Just purchased "a trick." Not going to say as it will give the gimmick away. Finding it hard to talk about this one, but I'm not allowed in the Secret Sessions area yet!

My point is, the elastics I am using seem to break way to easily. whilst practicing, after 4 attempts usually they snap. Do I need a new set of bands? Bigger ones?

Put two and two together. The forum we are in (show me money) and the thing I am on about.

Am I taking the whole secrecy thing too seriously?

Flec,
I think simply mentioning elastics for your coins will suffice. Folks who don't know what you're referring to probably can't help anyway, and folks who DO know what you're talking about will help if they can.
It sounds like one of to things. Either the elastics are inferior, or there's a sharp edge. I think I'd contact the dealer and explain what's happening. They will likely help in whatever way they can.
Cheers!

Actually, I think you should be congratulated for taking the secrecy thing as seriously as you do.

So, um... congratulations!

As to your query, it probably is a good idea to check with your dealer for specific advice. As a stopgap measure, you might try putting two bands on. I sometimes do that and have never had any problems with it.

Cheers,

Cy.

I would go for the sharp edge hypothese. Talk to your dealer before beginning to try to settle that yourself (you could damage the stuff, and then no dealer will agree to talk about that with you anymore...)
Jonathan.

Thanks a bunch guys.

cant see or feel any sharp edges, but know the elastics are quite old (a year or so in the bag, untouched).

think ill justb uy some new elastics and see what happens.

You can go to your local dealer or your local dentist for the correct bands. Since they "keep on breaking", you may have some old ones that had been stored for many years and eventually rubber looses its elasticity. If it is the f******* coin, two bands can help. If it is the fl****** coin, make sure you are using a sticky substance (thinly smeared blue tack or superglue weakened with fingernail polish remover -something that does not destroy plastic or rubber when you replace the bottom piece.

Both thems that flip and fold need non-brittle latex bands to 'play' properly. Can we use ~ for one and ... hmmm what's a nice symbol for flipper? I don't see a dolphin key here. Perhaps @ would work?

Okay, this might just be the place to ask this: Does it matter where you store the little things? Am I the only person keeping them in the refrigerator?

Shouldn't they be stored under the same conditions as "needle through balloon" balloons?

And what about a layer of talc, or cornstarch?

And the last time I took my kid to the orthodontist, she was allowed to pick which colors she wanted. They had both metallic silver and copper. Anyone ever try these? (I am not allowed to mention anything like this to my daughter's orthodontist, for fear of "embarrasing" her. You parents of teens know what I mean.)

Years ago there was a very small rubberband for this product. Then later, all the manufactures started to use the dental bands. These are only ment to be used once and replaced. I know that is not want you would like to hear but that is what the use life is expected.

The older bands did last, but band sales were down so they have all changed. It also make the coin work faster.

I keep them in the fridge too Curtis. Ziplock baggie, and on ice... that seems to keep them "fresh".

Unfortunately, my daughter's teeth are too straight, so I'm forced to purchase my @ and ~ bands from a dealer. I never heard the talc hypothesis, but wouldn't that tend to dry them out?

Oh yeah, BTW, Howard over at the Magicwarehouse.com sell good quality bands for something like a couple bucks for 50. In case other guys have kids with too straight teeth

Hmm... so when my elastic snapped as well its because of the band?

I always kept my stuff in the cupboard. Putting it in the refrigerator sound like a brillant idea.... though I prefer to keep all my magic stuff in one place. I mean like, what if someone comes and mistakes it for mini-calamari ??? LOL

Actually, after mine snapped, I haven't gotten down to replacing it, looks like a task to me as I haven't done it before.

Once again, thanks!

Nobody gonna go cryogenic... and offer original rubber bands from vintage dates?

That news of silver bands is most welcome. And the copper ones for copper clad gaffs ... wow!

Thanks

You could bring that concept to the home shopping network...

"... we only have a few of these left ladies and gentlemen, and they're going fast! The original rubberbands from Bob Swadling's cousin's half brother's flipper coin! Once they're gone, they're gone! We're blowing these out at $67.89... for on-line orders only!! Get it on stretch pay... Be dialin!"

Seriously though... they have copper and silver bands?? I need to find a source for those.

I did a search on the Net for rubberband suppliers, and you'd be surprised how many there are, and how cheaply rubberbands can be purchased, if you buy 10 boxes of 500 each at a time. It took less than 5 minutes to find a supplier that has silver colored bands. I found no copper colored options, but I did find red, which is close enough for me. Put in "rubberbands, custom sizes, colors" in any search engine and you'll be in business.

While not going mad and freezing my rubbers I would say avoid storage in a warm dry place. This will rot the band fast.
Never had one break in under 15 operations though. Mine seem to last ok.

Ps. thanks for the tip on dental bands in attractive colours

The coin in the bottle booklet shows how to take care of the problem on the cheap coins as long as you are using new bands and you follow those directions, the problem will go away. On more expensive coins this should be done for you. (If the maker is any good at all)On older coins clean the grooves with a tiny bit of acetone, phosporic acid or other harsh solvent(IF you know how to use these) in a well ventilated area. Use a flat square toothpick peice that fits the groove to clean out the old crud.

Do not touch the bands with your hands. Poke your fingers through plastc wrap and tear out "little skins" for the fingers that handle the bands.

If you do all this, you will hardly ever have broken bands. Do change them regularly when performing regularly with them, just to be safe.

A quick read of the Downs book and a trip your local glazier may offer you some other opportunities.

Lucky me...my brother is a Dentist!!!

Mike

Flec, you think you've got problems?

Check out:

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......3&11

I can sell UK people the bands (in pks of 100) as I bought a load, PM if interested.
Matt