|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
CarpetShark Special user 576 Posts |
Never had or used a mat, but I am participating in a small show in the coming months, for which I lding will need a pad. I'm decent with a sewing machine, and basic carpentry, so the idea of building something would have a few advantages: the fun of the build, learning about what makes a great coin mat...I've a bunch of questions before I begin, so please bear with me.
1) what material makes the best suface- pool table felt, soft cloth of some sort, ??? 2) How much 'bounce' or give does the working surface need ? I wouldn't think picking a coin off hard/smooth surface (leather, glass...that sort of thing) would be anything but painful. A little give not only muffles sound, it makes picking up a flat coin much easier. 3) What sort of 'addenda' i,e extra stuff do you find useful, stuff like a drop bag, slots for [] and [, whatever ? 4) Lastly, what commercial pads would you recommend to a part-time performer/hobbiest ? Thank you kindly for taking the time to read my post. Cheers |
|||||||||
karnak Special user Connecticut 747 Posts |
Regarding commercially available pads, Pattrick's are very highly regarded by many: http://www.pattricksmagic.com
For a supernatural chiller mixing magic (prestidigitation, legerdemain) with Magic (occultism, mysticism), check out my novel MAGIC: AN OCCULT THRILLER at http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Occult-Thriller-Reed-Hall/dp/1453874836
|
|||||||||
Mobius303 Inner circle Lakewood, Ohio 1309 Posts |
Patrick's matts are amazing. I have many of them.
JM Authentics are top notch as well and he can customize them for you. https://jmauthentics.com/ RNT2 also has excellent hard backed pads that work perfectly and has slots for coins and things. https://www.rnt2.com/ Jason Ladanye has a great close -up pad available as well at a reasonable price and it is a good surface to work on. Seemed a bit softer to me than the patrick matts. http://www.cardmagicbyjason.com/ It all depends on what and where you will be performing. I have many different sizes for different venues and performing situations. My favorite size is the Navigator sized large mat by JM Authentics right now as it fits with my style, routines and practice routines. Hope that helps a bit. |
|||||||||
Mobius303 Inner circle Lakewood, Ohio 1309 Posts |
About your questions:
The amount of bounce or give depends on the type of material you perform. I found that if you are doing chop cups for example, too much bounce on the surface and too hard a surface are an issue. I use a felt or velvet when making my own pads and for the pad part I use a foam matting material or rubber mat under the soft surface. The tension on the velvet is important if you are making your own pads can be adjusted to your own liking during the upholstering part of the process. I have found no need for the Extra stuff on a pad as you may become too reliant on it. The three best materials for the pads are Velvet, Felt, Suede. Suede is my new favorite and felt over time looks terrible. Velvet for me has been a great long lasting surface on pads I make my own or on the commercial ones. There are two types of velvet and both work great. Hope that answers the rest. |
|||||||||
Jerry Danes New user 32 Posts |
I can recommend the close-up mats from Jason Ladanye. I have always used Gibson mats until now. Jasons mats are even better and very durable. It will last several years and they are beautiful too. I got 2 large casino green mats and will probably order a burgundy when he releases his new book.
|
|||||||||
magicbart New user Chambly, Québec, Canada 85 Posts |
Patrick's matts for sure.
The quality is good and can be custom made. For cards and coins it's perfect. The bounce is just enough. I have a monster pad for shows where I'm sitting down. I have a regular pad for pratice, magic jam or for my portable table when doing cocktail. And I have a circular 7" for strolling. All from Patrick's. All very good. Highly recommended Magicbart
What your brain can imagine, you can create it. Dont wait, just do it.
|
|||||||||
Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
Here is a thread I started in "The Workshop" forum a while back and got a lot of great info. I have made 3 really good mats using the suggestions
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=26
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
|||||||||
Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
I actually had the best luck with the material used for car headliners (light Grey and/or black) and no other padding under. The first one I made using the white batting you would find inside a comforter was very soft and had a slight bounce feeling. Really felt luxurious but when I try to lay a double on it (cards) they want to spread before I want them to. Other than that, It was absolutely fantastic for cards. PM me your email if you would like some pictures of a few I have made. I even make small portable tables for next to nothing.
