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Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
Yup, Larry, got the PM, definitely something I'll consider!
Jakks, Thank you for the compliment, that means a lot to me, even more than reading compliments abou the effect itself (not that I mind those, LOL). Effects come and go, but I'm here for the long run, so that's what matters the most. And I realize that even if somebody doesn't like one particular effect, it's nothing personal, and there's always next time. As for a video, that's probably the most asked question I've gotten about this effect since I first mentioned it here a while ago. At this point, I'm pretty sure there's not going to be a video. The primary reason is that I have yet to see a single creator who has not had a bad experience posting a video. If people would only watch the video once or twice to see what the effect looks like to an audience, that would be one thing. But a majority of the people who watch demo videos (or at least those who are vocal about it) apparently have little better to do with their time than to watch the videos over and over and over again in an attempt to tear the effect apart. Often, they'll find one minor flaw in the performance (which, in reality, usually has nothing to do with the method), and then assume they've figured it out and start publicly trashing the effect, based on their incorrect assumption from watching a poor quality video dozens of times. Watching a narrow frame, close-up video, without presentation, misdirection, etc. is a bad enough represenation of the reality of an effect if it's viewed once. Viewed repeatedly with the intent of overanalyzing the effect instead of just admitting one likes the effect and buying it, there's no way for the creator of the effect to win. I don't own a camera, so I can't make a video myself. As a favor, a friend tried making a few videos of it for me, but there was always something that, if I viewed it repeatedly, looked like a "move". None of these were actually a part of the method, but regardless, to those intent on tearing the effect apart, they'd provide the perfect target. I'd personally rather wait for the first round of orders to go out, and then for the people who are more cautious to wait until they can see somebody who has bought the effect perform it in real life. I just don't want to subject myself to what I've seen so many other creators go through. I wish I could post a video, because it looks absolutely killer, but too many vocal posters here have ruined it for everybody. In the meantime, if anybody ever catches me at a convention or gathering, I'm always more than happy to demo it in person. I can guarantee that if you like rubberbands, and you see it performed well, you'll love it! --Andy
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
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Dr. Jakks Special user 832 Posts |
Andy,
Today, I went to office max and got an 1100 pack of rubber bands and made about 15 sets of prelinked bands and began racking my brain for a suitable visual link that ended with empty hands and the bands for the spectator to keep. Three hours later I realised how much of a genius you are to have created a method that fits in the guidelines stated above that is actually workable. And I realised that making the bands isn't really that difficult at all! Tommorow I am going to be ordering this not only out of my intial interest, but my extreme curiosity to see how you worked out a good method for this effect! Jakks P.S. I did finally come up with "something", but it was really angley. |
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Carl Rheuban New user Malibu, California 90 Posts |
Andy -
I rarely post compliments for effects. It seems that every effect out there gets all these rave reviews on the Magic Café, many of which when I purchase the effect, I end up disappointed. However, I have to make an exception here. I think this is a wonderful effect and I appreciate your sharing the effect with us. Thank you. Carl |
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magicbyswh Inner circle North East Tennessee 1548 Posts |
Andy is there any way to make a video clip of how to glue the bands, I still can't get it for some reason. I have even had my wife to try but no luck. I can't do this until I get a few sets of the linked bands. Steve
Creator of Cereal Brainwave, Creator of the Tossed out Book
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Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
Steve,
I'll see what I can do, but I don't have a camera, so I can't promise for sure. --Andy
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
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Dr. Jakks Special user 832 Posts |
Well, it is honestly impossible to hide the joint (I hear that a lot when walking through back alleys) :lol
:), but just try a self holding magnifying glass and a well lit area with a white background. Also, get some glue that has skin guard so that it won't bond to skin instantly...that way you can pinch the joint when you first press the edges together. Then release it and lay it on some wax paper. That's how I do it and I've made about 20 sets. Jakks |
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magicbyswh Inner circle North East Tennessee 1548 Posts |
I have had the problem of the super glue sticking to my skin when pinching them together and when I remove my fingers one end of the band is stuck to my fingers. I can link my finger to the band perfectly LOL.
Creator of Cereal Brainwave, Creator of the Tossed out Book
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hkb New user Connecticut 14 Posts |
Firstly, I've read through this whole topic and it stirred up a few nudges in me. I won't let 25 yrs experience get in the way either.
To me BOTH Andy and Andi are of the right stuff. That covers the gamut, for me that's originality and integrity. I've read (or viewed) every recent pub of linking band effects released over the past year or two. Of this type effect, L4L gets the Honors. Next, a prior post remarks about Ammar and CMH. Does he know it's origin and the version M.A. did at first and understand it's only M.A.'s handling/routining. Another note. Price. If one saw all the prior's, they'd know that they're in the same price range, and they are not as good, and none of them gave a set of bands either. Well, to the point, my fingers are sticking together also. ... This isn't a first attempt at making bands either. But now, with L4L I can't (won't let myself) just drop it and say later. That wouldn't be in my best interest. Has anyone not used super glue and used something else that works? Any glue tips would be appreciated. Keith |
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magicbyswh Inner circle North East Tennessee 1548 Posts |
I agree the super glue is not working there has to be a better way.
