...it couldn't hurt to ask. Does anyone have a slightly used, or pretty well used, or extra, or whatever, set of cups that they would sell me? Something that can hold an orange and will hold is all I ask...I think. They can be tarnished, I like the kinda faded look like in David V's avatar. Please help, someone? I'm just starting, and I'm a poor college student.

Definitely keep your eyes on eBay. New cups like this (assuming you can even find them) will run you several hundreds of dollars. Or, poke around thrift shops and even gardening stores for metal flower pots, bathroom cups, etc...

If you want a good set, and like the faded look of old cups, check out Tom Frank's original Phoenix Cups. They're frequently on eBay for about $75 or so. Five dollars of patina solution and some work, and you'll have them turned old and brown in no time.

If they didn't HAVE to hold an orange, the price could be significantly less.

I forgot about the orange requirement. The Phoenix cups are good, but they're rather small. Nectarines maybe, but not full size oranges.

Dave does look a little weathered there, doesn't he. . .

Is there really any difference in reaction between a baseball or tennis ball production and a large orange production for the final loads?

In my experience, it's not the size of the final load, but the type of load, that matters. And the bigger the final load, the harder it will be to carry off. Fruit is good because it's so different from the balls and somewhat unusual, but there's also nothing wrong with a big lacrosse ball, either. And unlike oranges, lacrosse balls don't ripen and rot -- they last forever.

How about using a smaller orange, or a tangerine, and getting yourself a new set of inexpensive cups for starters? You can get a new copper or brass Bazar De Magia set for under $50, maybe even under $40 if you shop around. You can spend the extra money on some good Cups & Balls DVDs (Ammar, Gazzo, etc.).
SETH

Do a search on final loads, and there will be more thoughts than you can shake a wand at.

I myself am chosing between SBL's, Gary A, Sherwoods. Let me know (via PM) what you decide swingj!
-Magic

"Nectarines! Nature's perfect fruit! Half a plum, half a tangerine, they're just so good!" ~ The Two Thousand Year Old Man