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Joey Stalin Inner circle Canada 1072 Posts |
Well I just got interested in cups and balls after picking up Ammar's Cups And Balls vol 1 on sale. Before this the only cups I have ever handled were the plastic kind when I did the effect for my younger cousins. So anyway, I decided to buy some copper cups. My first question is what would be the best way to keep them nice and shiny, or best way to clean them? Granted, they are only something for me to practice with. Just to see if cups and balls is something I would like to go deeper into, but I would still like to keep them looking nice. They aren't the best quality cups out there and not the most costly either. They were only $40. They have a 2 5/8" wide mouth and 3" tall and have a nice weight to them; however, they have only a slight recess on the top of the cup. So it is pretty easy for the ball to roll off. The blue, yes blue cause red is so standard, crocheted cork balls I got with them seem huge as well, 1 2/4" in diameter. As you can see they aren't anything special. What the local magic shop had in stock, gotta support the locals.
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/3075/dsc000941um.jpg http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/8271/dsc000969dm.jpg http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/5351/dsc000993ug.jpg So I guess my only questions about this would be what is best used to clean them? Would plain lemon juice work? And if I choose that this is something I really want to get into, what would be some good quality cups to buy? I would prefer copper, I just think they look better. And they would need a good weight to them. But I'll probably be picking up Ammars cups and balls vol 2 if I go through with learning the cups and balls any further or not.
-A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic.
-It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them. -The secret impresses no one. The trick you use it for is everything. See you space cowboy... |
ChristianR Veteran user 356 Posts |
Many performers of the cups and balls (including myself) let the cups develope a patina. You can do this by handling the cups and little everyday but it won't happen overnight, (at least it didn't for me). In my opinon the cups look older and more magical. If you really wanted to polish them keep in mind that it would be better to polish and seal them not to just polish them everyday and wear down the copper. Polishing will get very redundant quickly becuase copper does tarnish quickly. If you use Brasso be very careful.
Christian
Tarbell!
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sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
Looks like you have a set of Morrissey cups (especially since you live in Canada and apparently bought them there). They should be fine for starters, and I agree with not polishing them -- they will look more 'normal,' and you can spend your time working on your sleights instead!
I think the Morrissey sets generally come with 1" balls, which may be a little big for your hands, at least for starters. If you are having trouble with the sleights or are flashing (exposing) too often, you might try 3/4" balls, which Morrissey also makes. Get yourself two sets while you're at it, and you'll never have to worry about losing a ball again. And congrats on supporting your local magic shop, it's an excellent idea. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
rikbrooks Inner circle Olive Branch, Mississippi 1317 Posts |
Hey SETH, I noticed your sig, "The better you are, the closer they watch". Guess what? The closer they watch the better I am! Seriously. Normally I get "ohhh, ahhh" but I love it when they say, "Now wait just a minute! I was REALLY watching and I didn't see that happen"
I usually respond with, "That's because it DIDN'T really happen - I just made it LOOK like it did" That freaks them right out. |
John Bowlin Special user Maryland 827 Posts |
I agree with just letting the cups turn, at $40 buy another set and don't touch them if you want a set that looks pretty.
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pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
Whenever I would get a new set of copper cups, I would handle them while I was watching TV. Just rubbing them with your hands and the patina will come in no time. Copper cups look great with a patina, brass however IMHO is another thing. Brass and silver should be kept with a mirror shine to look their best.
One more little tidbit, copper has a red color, whether you let them develop a patina or not, when performing try a black close-up pad. They will stand out much more. |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-03-15 08:58, rikbrooks wrote: Thanks, Rik, for the observation and the thought, which I agree with. I have found that with experience, I have more confidence and am able to take more chances, which in turn produces better effects. I can also slow down, not rush through moves, etc., which all by itself makes things more mystifying. So it doesn't bother me if they watch closer, because as you say, the closer they watch, the better you get -- if you work at it. I also think the Cups & Balls is the perfect trick to learn this with, because it generally operates on the "one-ahead" principle. Eventually you learn to get your business done on the off-beat, then you can devote all your time and energy to the revelations that automatically follow. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Christopher Moro Special user 793 Posts |
Addressing the recess of the cup...Morrisey's are like that and that can be frustrating. I used to have an aluminum set (which are too light, so good choice going with copper), and I eventually used a ball peen hammer to whack the bottoms and make a better indentation. It worked, BUT I must WARN you...You can really make the cup look horrible. I did! :/ Another possible solution is to use mini baseballs. The stitching prevents them from rolling and that could help make up for the lack of a recess...a little.
Your original question was aboout polishing. If you like the polished look, Mike Brazill tells me Blue Magic Polishing Creme is a good product. Christian is right though, you'll want to seal them so you're not polishing every couple of days. I haven't tried this yet, but I learned here on the Café that pure carnauba wax is a good sealer. |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I use mine a lot in the hot summer outdoors and brand new copper cups look good and old right away.
Nothing looks better than a set of copper cups with a nice patina. Yummie!!!
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Joey Stalin Inner circle Canada 1072 Posts |
What are some other good dvds to look into for the cups and balls? And maybe I'll just make a few little monkey fists to prevent them rollings off.
Just a side note, I remember hearing something about a cups and balls routine, by Ricky Jay I believe, where the final loads were masses of pennies under the cups. Anyone know if there is anything in print or on dvd for a final coin load like that?
-A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic.
-It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them. -The secret impresses no one. The trick you use it for is everything. See you space cowboy... |
Mad Jake Inner circle All the voices in my head helped me make 2200 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-03-15 12:13, Christopher Moro wrote: Another solution is to use Tayade balls, they tend to stay in place as well. If you want to seal your cups, I recommend using Flitz, this retards the oxidation process. If you want to permantly seal your cups, check to see if there are any local platers near by the can usually lacquer items for a reasonable price.
Licensed Steve Dusheck Manufacturer and distributor visit www.airshipmagic.com
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steve j Special user Long Island, New York 559 Posts |
Don't clean them, I have a set of johnsons and let them tarnish because I believe that it sends a message of them being used a lot and therefore your routine must be good. Tarnished cups are a good thing not a bad, let them turn...you may not understand now but down the road you will.
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gerard1973 Special user Michigan, U.S.A. 688 Posts |
Joey Stalin:
You don't have to spend a lot of money for a good set of cups. Morrissey, Uday and Ickle Pickle all make a good set of inexpensive cups in brass, copper and aluminum. These cups will last you forever if you take care of them. To clean your cups, just wipe them down and maybe use some wax on them every so often to shine them up. Aluminum cups are usable but I would suggest that if you are going to buy cups that stick with either a brass or copper set of cups because those metals are stronger and heavier than aluminum.
"Confusion is not magic."
Dai Vernon |
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