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wakky New user 1 Post |
I have the flying carpet illusion for childrens parties...the kind with the crossing swords and oriental screen that sits on the platform. Mine rotates on a lazy susan. Using 10 lb fishing line and assistant behind the curtain to rotate by pulling line. Want to put a motor on this thing and control it remotely, thereby, eliminating the need for a second person to operate. People trip on line backstage, it gets tangled in lazy susan gears, assistant not consistant on speed of rotation, etc. What have others used to better control the rotation? I was thinking of some sort of motor on battery pack with remote control. Maybe a trip to Radio Shack will produce the answer. Thoughts?
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wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
I anwsered this question over on Magic Talk. Incase you didn't see it (because it didn't post it under you question, it just posted in the middle of the board for some reason) I have pasted the text below. If you saw it, then I'm sorry for repeating myself.
Actually I would do the exact opposite of put a motor on it, I would disable the turning feature. First off, if you use an audience volunteer they will look down as they are spinning (a human reaction) and they will see the gimick. Also, if yours is anything like mine, when it spins it makes that oh, so classic, lazy susan sound, which I think is not only unmagical but starts people on the path to the method. There is a lot of great stuff on the Flying carpet at http://www.themagiccafe.com Run a search there and see if it helps.
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts is a corporate magician available for your next trade show, hospitality suite, client luncheon, or company event. http://www.wizardofsorts.com
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glodmagic Special user USA 501 Posts |
I second that.
Wizard of sorts has it correct. The spin tips the effect. I don't consider myself a master of much but have performed the carpet literally thousands of times for about 30 years. Disable the spin. It can be done many ways but the easiest is to simply put a screw through the lazy susan to the board to hold it square and forward. Everyone has an opinion so your reply may be that "spinning works for you and that is the way you want to do it". I respect everyone's opinion on what they prefer so..... I have had to make a weighted platform spin before and used a contact roller motor from an electric bicycle. Think of the little headlight generators that you put on a bike that has a wheel that contacts the tire to generate the light power. This is similar but the opposite. It is a small motor with a little rubber wheel that can be mounted under the carpet to roll against the rotating platform. I bought mine from a discarded ebay electric bicycle. Powerful and ran off a 12volt battery.
Remember ANY of your posts here can be Googled by your customers and Clients. Just entering your name in Google can bring up your negative comments that stay for years!
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Glod,
Did the electric bicycle motor work? Did it spin the platform evenly and relatively quietly? Thanks. Can you supply a source or brand name and type of this motor? Thanks a lot. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Magic.J.Manuel Special user I have danced upon 663 Posts |
You may be able to use a round top "carpet" that can hide the works all the way around. Putting the motor so that it can take up the line instead of trying to mesh gears, but it will still require an electric cord to trip over or big batteries. Plus wireless actuation.
I agree that the optical illusion of floating is not enhanced unless it causes the person to "float" out past the base like Mark Wilson did the sword suspension. I would leave the person stable and work on a great hoop pass.
Nothing would get done at all, if man waited so long that no one could find fault with it.
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