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
|||||||||
Jacobcapper New user Melbourne, Australia 11 Posts |
PM'd Poof-Daddy
|
|||||||||
MatrixAddict New user 99 Posts |
Has anyone tried out both the VDF and Duffy close up pads? Are they much different? I have the VDF but need something with more give to it.
|
|||||||||
CarpetShark Special user 576 Posts |
Thanks so much to those who responded to my post, Moebius and PD in particular Poof-Daddy, I am going to print up your thread and use it as a guide to try and build something similar, once the Christmas holidays are over! Thanks muchly guys.
|
|||||||||
Doc Willie Regular user 160 Posts |
I just made my own out of genuine pool table cloth. For padding I used Kobalt's tool box liner, which is thin, and almost sticky, easy to work with. I ended up using 5 layers to get what felt right to me. I think the pool table cloth is a little too smooth. Felt would be better, or microfiber (I like the surface of dish drainer pad, available at dollar stores. Just haven't found the color I like.).
|
|||||||||
Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
CarpetShark, I see you have your PM function turned off but if you want to ask questions along the way, you can email me at magictrucker007@yahoo.com and I will help where I can.
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
|||||||||
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
I used to make my own long ago, but for the cost it really was not worth the hassle and time. I buy mine from Penguin usually from about $10-$20 and they are great. I take care of them well so they last a very long time. But they are so inexpensive it is not an issue. Just depends how well to take care of them and how much you use them. So I would never pay more than about $20 tops. A lot of times I even just the felt material on top of my suitcase table which is perfect as well, but usually I put a pad on top of that as well.
I have had a VDF one now for about 15 years and it is till in excellent condition. But I have a few others as well as back-ups. That one is $6.81 at penguin. Unless you are using one all day and half the night at a dirty bar I see no reason to get one too expensive, and even in that case I would still use a cheap one and replace it as needed. Some use giant mouse pads but I do not like those as the material is too thin and slick, and subject to wear faster than a regular close-up pad, and curled up worn edges etc. So they are great for me, and I do have other brands as well but they are all mostly the same. I don't have a need for any "specialty mats" or custom sizes or with my name on etc so they work great for me. http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/8218
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
|||||||||
CarpetShark Special user 576 Posts |
Pood-Daddy: thanks for the help bro, appreciate it. If (when!) I hit any snags I'll drop you a line and take advantage of your kind offer of help. Oh btw, I had no idea my pvt email was disabled...I diddled with my settings so please try sending me a pm to test it out.
Doc: I was leaning towards pool table cloth, but perhaps felt would be better...thanks for the comment. Sirbad: Very good point about the cost. Then again, I get a kick out of making stuff, so I need to add that value to what it cost me to rig one up. |
|||||||||
Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
CarpetShark, Your PM's are still off. I believe you need to click [My Profile] at the top of the site. Then click "edit my preferences" then under "Email and Private Message settings" the 3rd option says "Block Receipt of non reply PM's (non-staff)" you need to click on "NO" to receive PM's. If you have "Yes" clicked, I believe that is your problem. If this doesn't fix it, you will likely have to ask in the "The Magic Café Tech Help Area" forum. But I am pretty sure this will fix it.
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
|||||||||
Doc Willie Regular user 160 Posts |
The one advantage of pool table cloth is that it is liable to be long lasting, more than felt.
|
|||||||||
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
Yeah if you can accept PM's it will show on your profile as you can see on the names on the bottom. Yours only has the profile button showing. Maybe the Café has other member pm's shut off by default now not sure. But you can change it as stated.
Click here to view attached image.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
|||||||||
CarpetShark Special user 576 Posts |
PDaddy, Sirbad, thanks for clarifying that. You'd think someone who has over forty years programming experience would know how to set up pref's on a web page!
Doc, good point, and on a personal note I find pool table material to look 'classy'. |
|||||||||
clars Regular user Folsom Ca 116 Posts |
I am looking for a pad that is machine washable. Any thoughts. I washed my Murphys pad. It was not the best idea. Thanks for any input
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Nothing up my sleeve... » » CloseUp Mat Information Request (1 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |