[quote]On 2001-11-12 10:55, J R Thomas wrote:
There is defintely a knack or art to splitting cards. Don England has a tape on how to do it and make gaffs. It's from a lecture he gave at Abbott's back in the nineties. E-mail me if you would like to get in contact with him.

Private message Marty Kaplan, he is doing lots of cool things with cards gaffs using a computer.
Marty, is a regular Cafe attendee.
Rolando

I've just been having loads of problems for the last hour trying to split a few cards and get them as thin as possible.

I've just come up with a new method (for me anyway) to split cards, and its so easy.

Anyway heres what you do....

Get a sharp craft knife and score the card from one corner to the other.

Then simply bend the card, and use your nail to simply peel away one half, then the other.

You might wreck a few cards to begin with by cutting to far, but you card do it in about 30 sec and get them as thin as possible.

Gavin

Just to add, anyone who is having trouble with splitting cards, please used the above method, it really is so easy.

I've just done about 30 cards in the last hour, you do destroy one side of the card when doing it, but they allways split a thin as is possible with a perfectly smooth finish.

Gavin

Someone mentioned silk screening feke cards.
This would be okay for all but the picture cards where multiple screens would probably be needed, adding a bit to the cost.
I used a Print Gocco screen system for printing some cards several years ago and the cards were used by a table worker for a couple of years. They had a caricature on them, not card pips. That system is less messy and quicker than a regular silk screen set-up but has other limitations.

Hello,

I have been splitting cards, and making gaffs for a few years now, and am definitely getting the knack of it. I DO have the time, and would help you out for a very reasonable price. (not 20 bucks or anything!) Just email me at magictrickss@netscape.net
so I know you need my help, and tell me what you need and what you think is a good price for you.

Magician,

Corey

hello;
I have been splitting cards for well over 40 years now and while I'm getting up in age, I still enjoy making up things, especially cards. It does take a knack to get it, but once you do, you can do it forever. The really tricky part is getting everything to line up when you reconstruct the gimmicks. I still tinker with it and would be willing to make up a few cards for you if you just send me a couple of the cards you need split and a couple stamps for return postage, how is that? I make up my own cards now for the old tricks that I remember, but at my age, I forget the handlings, oh well, that is the price we pay for getting old I guess. I enjoy this group, all of you seem helpful and dedicated, I will keep in touch now that my Grandchildren have given me a computer and I am learning that it does more than type.
keep up the good work guys.

Hey,
I've been a student of Don England for several years and have studied extensively on how to split and construct gaffs. if there is anything in particular I can answer for you on how it's done, let me know and I'd be glad to help.... or you could go straight to "the man" and I am sure he'd be of great help to you.

Thank you everyone for the advice and offers.
That's what I love about this forum, friendly, helpful people.

Jeff

wow jeff, thanks for posting this, I think this has helped me more than you, I had heard about card splitting before!