Hey guys.

I just purchased a bent half dollar from Tango (through my local magic shop). I called him and ordered it over the phone. What I did not realize was there are so many different qualites of this. The one I received was in great condition (uncirculated quality), but the bend was not smooth at all. It literally looks like it was bent in the middle... but when performing this trick, I use the lighter routine to make it look like I heated it to bend it... but it doesn't look real!!! Everyone knew it was already bent.

My local shop said I could pay $40 (which is a lot) for a tool to do this (that looks good). Is it worth it? Or should I order one from a different company?

Suggestions?

If they're talking about the SL Coin Bending Tool it's very, very good.
But of course, you can always bend coins yourself. Some pliers will do the job.

Pliers I could do, but it always leaves markings... making it obvious.

I just don't know if it's worth the $40 right now. Thanks for the input.

Get an old pair of leather work gloves and cut off the 4 fingers, slip these "fingers" over the end of the buisness end of your pliers, then do the bend and you will leave no marks.
I hope this helps,

Gerald

Sounds like that would work! Thanks for the help Ocha.

(Now I'm embarassed to admit I paid for one!!!!)

This is magic, my friend. Be prepared to be embarassed about a lot of stuff you buy. We all do it...

Hahaha, thanks for the reassurance!

And Gerald, I post from my iPhone quite often also.

You can also wrap the coin in paper towel a few times, and then bend it with pliers. No marks this way.

Well, did you try one of the above suggestions? If so how did it work out for you?
I'm just a bit curious, I like props and gaffs but there is something rewarding when you make your own gaff or prop and it comes out exactly the way you wanted.

Anyway best of luck to you,

Gerald

I have had success with a smooth vise and placing the coin flat between the the jaws and only bend it a bit so it is more subtle.

pat

I just placed an order for one with plans to perform it after, perhaps, a Copper, Silver Brass routine or something when they least expect it.

If you're daring enough, you can place a half dollar on a piece of copper tubing and anneal it, when the coin just starts to turn a light orange, not a bright orange you can use
a a pair of pliers without leaving any marks. Make sure after you get the bend you want you drop it in some water right away., You can bend the coin anyway you like. I do a lot
of coin work and this has worked best for us when making custom bent coins.

Do NOT buy the coin bender for 40.00. I know what this is and it will break after using it just a few times, if it's the one I'm thinking of it's made in India, which should tell you
a lot. Mr. Magic used to be Uday.

Jake Jr.

I always went lo-tech and placed a rag in a vise and the coin in the rag, leaving the top half of the coin exposed. Placing another rag atop the exposed portion, I bent it to my specs with pliers. Always worked for me.

Gerald's ideas of using glove-fingers sounds like a more advanced variation, and one I may have to try.

I heard of others using door-jambs to bend coins in a pinch. Never tried that one, though.

If you are looking for a great routine where not one, but TWO coins are bent, check out my routine on my At the Table download (two hours of coin magic for 10 bucks), or on the NYCMS DVDs (volume 16), available as a download from Vanishing Inc. Magic (as is the entire 17 disc series).