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Leland Stone Inner circle 1204 Posts |
Hiya, Magi!
I was at Home Depot this morning and noticed that they've branched out into selling Magic; perhaps you'll find this beneficial, too. At the counter with all the other impulse-buying nonsense is a bin full of the neatest little reels you've ever seen: They've got a strong return spring attached to about 3' of black line, and ending with a PVC cap that just fits a pen, Sharpie [r] or other writing implement. With a bit of tinkering, that OEM cap could be swapped out for a suction cup (also available at Home Depot) or ...... ? A couple of caveats -- the reel's body is that horrid Home Depot orange colour (easily covered with a quick wrap of electrical tape), and it doesn't lock. But for $3.99 -- here in SoCal -- you can't go wrong. Sincerely, Leland Stone |
ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
You can also find these "disguised" as key or ID card retractors. Check with the HR department at your company. If you use ID cards, they might just have some, and they are available in lots of designer colors.
Amos McCormick
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Office depot carries them in all colors and sell them for $2, I have never found them to be anygood for magic. I bought several to "think tank" them. Nothing so far.
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Magic Tad Regular user 177 Posts |
This sounds interesting. I have a key card retractor and it is noisy so I do not use it. But tell me how noisy is it, and could it be opened to switch out strings. Magic Tad
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
No, they are sealed. I have tried to take them apart etc.
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Brad Hall New user Tulsa, Ok 40 Posts |
I'm sitting here looking at my Stanley 3' PowerLock measuring tape that hooks to my keychain. Has anyone ever tried to retrofit one of these? It has a screw to take it apart, and it locks. If nobody has, I might have to destroy mine for the good of the many.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Yes I have taken a Stanley measuring tape apart. The end spring tongue fits into the ruler. The spring is not that long.
The most popular device to make reels is the retacting key chain holder as used by custodians, mechanics, etc. The brand name is "Key-Bak". Petri, Jay Scott Berry, Sterling have all converted this to a reel. The only problem with them is they only give a 24" line extended. This does not work for silk magic very well. Key-Bak is a California company. Purchase them at places that sell keys. Cutting for replacement of your keys. All other brands have shorter lines and the housing is much to heavily cast metal. The last one I purchased cost $9. That was a while ago. |
Wiley New user St. Paul, Minnesota 33 Posts |
Another source for cheap reels is my favorite "magic parts" supply store: American Science and Surplus....
I found a couple: Here's one that has a 40" line: http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm?te......m=Search Here's one that has only a 15" line, but it's very small: http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm?te......m=Search I'm not sure if either one of them is easily modified, but at $1.75 and $2.50/PKG(2), respectively, it might be worth checking them out... Kevin |
GarySumpter Special user UK 857 Posts |
Have any of you tried these? If not I will order but I'm in the UK so might take a while to get over here!
Gary |
Corona Smith Inner circle Airstrip One 1689 Posts |
Hi Gary, they are available here in key cutting shops, the best ones have black nylon cord, they are quite strong. I have vanished cutlery etc with these. If you can't find them where you are let me know I might be able to help.
Also the type mentioned above with 40" wire tend to start fraying quickly. Corona |
knmagic Elite user 436 Posts |
Well, the price is cheap but the shipping cost is $6 minimum. I wonder how loud the retract noise is?
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Corona Smith Inner circle Airstrip One 1689 Posts |
The ones with nylon cord are quieter than those with metal cable (which tends to fray rather quickly as I said above). If you attach something to soften the noise of the cord fully retracting it is fairly quiet. Enough to be hidden by general background noise.
It may be noticed in a very quiet room though. Corona. Also if anyone in the uk wants one but can't find them, there is a shop near me that has a few... I have a couple one with crocodile clip attached and one with m***et attached ; ) |
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