Greetings,
I do a bill trick that has a gimmick (partial bill) stuck to a real bill. I like to carry this around in my wallet and I use a small dab of magician's wax to keep the gimmick stuck to the real bill. The routine goes like this...I pull out the bill with the gimmick hidden and at some point, I need to separate the gimmick from the bill and append it to a different bill. The problem is that after carrying the bill and gimmick around in my wallet and sitting on it, the gimmick becomes really STUCK to the bill so it doesn't just come right off. I've tried using just a very small quantity of magician's wax but it still holds almost like double sticky tape.

Can anyone suggest a different substance to use to attach the gimmick to a bill that will adhere well, but not to the point (especially after sitting on the wallet) that it becomes a challenge to separate the two without being obvious to the spectator?
Would "blue tack" work?
Thanks!
Bob L.

I would try blue tack.

I don't know if blue tack or magician's wax work. I use dental wax(probably similar to magician's wax). I get dental wax from my orthodontist and since I have braces I get it free after every appointment. Try dental wax if you'd like.

Hope this helps,
Chrix

I first thought of double-stick tape, but it would be fairly easy for the tape to stay stuck to the bill instead of the gaff. I also thought of a spot of rubber cement on the gaff. Although, I don't know how well that would hold up.

Blue-tac should work. I've carried it around in my pocket before for IT work.

BTW - If you want to try dental wax, it can be found in any drug store. It's really soft compared to most magician's wax. It comes in a small plastic container and smells minty fresh!

Best

"Restickable" glue stick...

Jon LeClair uses a flesh color putty for his IT routines. That's also what I have been using. It sticks well to cards and bills and has a softer texture.

Maybe some silly putty will also work.

The same adhesive used on 3M Post-It notes can be bought at most craft stores. I think that's what Conus is referring to above. I also use a very small amount of rubber cement sometimes for similar requirements. You apply it just to the gaff, then let it dry before sticking it to the bill.

3M sells "post-it" glue in spray. You spray it on your surfave, wait for, say, 1 minute, and stick the papers together. You then can unstick and restick them together forever.
You can use a cut piece of paper or cardboard to act as a partial shield to spray the glue following a specific pattern (I don't know the english word for that stratagem that is used when doing spray paintings.)
Very practical and useful. Way more than wax, for what you need.
Jonathan.

I have used some of the "stuff" that is used to stick promotional post cards to the pages of a magazine.

Have never tried the post-it spray but it sounds like great.

Kevin

I have used that sticky stuff too and it's great for certain applications as it has really strong holding power, yet it's still removable. My only complaint with it is that it loses it sticky qualities fairly easily compared to some other things.

I use 3M "ReMount" spray. It works better than double stick tape on cards, and a small amount on a bill should work also. I couldn't find it in stores around here (south of Boston, MA) so I ordered it online from framingsupplies.com.


- Duane

I haven't bought this since it was about $16 a can. Instead I've used a "removable Glue Stic" by Avery. As mentioned above, it produces a suface somewhat similar to a post-it note(but not exactly the same).

I've used this in bill switches on fake bills(which tend to be a bit slippery), so that I can manuever them around better. And like Brillcream (sp), a little dab will do ya.

John

I have not used magician's wax in years. Off brand plain chap stick works great. It's available everywhere and it's cheap. It's also easy to carry and apply. I assume the trick that you are reffering to is Eugene's Last Dollar. This has been in my wallet for three years. I perform it almost everyday.

Double stick tape should also work. You'll need to "touch" the tape multiple times to remove most of the "stick." Maybe that would work for you.

Try regular Chap Stick...I have know idea if it will work but worth a try.

I like that chap stick idea... gotta try it. I've read recently that it's also great for the ashes on arm effects. Whenever I can carry something that has multiple applications I get that warm feeling inside

Wouldn't chapstick be too oily and stain the bill?

Be Careful about the "Fun Tac" (Blue, yellow, white or whatever color)-- There is DEFINITELY oils in it and will stain paper over a couple of weeks, or sooner. Take a look at posters you apply it to. In college, I had a few posters up for 2-3 months and not only did it stain the back of the poster with a dark brown-grayish color, but my walls had a stain.

Since then, I applied it to other papers and cardboard. . . Yep-- You guessed it. . . Stains, Stains, STAINS!!!!

I use silly putty.

Is it really necessary that it be stuck to the bill, and if so, why? Does it have to line up exactly on another bill? A change in handling can eliminate the need for wax, in some cases.