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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
What material do manufactures use to make most parlor sized magic props? Below are some examples of the objects:
http://www.stevensmagic.com/shop/flaming-head-chest/ http://www.makmagic.com/product-popup.asp?prodid=P3879 http://www.makmagic.com/product-popup.asp?prodid=P8882 http://www.makmagic.com/product-popup.asp?prodid=P1188 http://www.makmagic.com/product-popup.asp?prodid=P0896 http://www.makmagic.com/product-popup.asp?prodid=P3647 http://www.makmagic.com/product-popup.asp?prodid=P6651 http://www.abbottmagic.com/Abbotts-Den-O-Zen-ABBdenozen.htm http://www.abbottmagic.com/Break-Away-Dove-Vanish-P3963.htm |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
This has been mentioned before in this forum, but U.F. Grant aka Mak Magic used tempered Masonite with double sided finish. Meaning both sides were smooth. This is very hard to find on the ordinary wood market, some mentioned that it is only available in large quantities and by special order from some lumber yards.
Abbott's Magic uses or used Finland Birch Plywood, mainly 3/8 inch. This plywood is very expensive, I had a friend that drove to Chicago and purchased several sheets that came in 4'x4' size only, at $40 a sheet, that was in 1981. This can be compared to airplane plywood, and the plywood Michael's craft store carries. I had a purchased a sheet from my friend, it was 11 layers. As for rating, if you buy B - C that is still the best to use for magic painted props. A is not necessary, that means it is flawless on voids or knot holes. I could not see an flaws in my sheet of wood. I made a Taylor Su-case table. This wood hardly needs any sanding at all. I only sanded to remove the grin, I once sanded a piece that was like fine furniture, so smooth it shined without any finish applied. With the scrap I made an Abbott's Coin Ladder, a card box, and a head sword box. I always thought, if Abbott's would build the props, and Mak Magic would paint them, that would be the finest looking magic props in the world. |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Hardboard finished double-sided is now available at several of the home improvement stores in 1/8" and 1/4". I found some recently and bought a sheet just to have on hand for special projects. It has been quite awhile since I've seen it that wasn't textured on the back.
By my experience, Finnish Birch has more and higher quality layers than an equivalent thickness of Baltic Birch. It is also a better finish on both sides. But, it is dreadfully expensive. Baltic Birch typically has "football" patches to fill voids on one side. This usually acceptable for most magic prop construction because the better side can be used for the outside, and the lesser inside. In some cases it matters how nice the inside is. In such cases, a better grade of wood can help, but it is also possible to spend time with grain fillers and additional sanding to clean up any problem areas. For the record, Birch plywood as found in home improvement stores is a lesser grade. It may have a nice finish on one side, but the core layers are substandard for the demands of magic prop construction. Perpendicular joints are just not going to be as stable. Except when you find smaller, dimensioned pieces, Baltic and Finnish Birch will come in 60" x 60" (5' x 5') sheets. When I buy, I have my wood supplier rip these in half as they are much easier to manage in my small workshop. H.I. stores will supply 4' x 8' sheets (plus half, quarter and one eighth sheets). Midwest Products supplies a very good selection of thicknesses that lumber yards simply don't carry. It's not cheap, but excellent stuff. http://www.midwestproducts.com/ More info going on in this thread. http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......um=17&25
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
TheRaven Special user 597 Posts |
Fingerlee Lumber (http://www.fingerlelumber.com/) in Ann Arbor Michigan carries what they call European Birch...
Not sure if that is the same as what Michael mentioned called Finnish. European Birch Plywood Excellent for drawer sides, furniture and marine use. Free of core voids. Exterior glue. Clear face, a few wood patches allowed on back. Better quality than similar “Baltic Birch” product offered by others. 1/2 4x8 (9-ply) -------------------------------- 119.75 3/4 4x8 (13-ply) ------------------------------ 121.20 |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Looks like it might be. Too bad it's not available in thinner stock.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
TheRaven Special user 597 Posts |
It's an awesome lumber yard. I'm pretty sure they can special order anything.
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
It's close enough to Mike that he can drive to it. It's nice to actually see and hand pick the wood.
I'm lucky in that regard, too. My lumber yard is less than 20 miles away. When I lived in Alabama, I'd drive up here a couple times a year to visit family, and then drive home with a van load of wood. It's a little easier task these days. I counted the layers in the Baltic Birch I use. 1/8" - 3 ply 1/4" = 5 ply 3/8" - 11 ply
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
What is so great about Fin Birch is that 3/8" is used in place of 1/2". It is possible to drop a thickness and still have a fine magic prop.
There are or were Wood Craft store that sell the thin stock. One store here had a 2'x2' piece that was $54.00. The craftsman said they bought at the wrong time and the next shipment would be cheaper. Most plywood the layered ends are covered with veneer or a piece of the edge is cut off at a 45 degree angle and turned to cover the layers. When I stained my coin ladder, the light and dark layer on the edge looked beautiful in my opinion. |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
You guys give excellent information. Thanks.
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