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Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
I bought a used Flying Carpet the other day. Not sure of the builder, but the folding screen graphic is a red, green and yellow vase with glitter on a blue background. When I set it up for the side placement of the screen, I found that the carpet is not situated in the center of the base. It is off about 1-2 inches because of where the holes are drilled. Do any of you owners have the same issue? I like symmetry, and to be off like this drives me a bit batty! I realize I can drill new holes, but I am wondering if the fact that they will be so close to the previously drilled ones, will the integrity of the base will be compromised? If you had the same issue, please share with me what you did, if anything.
Thanks, Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Did you get the instructions with the illusion? Are you placing the bottom plate on top of wheeled base. It goes on the bottom. The carpet just lays on the base concealing the bolt heads. Thus, the gimmick will not get in the way of carpet.
Hope this is clearly stated. I had an early Grant version, it sounds like that is what you have. Mine did not swivel, that was a later addition. |
Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
No instructions came with it, but yes, plate is bolted to bottom of base. The illusion "works" ok, it is just that the carpet (seat) is not centered above the base. When viewing from the front, and when the screen is centered for the seat/carpet top, it is not centered on the base. This is because the holes are not drilled in the correct spot for the gimmick to be angled and allow the seat/carpet top to be centered when fully assembled. If I would draw a straight line down from right edge of seat (front view) there is a 1.5" distance to the right edge of base. If I draw a straight line down from left edge of seat to left edge of base, there is a 3" distance to left edge of base. So the center of the seat/carpet top does not line up with the center of the base. I hope this makes sense. I'm wondering if all the models are like this?
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Sounds like you are 1 1/2" off center. I'd just re-drill the holes. There should be no compromise of strength with that much separation.
But, first I'd ask myself if the desire for symmetry is better than the appearance of randomness. The two parts should look anything except connected.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Mine came with a carpet sample that was not attached to the base. There was a cloth on the top seat.
I tried 3 times to insert a photo of mine, but looks like the Café programing is still messed up. |
billappleton Inner circle Los Gatos, California 1154 Posts |
Put a lazy susan on the bottom for rotation and also add strength & fix offset
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Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
Thank you for all your input.
Here's a link to a video that shows my model carpet and what I mean when I state that the seat/carpet is not centered to the base. As you can see here, this also causes the swords to be off center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ7q090l7is Closer examination of the base shows that if I move the plate over and drill, I will be very close to the predrilled holes that were made to position the gimmick in the center. It looks like I might have to turn the base 180 degrees (make the back the front) and drill new holes, as this will position them further from the predrilled ones. Or make a new base. Or just live with it as the performer in the video does!
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
It does look "off". One of the swords seems not to rest on the base at all.
For what it's worth, the screen should be pulled aside first, leaving the swords holding up the carpet. Then, remove the swords. The best part about his version was that the gimmick was properly positioned.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I looks like you may have the later version of the Princes Flying Carpet. The original did not have the gold fringe, it used only a cloth, and it DID NOT swivel. It may be that the previous owner took off the swivel feature. I checked my old Mak Magic Catalogs, and I do not find a non-swivel version is the fringe.
Here is Dick Stoner demonstrating your version of the Flying Carpet. It looks like at this time they were made correctly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9adsawyZ7g What you can do is glue in plugs for the holes cut pieces of wood dowel and just re-drill the holes. Or as you stated, make a new base. I agree, that offset would bother me as well. |
Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
Just a clarification. If the gimmick is attached so that you place the screen straight back (as in the Stoner version), there is no offset of the seat/carpet, as you can also see in this other video of the performer that I linked to earlier (he has 2 videos - 2 different placements).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53TbbGVhcBE The version in the above video appears to be the exact same version that I have. Yes, I agree the screen should be moved first. I also like the idea that some use by having 2 screens. I like the rotation as that seems to me to add some confusion to the method. Also, if your assistant doesn't have to duck down, I think the hoop is a good addition. I've played around with the idea of procuring this illusion for years, as I sold my Super-X about 20 years ago. When I came across the used Flying Carpet this weekend at a brick and mortar magic shop, and saw the price, I couldn't resist! Thanks again for all your comments. Off to the workshop for me!
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-10-11 10:02, Terry Holley wrote: I drilled new holes and plugged the old ones. The seat/carpet is now centered, but it necessitated moving the gimmick closer to the middle of the base, although the screen can still be placed off-center. I will probably be overhauling the illusion in a number of ways, but centering it was a major upgrade in my opinion.
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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FrankFindley Inner circle 1028 Posts |
I know this is an old thread but wanted to post possible solution in case others have this problem. Flying carpet base holes for corner mount are generally not drilled to serve both corners. They are meant to go to either the right or the left corner not both. So if it is drilled for right corner and you screw it in so gimmick is in left corner the seat will be offset. My flying carpet looks identical to video if I screw it going to the wrong corner. So the solution may be as simple as rotating gimmick so it is in the other corner.
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Yes, the screen is removed FIRST and then the swords. That's makes the illusion more convincing. It's a big difference.
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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