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mantova New user mantua italy 31 Posts |
Dear friends,
I am working on a floating ball (astrosphere system without the silk )l but I am becoming crazy...I have bought some balls during Christmas, plastic...gold cromed, they are very beautiful, but when I try to fix the thread I become crazy... . The balls cannot be separated in two halves and I have tried to fix the thread with a drop of glue (attack)but the thread (nylon) slips away. I have tried with tape but it is not so strong to resist... any suggestion ?....Thank you |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
The ball has to come apart or be gimmicked with a method to connect the IT.
You were on a good track, buy a astrosphere and don't use the cloth. This would be the cheapest way to go about it. Otherwise, find a way to thread the thread into and out of the ball. Another method would be to use a stryofoam ball, and cover with glitter or paint, this may allow you an easy way to gimmick the ball. You could just buy the Don Wayne Floating Ball, and save yourself some pain, or the new Wonderball by Charlotte Pendragon. http://www.stevensmagic.com/index.php?ma......d=113135 |
JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
How about drill two tiny holes side by side and thread the IT through them?
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-04-09 19:02, JamesinLA wrote: That's what I was thinking. A curved sewing needle may help.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
mantova New user mantua italy 31 Posts |
Thank you all,
wmhegbli, Charlotte Pendragon's wonderball seems very interesting, apart the price ( ! ), but I cannot understand the meaning of long sleeves of dark or busy background...so I wear a black tuxedo with a white shirt...can I perform it with this dress or need I a particular backdrop on stage? |
magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
The vernet floating ball is the same as an astrosphere, just weighs a bit more.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sparkling-Zombie......642ed21b
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Charlotte Pendragon expressed to another person who made this inquiry to her that wearing a black vest and jacket would work with her product.
If you will study the requirements for presenting a floating ball trick, then the statement of "long sleeves of dark and busy background" will become clear. Some performing situations require special conditions be set up before a performance. She also sells a garment that can be worn just for this effect. Many times, in illusion shows, illusionist would put on and wear garments to set the storyline of a trick. The floating ball is not a trick that you can just do anywhere and anytime, unlike the Zombie Floating Ball. Here is a floating ball that would work with Charlotte Pendragon's ball. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IseygEXeqPw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVxPEMBKkVA&feature=related All the above versions are just an offspring of the Abbott's One Man Floating Ball that use to be sold by Abbott's Magic Co. The idea is published in the booklet "Further Tips on Zombie" by Joe Karson, see page 49, the hookup is credited to Mickey Ostaski. Being Abbott's Magic sold a One Man Floating Ball for years, but no longer, it is not clear if the idea of converting a Zombie Ball for the Abbott's version or if the whole idea was Mickey Ostaski's that Abbott's then made a separate glitter plastic ball. |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-04-09 19:02, JamesinLA wrote: Friction would be the culprit in doing this. That is why Don Wayne designed his ball as he did, to reduce friction. |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-04-10 09:08, magicians wrote: I cannot agree with Ian's statement, that Zombie and Astrosphere is the same set up. Zombie floats under an opaque cloth, and Astrosphere floats in front of and around the a sheer see-through cloth. Two different methods, thus 2 different hookups. |
magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-04-10 10:12, wmhegbli wrote: The "VERNET" floating ball is the same, I never said Zombie. The ebay seller is wrong about the effect.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
But your reference says, "Sparkling Zombie Ball by Vernet". Shouldn't it say Floating Ball? The description says it comes without the foulard and gimmick, but you must provide your own. I checked Vernet site and there is no distinction if this is for thread work or can be used in that manner. Poor product description and explanation as to which or what it is. No wonder they do not sell any.
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Ekuth Inner circle Floating above my 1538 Posts |
In response to the question of friction (and trouble threading, which was not mentioned) the method I used was:
Glue a small coffee stirrer/small straw (a Capri Sun straw or ink resevoir of a ballpoint work well) in between the two holes; No more friction (ball slides freely) Easy to thread (small pellet of wax on end of paperclip; work thread into wax/thread ball, remove clip retaining thread) I've used this successfully on ornaments from 2" to 6".
"All you need is in Fitzkee."
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magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-04-10 13:06, wmhegbli wrote: I had done a quick search to find an example. There were several of these being sold. The purpose of the link was just an example. Bottom line, I have sold many of both astrosphere and vernet Belle de Nui, and the methodology is identical. Please don't grade me by the example on e-bay. I just copied the link to show the item. Vernet put a standard zombie AND a Belle de Nui on the market, the latter has a black T****d running through it. Any cloth you decide to use with it is a cloth that is used behind the ball.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Magic Ian, thanks for the clarification! Vernet needs better marketing skills.
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magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-04-11 10:59, wmhegbli wrote: I found one I had left on my collectible shelf. What I never liked was the fish line they used instead of black thread. My line had snapped. -------- Sorry about the dust, I should have washed the dust off before I shot it.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Alexander Wells Veteran user 311 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-04-10 17:33, Ekuth wrote: You mentioned using the small tube from a biro/ballpoint pen before and the other day I found a way to get one of these tubes without having to clean out the ink. It was in a vaporiser/water mister. It's the tube which draws the water from the bottom of the container to the squirter nozzle. |
Ekuth Inner circle Floating above my 1538 Posts |
Ooo! Good find, Neal! I hadn't thought about squirt bottle tubes. Those would work nicely without having to clean the ink resevior tube with a pipe cleaner. Much less mess and angry wives looking for pens... *whistles innocently*
"All you need is in Fitzkee."
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-04-10 09:58, wmhegbli wrote: I should add that the Golden Moon And Selene's two performances are EXACTLY the same as my old routine I used to do with Astrosphere! Their hookups are identical (I would bet). In this particular case/performance I had the two ball halves INTENTIONALLY trapping the mono-line in between. I had to offset the halves so the holes would NOT align. This gives the left hand to right hand movement. I only came across this method by trial and error. This makes it a lot easier believe me! Once you have gone insane trying to make the ball slide freely using holes, pen insert tubes, coffee stirrers you might see what I mean! Doug |
Paul Jester Special user UK 759 Posts |
If your tube is shaped ala obedient ball (or Cubio by Tenyo) then you get the joy of a sliding ball that can become static when you wish. I make my tubes out of brass, smooth the ends off with a file, and insert a tiny bit of tape into the end to quieten the noise. I figure brass is more hard wearing than plastic, and it gets some use, plus brass can be shaped.
I make my own balls (I'm on number 4 now) from those polystyrene balls (I think that might be styrofoam in the states?) in model/crafts shops that come in two halves and all different sizes. It takes a long time and a lot of mess to lighten them, but it lets me paint my own to what I need, and they're a lot cheaper than the marketed floating balls. My current floating ball is about 12" diameter, I don't think there's any that big on the market! If you do decide to make your own this way, don't spray paint it. It's heart breaking to watch all your hard work melt with the wrong paint! Paul |
Ihop Inner circle Glen Spey, NY 1604 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-04-09 18:18, wmhegbli wrote: Yes, Remove a 1/4" diameter plug from the styrofoam ball, insert a neo magnet 1/4" x 1/4" and reinsert the plug. add glitter. Mark the spot in a way, you can find it later. You can also add a few of these plugs, but you will be adding more weight. Instead of attaching wax to the thread, crazy glue a 1/4" x 1/32" neo disk magnet and cover with glitter. Those neo magnets are quite strong and light. Ihor
Ihor
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