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qenny New user Scotland - New Zealand - London 57 Posts |
I am experimenting with a new effect using an M5 (although I dare say it could just as readily be achieved with any similar piece of equipment). As part of the routine, I need to vanish a very small,non-metallic object from a spec's hand.
I've been trying to shim wooden matches (the paper kind are uncommon here in NZ, to my great chagrin - there are so many things that can be done with them!), but haven't been enjoying much success. So far, I've tried sticking a pin up the bottom of the match to create a space into which I can prod some shim material. Unfortunately, the match splits too easily. I've also tried scratching out a slit into which I can lodge the shim material. It goes in, but it's very, very obvious, and my efforts to camouflage it haven't met with much success to date. I was wondering if anyone can either direct me to an appropriate resource, or help me out with a few tips. Anticipatory thanks! Qenny
Qenny
Sleightly Twisted |
cardiac Loyal user Reading, U.K. 250 Posts |
You can get PK matches from various suppliers, I got mine from emagictricks.co.uk
A lot of money for a couple of matches, but worth it. I set alight to one and quickly blew it out (for obvious reasons) and planted it in an ashtray. All set (as long as a helpful barman doesn't empty it) for a very cool effect. By the way, are you a 'wrist' man or a 'knee' man? |
mrmysticmike Elite user Cleveland, Ohio 427 Posts |
Have you tried taking a very small drill bit and hand drilling the wooden match ? You can find these bits at most craft/hobby shops.
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owenscott Regular user 168 Posts |
I am a knee man as it looks funny to wear long sleeves in the summer.
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qenny New user Scotland - New Zealand - London 57 Posts |
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Much appreciated!
Cardiac, I'm usually a wrist man, and the effect that I want to perform with the match is definitely one that needs a wrist hook-up. I'm a bit reluctant to buy ready-shimmed ones, because I'm a classic, tight-fisted Scotsman That, and I did get a load of shim material when I bought my M5, so I might as well use it. I probably would order some, just for the convenience of it, if I lived a bit closer to a supplier, but I can't really justify the shipping costs. *sigh* That's one of the (few) down-sides to moving to New Zealand. I hadn't thought it possible to get a small enough drill bit, mymysticmike, but I'll have a look. It will have to be really, really tiny though! NZ is only just starting to head into summer now, so I have a month or so where long sleeves are an option before it starts to look odd. The really good weather starts in December.
Qenny
Sleightly Twisted |
Lee Davies Regular user Derby, England 136 Posts |
Quote:
I'm a bit reluctant to buy ready-shimmed ones, because I'm a classic, tight-fisted Scotsman As soon as I saw your avatar, I knew instantly your heritage was north of the wall I find pushing a pin in the bottom a couple of milimetes then snipping off the remainder works. Regards
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand... |
entity Inner circle Canada 5060 Posts |
Haven't tried this myself, but could iron filings be glued to the matchstick, perhaps painted or camouflaged to match the wood? Would this work with the effect that you are hoping to do? Just a notion.
- entity
email: tomebaxter@icloud.com
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johne Special user 960 Posts |
I believe paper matches work good for shimming...you can split the paper, and put in your shim piece then glue it back together. Just mimick ripping it from a matchbook. You can also shim cigarettes with small nails, simply by pushing the nail into the end...can be done while talking to the spectator. Just some more thoughts.
Best of luck. JohnE. |
braunmagic Veteran user 373 Posts |
Soak the matches in water before jamming a straight pen into the bottom as far as it will go then cut it off.
Soaking it in water is the real secret as it helps keep the match from splitting. Hope that helps, Brent Braun |
psychic Veteran user 337 Posts |
Braun that was a real good tip, I'll try that out myself. Thanx
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qenny New user Scotland - New Zealand - London 57 Posts |
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Great stuff. I think Brent Braun's tip of soaking the matches first it going to prove very helpful. Will report back when I've tried.
The effect that I have in mind is actually a transposition, and I need a small, non-metallic object that's sufficiently lightweight that the spectator won't notice when the M5 makes it disappear. This will happen as I reach for their other hand to put it over the one holding the match (or whatever other object it ends up being). I then get the match back from the M5, finger palm it, and put my hands in the same position as the spectator's. The presentation (which was my starting point for this effect) is around getting into someone's mind, being able to feel what they are feeling, and ultimately being able to "steal" part of their experience. I tried it out last night using a bent match (hid the shim very effectively, but trickier to handle) on my partner, and on a friend of ours. It went over very well, even though I didn't make a big thing of it. When the presentation is properly polished, this is going to be really powerful.
Qenny
Sleightly Twisted |
Roth Inner circle The 18 5090 Posts |
I know you said you are tight fisted but if you ever win the lottery you might look into finding a master ring or making one.
I wear one and it will pick up a magnetic quarter with no problem at all. Works really well with a shimmed dollar bill too.Just wave your bare hand over the bill and it moves all over the place. |
qenny New user Scotland - New Zealand - London 57 Posts |
That sounds great, Myster. I was tempted to buy one at a recent convention as part of the gear required for another effect. It has been on my mind for a while to invest in something like this.
I'm not really tight-fisted, I just like to pretend to live up to the Scottish stereotype from time to time :)
Qenny
Sleightly Twisted |
reasons14 Regular user 109 Posts |
I take a hammer and tap a sewing pin into a wooden match (very lightly). It takes a few tries but this way you have the entire match shimmed, making it better for vanishes.
Ben |
qenny New user Scotland - New Zealand - London 57 Posts |
Soaking the matches in water first has made all the difference. I was able to stick a pin in and create a whole into which I then shoved a piece of shim material. I think I might need a little touch of wood putty over the end just to be sure there's no flash from the tiny spec of metal that's still visible, and then I'm good to go.
Great stuff - thank you all very much. I guess this is what Magic Café is all about!
Qenny
Sleightly Twisted |
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