and was used a long time ago in seance-type surroundings.

Any one know what I'm talking about?

Doug

Yes, but I would gess that you would need a couple of "Relatives" in the crowd to volunteer! That was probably one of the original methods, maybe pre-dating the table tipping era. I believe it was exposed in cartoon form in one of the Houdini bios. Can't give a name to the inventor, though.

Didn`t David Berglas perform a floating table like D.C did in one of his shows? (Check out the Berglas book)

Best,
P

There are many ways to perform the floating table if you are considering "stooges".

One method can of course be found in Jim Steinmeyer's "The Complete Jarrett" book.

It's a very nice effect if performed well.

David Berglas sold his version to Copperfield,I believe

Go to http://www.stevensmagic.com and search for Francisco's floating table (Hey, they gotta be good, I make 'em).

Low price, strong effect (we used for years in spook shows, and you can do it in a living room). Only requires any ungaffed, normal card table, the Francisco gimmicks (and one stooge).

Try it you will love it...

Thank you, Pete!

Wow, an affordable one! Amazing! That 150lb+ table of D.C.'s was very impressive, even watching it from off-stage.

Doug

As a matter of Interest D Copperfield purchased the rights of david Berglas to perhorm his routine that's why Berglas has not released it in the book.

Dougini

Seems you have experienced a lot with DC. How many years have you worked for him. To bad you still can't be on his crew. I take it no light weight can lift that....

Michael

Pete... is that the one where the cloth falls off the table?

I really like how that one reads, would love to see video of it.

I'm ignorant as to the make but Kevin James offers one that I have seen in a live show that is AWESOME! It exploits a Zombie styled operation system that is "impossible" (even to some very trained eyes)... I would highly recommend checking it out and Pete's as well, if it's the one I'm thinking of.

IT IS IMPORTANT if you are going to try to sell this routine as behing "ghost movement" that you do not perform a waltz with it... that ruins the table act like you can't believe. Keep it simple!

IF YOU ARE OUT FOR FUN AND FUNNY... go to Beverly, Mass. and catch "Le Grand David" Cesario presents the funniest darn floating table routine I've ever seen... it's truely beautiful and must be seen to be appreciated.

Yes, Michael...I did work the show as a local stagehand, three years in a row, when he came to Ft Myers. I remember my friend and I were wrestling that table off the truck, and he said DC was going to make it "float"...I said, "This I've GOT to see..."

"Wow!!"...that was my reaction...then, when DC made it crash to the floor, the whole stage vibrated...one HEAVY piece. I've known the method for years, but DC almost fooled me! If I hadn't been working directly with the crew I would NEVER have known!

I'm seriously considering the Losander Table. I'm already pretty fair at doing Zombie, so this is along the same idea, I take it?

Cheers!

Doug

Back to the original question in this post, I have had one and played with the other. I don't have a strong preference between the Owen and the Wellington, but give a slight edge to the Owen. It is sturdier in construction and much more stable "in flight". By sturdier in construction, I do not mean that the Wellington is not well made, it is beautiful. It also looks like an ungimmicked table, whereas the Owen is more "magical" in appearance. But the material the Wellington is made of is pretty delicate, whereas the Owen can be handled without as much caution and can even hold medium size props. Hope this helps!

Owens (or any company of genuine repute) can modify the look of their table to best suit you and your needs. Based on what you're saying, it sounds to me that the Owen is the direction to go for how you want to do the routine and for personal peace of mind when it comes to the prop's durability. I do know from experience that Owen believes in building most of their effects like a small battle ship... they are intended to endure. Then again, they know the kind of abuse most props go through when being trooped around the country or used in Amusement Parks by inexperienced "young adults". On that level, it's hard to say "No" to Owens.

Another course of action you may consider (though it would be a bit more expensive) is to check with John Gaughan, Bill Smith, etc. and see what kind of deal they have. I know they have alternate methods that would probably allow you a bit more freedom in handling the effect and presentation, of course.

If you're not dancing with the thing or could easily gain an accomplice or two... Steven's had a very cool set-up a year or two back, that allowed you to float any portable "Card" table... I think it sold for around $45.00 or something but it's a very cool arrangement when used properly... an actual reputation maker in fact.

Best of luck in your quest!

I own a Wellington I bought from Magic Auction and Beyond a couple of years ago. It's a great looking table, but is beginning to show severe wear at the leg joints. I had to have them repoxied. The best part is the ability to rotate it 360 degrees which really brings a look of amazement to my audience. I first tried doing it without music and was told by friends that you could hear contact being made when I first floated the table. Music solved the problem. Other than the legs, I really like it. Haven't seen the other models.

Wellington floating table is good. I have one and it looks like an ordinary table. It comes in a wooden case. I have no idea about the Owen version.

Sam