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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
For the first time since I’ve been using my board, the eye mechanism was locked in the far left position, probably from settling during travel. It was stuck pretty tight. I finally got it loose, but the audience knew something was going on. So, during set-up for my second show, I made sure that everything was working smoothly. So… just a quick tip: Always check the mechanism before the show starts.
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curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-09-15 23:59, MichaelCGM wrote: That's a good point for any prop. How long have you had your magic drawing board? I've had mine for years and have been impressed and pleasantly surprised at how well it has held up. Axtell makes such good quality stuff.
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The White Wizard Regular user Australia, Queensland 148 Posts |
Michael - is the board a hands free?
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Try Visine!!!!
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Quote: This is the first year for mine. I broke it in on the summer library circuit. The response is fantastic. It really is nicely made.
On 2012-09-16 01:52, curtgunz wrote: How long have you had your magic drawing board? I've had mine for years and have been impressed and pleasantly surprised at how well it has held up. Axtell makes such good quality stuff. Quote: No. It’s the large, standard model. I have a briefcase act, so I didn’t want to add an easel to my luggage. Plus, my thinking (right now) is to stay a simple as possible (sans batteries, mechanics and pieces).
On 2012-09-16 03:18, The White Wizard wrote: Michael - is the board a hands free? Quote: Visine only works if you’re using a RED marker. On 2012-09-16 09:29, Howie Diddot wrote: Try Visine!!!! |
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The White Wizard Regular user Australia, Queensland 148 Posts |
Howie - hahahahah!
Michael - double hahahahahahahahah! |
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KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
Michael, just a thought - you might want to take it apart and see why it stuck in the first place - then fix it - then wait 'till it happens again. I am on my 3rd board. They all have stood up very well, I just use them a lot (and I am rough on my equipment too.). I have had it stick once in the past, and that was because the board was depressed (I tried to stuff too many things into my box.) and that made the device stick. It was no big deal to fix, and I just was more careful with it after that.
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Quote: Thanks, KC. But I'm pretty sure that it just resulted from the jostling it received enroute to a booking. I just wanted to give everyone a heads-up that it is a possibility. I don't want to take it apart unless that is the only option. For now, I'll just double-check the mechanism during set-up. I always carry it separate, since the rest of my show is in a briefcase. So no problem with being stuffed into a case. Thanks for the suggestion though.On 2012-09-17 21:41, KC Cameron wrote: Michael, just a thought - you might want to take it apart and see why it stuck in the first place - then fix it - then wait 'till it happens again. I am on my 3rd board. They all have stood up very well, I just use them a lot (and I am rough on my equipment too.). I have had it stick once in the past, and that was because the board was depressed (I tried to stuff too many things into my box.) and that made the device stick. It was no big deal to fix, and I just was more careful with it after that. |
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Magic Patrick Inner circle Minnesota 1591 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-09-17 21:41, KC Cameron wrote: Just draw a smiling face on it to help with the depression. Patrick |
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guyactor Veteran user 355 Posts |
Quote:
I have had it stick once in the past, and that was because the board was depressed. Yeah, saw that comin' a mile away..... I've done children's BDay parties and did balloon animals at the end. I quickly learned to have two of a few things, including balloon pumps. Quick way to either disappoint the kids or lose out on future bookings! If it's an integral part of your act, could you carry an extra board? |
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Quote: One could, but it would be costly and cumbersome. I have a briefcase act and travel as light as possible. Even the Drawing Board is more than I normally carry, but it's well worth it. I just have to remember to check it just before each show. Thanks for the suggestion though.On 2012-09-28 01:44, guyactor wrote:If it's an integral part of your act, could you carry an extra board? |
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MisterTall New user Portsmouth, UK 5 Posts |
I discovered that blu-tac cleans the board brilliantly. Or white-tac or green-tac!
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Did it again! I had a show about three hours from home. Got to the location, opened my trunk to check the mechanism, and "bam" locked tighter that Scrooge’s purse-strings. Thought I was going to break it while getting it to break free. Got it loose though. SO - I tried something on the way home (another three hour drive). I usually lay the board face-down, so that the mechanism doesn't hit anything. This time, I laid the board face-up, with the mechanism lying flat on the floor of my trunk. Unpacked the car this morning and the mechanism was working absolutely fine. No sticking, no problem! I'm going to travel with it that way for a while, then report back to you guys.
Side Note #1: It never dawned on me that the mechanism is recessed in the frame and would not be bothered by being transported that side down. So, I may have solved my problem. Side Note #2: I didn’t get to perform the Drawing Board yesterday. I bought a 3-Pack of retractable Expo, Low Oder markers. When I started the routine, the first marker was practically dry. I couldn’t get it to work more than a dribble. I picked up the second marker (always carry a spare). Same thing, almost dry – or, at least, not ready to work. Had to set the board aside and go into another effect. Lesson: I will never buy retractable markers again. I’ll stick with the old, capped versions. Came home and tossed them all in the trash. |
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
UPDATE: The problem with the eye mechanism remains, regardless of which side is up during transport. Over the last few shows this week, I tried something else that seems to be working. Instead of traveling with the mechanism all the way to one side, I've tried traveling with the eye mechanism at the center of its range. So far it's working. The mechanism moves very freely upon arrival at the venue. I'll try this again the rest of this week and see if it actually solved the problem, or if I've just been lucky.
Note: I performed the effect at a Summer Camp today. I got the strangest reaction. Of course, they hollered and pointed as the eyes started to move. But several kids in the back row started moving further away from me, as if they were scared. Their facial expressions matched their backing away. I think the little darlings were actually a little wary of what was happening. Very interesting. |
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MickNZ Special user Auckland, New Zealand 576 Posts |
I believe that when this happens you can send it back to Axtell and they'll refurbish it.
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
I was using the Sketch Pad by Sean Bogunia the other day. I lost one of the eyes. I quickly thought about using one eye. Make it a pirate with a patch over the other eye. You might want to try that too Michael until you get it fixed. The patch blocks seeing another eye because it will not come out. Draw a strap connecting to the patch on both sides.
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Thanks for the response guys, but I'm not planning to have it fixed. It works perfectly. It just locks tight when transporting from show to show. If transporting with the eyes at center of range of motion keeps it from locking up, then I'm good to go. I just thought that I'd post the update in case someone else runs into a similar problem.
That being said, I have noticed that the mouth will stick open if I push down to far on the mechanism. Is this a problem or just the way it's made? I've almost eliminated that issue by not opening the mouth to full distance. Has anyone else had this experience? |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
I had the prop years ago. I never had that problem before.
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jlibby Inner circle 1044 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-26 16:20, MichaelCGM wrote: It's probably the elastic, which acts as a spring, being overstretched a little. Make sure you're holding the board kind of lightly; make sure you aren't pressing it against your body or that your hand isn't gripping to tightly. That'll help the mechanics from being constricted. Hope that helps! Joe Libby San Antonio, TX Brief video review of Joe Libby: http://youtu.be/Qr-HRcprqng
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Quote: Thanks, Joe. I'll keep that in mind and see if it makes a difference. It IS possible that I'm pressing it against my body. I'll check that possibility out tomorrow. Thanks again. On 2013-06-26 23:59, jlibby wrote: |
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