Creator of Cereal Brainwave, Creator of the Tossed out Book
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Dr. Jakks Special user 832 Posts |
Keith,
Actually, the creator of "The Penetrating Bands", which Michael Ammar renamed "The Crazy Man's Handcuffs", was Arthur Setterington. As for linking the bands, be sure and get the Krazy Super Glue. Most of it has a "Skin Won't Bond Instantly!" thing. Here is how I make my bands. Take two rubber bands, a pair of scissors, glue and set up your space. Setting Up Your Space
Linking the Bands
The magnifying glass helps out immensely. Just try it again and again and again and again and again and again. You'll eventually make a pretty good set. And most spectators won't even find the joint when they look straight at it. They will pass it off as "Where they made the band.", like a manufacturing mistake. Jakks |
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Neoglobin Elite user 460 Posts |
I would be glad to buy linked bands if they sold them, however there is no use for them really (other than magic), so I can see why they don't make them in packs.
Thanks Jakks!
Magically Yours,
Neoglobin. |
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Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
In describing his technique for making them, Jakks hit on one key point that I was about to post, which just occurred to me when I read one of Steve's last posts.
When you're holding the ends of the bands to glue them together, the ends should stick out a little bit past the end of your fingers. Your fingers shouldn't be touching the spot where the glue is, that spot should be 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch away. Just the bands should be touching for the first five seconds while the bond is forming, then you pinch the joint, at which point the glue is mostly dry. I feel silly for not having thought of pointing that out before, I bet that's what the problem is! I'll make sure to make that clearer if/when I do a second printing of the instructions. --A
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
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Axman Veteran user 400 Posts |
If you get the right bands (100 percent RUBBER! or as high rubber content as possible) then any decent superglue will stick them really well.
Also don't think of it as the glue that's sticking them, the glue merely melts the band so it will stick to itself. This is how you get a really strong, really invisible link. In fact I have had bands snap at the non glued point before. I have used this method for quite a number of years and think I got it from Micheal Webber. |
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Iain Moran Special user Manchester, England 693 Posts |
When he lectured in London, Mr Webber suggested as Axman already mentioned, that the bands should be 100% rubber, and also the glue contains an ingredient called "cyano acrylate". I'm not sure how important this is, but I do hope it helps.
Iain. |
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thimblerig Loyal user Bellevue, WA 273 Posts |
Cyanoacrylate and MethylMethacrylate are the key ingredients in the "super glues." Haven't been to the hardware store lately, so will be interested to see what they've got in the stuff that supposedly doesn't bond skin like the 'acrylates.
By the way, thanks Mr. Leviss for your postings here and your professional approach to marketing this item. As I read through the thread I half expected to see a flame war at some point. I haven't been a rubber band guy thus far, but between you and Russ I feel a conversion coming on! Cordially, tr |
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Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
Hey TR, thanks, and no sweat. There's nothing to be gained in flame wars, or even if getting insulted if somebody doesn't like your product. My relationship with the people in the magic community is what matters, not whether they like or buy a certain product or not. Products come and go, I'm here for a while!
I'll also heartily second the suggestion for pure rubber bands, although I've certainly had no problem using whatever bands I could find (when I did my rubber band act, including L4L, in the close-up show at Magic on Manhattan 2000, I had forgotten my show bag in NJ, and ended up making up new sets of bands from a $0.99 bag of rubberbands and a tube of Krazy Glue that I bought at the pharmacy down the street!). I actually recommend pure rubber bands for any magical use, they're more durable, stretchier, and tend to hide doubled bands for certain effects much better. The brand I personally use are Alliance Pale Crepe Gold, the top of the line bands from Alliance, which are made with pure crepe rubber. I had to order them in bulk from Staples online, because they're not carried in the stores, and if you just order one box, the shipping costs more than the bands. For a while I've been talking about selling them in smaller quantities on the website, but I haven't had the time to do it yet. I might still, if there's enough interest. --A P.S.-As noted above, and as I note in the L4L manuscript, while he wasn't the first to use this technique, Michael Weber was the first to put a good, detailed description in print. The earliest reference I've found to it was attributed to Eric Mason, although I've heard unverified rumors of it first being done by somebody elsewhere in Europe.
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
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Neoglobin Elite user 460 Posts |
Hi, Making the bands wasn't that hard for me. I made them on my second try, I already made about 5.
Now to purchase that manuscript!
Magically Yours,
Neoglobin. |
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Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
Keith Breen was kind enough to e-mail me and relate his experience, which was that for some reason, the Krazy Glue brand seems to be working much better than other brands. I can't personally attest to this, but if others have been having trouble, you might want to try what Keith did and try that particular brand, if you haven't already.
Most recently, it's been what I'm using, but I've used so many other brands of cyanoacrylate "super glue" that I never thought that the particular brand might be making a difference. If you do try Krazy Glue and it works better than other brands you've tried, please let me know. If it turns out that it's much more effective, I'll add a note to that effect if there's a second printing, and add the tip to our next newsletter. Thanks, Keith!
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
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Dr. Jakks Special user 832 Posts |
Definately. Krazy Glue is the best. I bought 6 tubes to use and none of them blended as well as Krazy glue did. I definately recommend it.
Jakks |
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Crippen New user Washington, D.C. 79 Posts |
I've been trying several different brands of glue and different types of rubber bands. Today, I achieved great success with Instant Krazy Glue Brush-On and some "best quality" bands I bought from Michael Ammar. The brush makes it much easier for me to apply a very, very small amount of glue. The high rubber content of the bands make them fuse back together well. I ended up making a straight cut with an exacto knife, because it was easier for me to perfectly align the two ends afterwards than when I cut diagonally.
For the record, I've been trying to do this for a few weeks. It was a beautiful moment today when I finished rolling the band in my fingers and couldn't find the seam myself! Hope this helps, Crippen |
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