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New User New user 32 Posts |
So I just wanted to pass this on to you guys: I purchased a set of balls from a company called Custom Illusions Shop and have been using them for a couple months now. They are made from track balls from the old type computer mouse and are wrapped with a smaller parachute cord.
The set comes with 4 red and 1 white ball and are incredible. The ad on eBay said they were like the Rolls Royce of cups and balls balls and they were not kidding. They handle like a dream and really do make doing cups sleights much easier. I guess they have a process for making them last longer as I have had them since October and they look as good as new and the wrapping has not budged at all. If you are looking to replace your ball set I could not recommend them enough. . |
ekins Special user Portland, Oregon 513 Posts |
Is there a direct website for Custom Illusions Shop? I did some searching and did find them available on the big auction site for $40 (including shipping) for the set of 5 balls at a "buy it now" and starting at $28 (including shipping) for an auction sale.
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BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
Because I'm a sucker for all things C&B, I had to check these out. First impressions:
--The weight really does feel good, dependable... although it will take some getting-used-to. A chop version probably can't be made. --Monkey fist covering reduces unwanted rolling. That plus weight should make them good outdoors. --Parachute cord is more slippery than crocheted covering. They slide well under a cup with no drag. But with the added weight I feel a little less secure right now, especially with Al Schneider's pinch move at the fingertips. Practice might change that. Crocheted covering grips better, I think. --Color is bright and the cord probably washes well. OP has had good experience. --My calipers measure these at 1.1". They are too big to nest three together in my Johnson Products cups, and they fall off the saddle. They fit well in RNT2 Foxy 3s, and they perch on top impressively... like they were made to be there. |
SethHoward Loyal user 277 Posts |
I'm not finding them online. What is the name of the balls they sale so I can look them up?
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ekins Special user Portland, Oregon 513 Posts |
The seller's name is "allmagicgy". They don't have any of these up for sale right now, but do have some others that use a hardwood core and are cheaper.
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New User New user 32 Posts |
I found mine by searching "cups and balls" but I am sure if you put in monkey fist with cups and balls you would find them.
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Bobby Forbes Inner circle virginia beach, VA. 1569 Posts |
Frank over at theambitiouscard.com sells them. They are a bit more expensive but are perfectly made. I have a set and have had them for many years. Still look brand new
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New User New user 32 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 22, 2018, Bobby Forbes wrote: His are nice but $69 compared to $39.99 I am not sure there is anything about them that would say they're worth nearly $20 more though. I actually got mine for $27.99 so less than half the price of the ambitiouscard.com set. and does their set come with an extra odd color ball? |
Bobby Forbes Inner circle virginia beach, VA. 1569 Posts |
I only mention the ambitious card.com because apparently there are others having difficulty finding the deal you are talking about.
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New User New user 32 Posts |
That makes sense Bobby, I guess I was just looking at from a sticker shock type point of view. After reading your post I checked to see if there were any up for sale and at the time of this there is a set up for auction if that helps anyone out.
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ZachDavenport Inner circle Last time I posted I had one less than 1196 Posts |
I haven't handled them, but they look like they would not be at all hard to make yourself. Maybe a bit tedious, but for 40 bucks, an hour or two is well worth it in my opinion.
Reality is a real killjoy.
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dcjames Special user 577 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 25, 2018, ZachDavenport wrote: I agree Zach, I ordered a bag of the old track mouse balls several years ago and learned to tie monkey fists around them. Used both paracord and leather lacing. Really pleased with the results and still use them today. Best, dc
“Magic is very easy to do - poorly.”
Tommy Wonder The Books of Wonder Volume 2 |
Josh Riel Inner circle of hell 1995 Posts |
That's how I started making balls, I wanted to have something a little different, so I made them. It's just a knot after all. For whatever reason I have never seen a ball like mine for sale (Outside www.theambitiouscard.com)
The ambitious card balls do not use track balls, and don't use paracord. They use the 7/8" steel cored rubber coated mouse balls. Track balls are significantly larger. Nothing against anyone else's aesthetic choices, but I prefer to not use paracord as it tends to stain and is too knotty... which is an odd complaint for a knot. I like a thinner cord, which takes more wraps, and is less square, but is more pleasing to my eye. I'm selfish. Having said that, these are the balls I use, and as I made them and am fairly certain no one else has yet and I have given less than 4 sets out as gifts, they are pretty original. https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOb......R0zBANsA
Magic is doing improbable things with odd items that, under normal circumstances, would be unnessecary and quite often undesirable.
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Josh Riel Inner circle of hell 1995 Posts |
Magic is doing improbable things with odd items that, under normal circumstances, would be unnessecary and quite often undesirable.
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dcjames Special user 577 Posts |
[quote]On Jan 30, 2018, Josh Riel wrote:
The ambitious card balls do not use track balls, and don't use paracord. They use the 7/8" steel cored rubber coated mouse balls. Track balls are significantly larger... Hi Josh, I misspoke... I used the same rubber coated mouse balls you mention, not the large ball mounted on a trackball mouse. Sorry for the confusion. I have tied these with paracord, flat leather lacing, and a thin satin cording. The satin cording looks great and handles well although it makes tying the monkey fist a bit challenging because, being thinner, it takes more laps and being satin is a bit slick which makes keeping everything in line before tightening it all down a bit of a trick. Best, dc
“Magic is very easy to do - poorly.”
Tommy Wonder The Books of Wonder Volume 2 |
Dale J. O'Neill Regular user I can't believe I only have 132 Posts |
If you like those I can offer custom balls covered in suede or p-coed, lots of colors available. 1/2 inch to a very large 2" ball. I find they aren't as slippery as p-cord and are easier to control.
Chopped balls are also available. Dale |
malaki Elite user 490 Posts |
"I have tied these with paracord, flat leather lacing, and a thin satin cording. The satin cording looks great and handles well although it makes tying the monkey fist a bit challenging because, being thinner, it takes more laps and being satin is a bit slick which makes keeping everything in line before tightening it all down a bit of a trick."
You sir, must have the patience of a saint if you tied the monkey's fist with satin rat tail. I tried it once. I find that leather lacing works the best, and it gives the ball a very manipulative-friendly surface. The balls are also less likely to roll off the table, even under a strong wind (what we in Oklahoma call a "breeze"). I have found that using a jig to tie the monkey's fist makes the job much easier. Drill two holes in a board and glue in either wooden dowels or metal rods 3/4" from either side of the ball in the middle. A post with a rest for the ball makes the job even easier (for cork balls, a finishing nail, used point up holds the ball well. This jig also works for painting balls). Unfortunately, there is no clean way to say "monkey's fist jig". |
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