Hi!
I'd like to have a small banner on my close-up case with some text that falls of at a specific moment. It does not need to be exact but it has to be when I am not fiddling with the case itself.

How would I do something like this? Is there some kind of timed trigger I can use that will cut a string?

There are some very simple motors you can rig up to the unit to do it for you, either on a timer or a remote activator of some sort. These can all be found at electronics stores such as Radio Shack here in the U.S. and do not cost much money at all.

Does it have to be a string that makes it fall? Perhaps it could be a lever or an arm which is attached to a small motor. Perhaps you could even make use of a turnout motor unit (referring to what is commonly called a "switch motor" used in model railroading) and rig something from that. Perhaps you could make something that does not rely on electricity but rather on something like a spring or even a pin that is tripped with a hidden piece of thread.

Good luck and I hope this information is useful to you!

I went through that problem for years and tried pneumatic timers (photo equipment) music box motors, etc. and settled on just pulling a thread to do it with a pin that moved out.

Yes Pete, keep it simple and reliable!!

Pete said exactly what I was aiming for: Keep it simple! Less components and less parts is even less chances of anything failing on you.

I offered all the other ideas because I see you said it was on your close-up case. That can present some challenges but in any case (no pun intended), I would go with a pin and thread.

You can find the idea that Pete mentioned in his booklet on the Linking Rings, as well as in his masterwork of a book called The Real Secrets of the Chinese Linking Rings.

You know what, with guys like Biro and other top guys, who have been part of the magic community for decades, chiming in with priceless tid-bits of info this place really becomes a gold mine. It's like asking for advice on basketball or info on the moon, and having Michael Jordan or Neil Armstrong responding.

I asked a question the other day about something I am working on, and within 24 hours I had two individuals who've been on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show offering their knowledge. Unbelievable.

Yep, this is a great place.

Sometimes it is actually Magicians helping magicians. Nice to see.

Thank you all for great tips!!!

Have a great week:)