I hate su-tables. Am I alone? Over the years there have been numerous suitcase tables marketed, and I am always amazed to find so many kids entertainers using them. The big disadvantage is that you need to bend down to access the bottom level. But more than that, they simply look "proppy". They look like a prop from a magic store, and that is exactly what they are. There are so many more fun options that can be used that would make you look less like a "hack" even if you are one.

What are the "fun options" that can contain all of your props in one case, easy to transport and makes you look like a professional magician? I think when a client hires a magician, they will expect to see you bring something that their can't find in the general stores.

Wow, I totally disagree. I think the sub-tables makes the user look like a professional entertainer.

What are these more fun option you mention?

Not only do they make you look professional, they are great to put things away rapidly, in an orderly way, and close up quickly so that after the show, if you are talking to the client, the kids can not get into your things. Rapidity, usefull during the show, keep things relatively organized... I love those tables...

I don't think mine looks like a magic store prop at all. I think mine looks more like the kind of box/case that just about any variety of entertainer might use to carry things like audio equipment, lighting or in my case magic props. In fact, I think it is a bit magicical that it opens up into a table and isn't simply just a box.

I think I'll keep mine.

I just bought one from Joe Lefler and I love it. As for putting things away at the end of a show, that's absolutely correct...you need to put it away quickly ....check out the thread in the tubes forum where one guy said a kid stole his Strat o spheres base at one of his performances. I can't imagine not using one a case/table. I guess if you're so inclined you can make one, but you have to have SOMETHING to put your stuff in and transport it. I like Joe's despite the high price. But then most of the good stuff in magic is high priced to begin with. OK, someone will flame me now telling me a deck of cards is cheap. But you get my gist. Best, Bob

The original Jack Hughes Su-Table was designed and built for a variety (vaudeville) artiste, not a magician. It was part of the act, the descending legs and back raising to form the top being a novelty opening. Equally, dropping the top and the legs going back into the case for the walk off brought applause.

As a magician's table it was successful because the top was high and the inner bottom also high off the floor, no bending or stooping.

As a children's entertainer table it had its drawbacks. It needed to be lower to the ground like a Roll On table although those tend to be too high for children. Why? Because the top needed to be lower so a child could see and handle a prop on the table during the show. They may need to take something off or put it back or maybe stand there and turn a handle or whatever. Too high and a small child can't do this without straining. Doesn't look good.

A Su-Table is ideal when the legs are not employed and many of us in the UK work a Su-Table without the legs. The top size is fine and the overall table size suits most UK living rooms without dominating. A great many UK parties are still held at home.

These tables do not have sufficient room inside for all the props you are likely to use during a one hour show which is standard here. Often you might wish to conceal some larger item behind the table and being close to the floor this is possible.

I agree about the need to bend but in a domestic situation this should not cause problems. In any event, store props higher and place used props lower.

These types of table allow good decorative personalisation, hold a good load, open fast and close equally easily and are easy to carry in and out.

Just make certain you have a good commercial artist to decorate it, make the design distinctive and personal to you - avoid those cheap and nasty stick-on cartoon graphics - and cover it, ensuring it is properly protected in transit. If it does take a knock, especially on edges and corners, keep a supply of matching touch-in paint to maintain condition.

There is much to be said for using automotive paint as the base paint in one of the sold standard colours. Matching touch-in wands are then always available from a motorist's store. If you are having the table custom built insist they use birch ply as it is strong, lightweight, forgiving of light knocks and provides the finest surface finish for automotive paint.

People have asked me for better fun options. Why not try a suitcase on a waiter's stand, and a laundry hamper to dump the props if necessary? May not sound much, but it all depends on the suitcase you use, and the laundry hamper you choose.

Tony has some good thoughts. The first table I bought was from Jack Hughes, and was called a "double-decker table". It was green, and on two levels.

Run rabbit run
The case depends on the amount of props that you need, but I must disagree with the waiters stand. Danny Hustle uses an antique wooden kitchen chair that has colapsible legs, and I use a jump stool. I like these type of props because they are kinda vaudvillian, yet serve a useful purpose. I would never use a hamper, because it is just useless luggage.

Al......as with everything there are waiter's stands and waiter's stands just like there are laundry hamper's and laundry hampers. There are also jumping stools and jumping stools. At least I am glad to see you are thinking a little out of the box. Incidently, there are also boxes and boxes. RRR

RRR
I am an expert on jump stools, and I have had three different types over the years.

The aluminum one that jumps streight up.

The alminum one that twists when it jumps.

The one I have now which is wood, has long lasting rubber bands. (availible at Stevens magic)

I even modified the first one with solid rubber bungi cords that shot up like a rocket, and I had to catch it on the way up before it made a mark on the 9 foot ceiling. LOL

I find the use of the word "Hack" rather interesting here. I have been using a Lefler table for many years and have had many repeat bookings year after year using one I am not sure how using a suitcase table makes one look like a "HACK". Mine is decorated in fact with a birthday banner or whatever is appropriate for the party I am doing. You have your opinion and I respect that but I would never use the word "hack" in reference to another performer regardless of what props he uses.

I love my Lefler Tables. One trip in and one trip out. Everything is self-contained and ready to perform five minutes after walking through the door. Five minutes after the show, I'm ready to go.

I like them. I think they look fine. I don't use one now. I just use a rolling file case and a table on a tripod.

Props may come and go but a table comes to live with you. None are ever perfect but when you find the one which suits, you learn to live with its limitations. And most people defend their choice.

You may look at someone else's table which overcomes the shortcomings of yours but has its own little drawbacks and you will convince yourself yours is the better.

Just as the other person couldn't live with yours.

In the end tables are like props and effects. What turns out to work well for one person doesn't sit comfortably with another.

It's what makes good pros able to work the same audiences successfully though not by choice on the same day. It's what keeps us all working.

I have so many different tables, cases, stands etc. All of them serve different purposes for different needs. I like my lefler table, very useful, and professional.

I currently use an open-top table, like Duane Laflin's. I have tops that an assistant can bring out. I also use a black topped table to hold other props like a colouring illusion and bits for dressing up. I really feel awkward bending out of sight of my audience. I'd rather everything was straight to hand.

I use several different types of tables and my Lefler table is one of my favorites.

Oh yes, that looks much more professional and just screams fun!

HA @ NEALE