Has anyone ever made their own Dye Tubes as I require a number to run a workshop for a junior Magic group. I need about 25 at least to run the group and to give them one each to practice. There will no doubt be some perfectionist who will say the I should invest in a set of decent Tubes but as we have no spare cash, in fact non at all, this is my only route. I am prepared to make and buy whatever tubing is required myself if there is anyone who has tried various tubing and eventually discovered which works best. The Juniors could then be encouraged to purchase a better quality Dye Tube themselves if the so wished. Any ideas forthcoming would be much appreciated.

Don-G

Try plastic prescription pill bottles with the bottoms cut off and covered with the cloth type Band-Aids for color.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Nicorette Lozenge tubes work great .

Thanks guys, I knew that there would be plenty of suggestions and I would be surprised of there were not more to come.

Don

Try a smoke shop or a friend who smokes cigars.

A plastic cigar tube with a hole cut in the end was my first dye tube. It was flesh tone and just my size. They come in different sizes as well. Smooth out the hole well before you try to use them (of course).

-Mary Mowder

There is another thread on this subject and I think it was in The Workshop section, but it could have been this one. It was not all that long ago, so if you check it out I am sure it will be an easy find. Other than that, I have done the plastic Rx bottles with cloth bandaids as Bob mentioned above. Though it has never been a problem for me with any type of dye tube, the bandaid really gives you a nice grip on it.

Have you considered the tubes which contain Steradent denture cleaning tablets? Here in the U.K, the tubes are made of plastic and are so easy to cut to size with a hacksaw! An added bonus is, that because they are so easy to cut in half, you will obtain two dye tubes each time.

Best wishes,
Lester

Good idea Mary the cigar tubes but for very personal reasons I will not go near any thing with a tobacco connection. Sounds pathetic I know but there are very good reasons, thank you all the same for your trouble and interest. I have searched 10 pages of the workshop and have not yet found the thread you referred to Dr_J_Ayala, I will try again later. Lester from the UK as I am, what a coincidence, it is only this last few months that I have had to resort to dentures and I had just looked at a tube of Steradent and could see the connection. I must get round to a few old folks homes and start collecting.

Don

I've made die tubes out of thin walled copper pipe cut to length and with the edges rolled. I've also made them out of stiff cardboard and from playing cards and a bit of black duct tape. I have even used the plastic tube thingy that covers a shower curtain rod. When you’re broke and need a gimmick you’ll be surprised what you can press into service.

My suggestion is that you teach them how to make their own gimmicks, rather than make them for them. This way they will never have to be dependent on buying a gimmick when they know how to make one as their first lesson. Later on, they can compare the home-made gimmicks to store-bought gimmicks and decide for themselves if they want to buy one. For the mnakings, either use cardboard or card stock that can be rolled into a tube around a dowel, and then fitted with ribbon held on (as previously suggested) with flesh toned bandage adhesive or tape. There are many inexpensive silk gimmicks you can make from ping pong balls and the like listed in my Dollar Store Magic Book 2 on my site. In the video on "Color Change Silk Gimmicks," Fred Goode is using a gimmick made from a plastic toothbrush holder (bright red, in fact, because color shouldn't matter if it is done correctly and will never be seen).

My first dye tube was from a cigar tube. It works well except for one thing. The real dye tubes have a ribbon to stop the second silk from coming out. I suppose you could cut the cigar tube in half, tape a ribbon on one end, then put the two ends back and wrap electricians tape around the middle. Or band aid would be better because it's flesh color.

Posted: Oct 1, 2011 3:58am
I agree with Spellbounder that you should show them how to make it, then give them the stuff and let them make it themselves.

Lester, I am surprised at you as a canny Scott to recommend Steradent tubes, when in Tesco's store, Steradent are 80p a tube and Tesco's own, in the same tube are 48p. Thanks all the same as you led me to them.
Harry, thanks for you input, it is much appreciated. I would not be surprised in the least as to what could be pressed into service for many uses. I have am a fully qualified joiner and carpenter and served as a craft teacher for over 20 years. Following that time I reverted to being self employed joinery and repair work. I became very good at finding very many solutions to a lot of problems. I thought that this time I will pick a few brains. Thanks again to you both.

Don

Posted: Oct 2, 2011 4:28pm Reply with quote Send a Private Message View Profile of Don-G Edit/Delete This Post Report this post to forum moderator View Posters IP (Moderators/Admins Only)
As a retired craft teacher and having organised the junior section of my Magic club and could not agree with the group being to taught how to make their own. There would be two approaches, either give instruction to them to make their own at home. From past experience of nearly 40 years teaching craft work, if 50% brought a finished model in I would be very surprised. I have tried before with home made items and had a very poor response, down to preparing for exams lack of ability in parents, some members were absent from the info session etc. To make on a club meeting night would mean that I provide materials and tools for all the group to work with. We meet in the conference room of a sports centre with highly polished tables, not for working on by children. Also, after 40 years of teaching craft work, I do not want to teach craft any more, I just want to teach magic, that is what the club is for. I will encourage them and tell them how to make their own bit on the night I want to be sure that I can give every member an item to work with that does the job. I can make the tubes from plastic or metal and put a ribbon inside the tube etc. The set I make will not be given to them, I will keep them as a complete workshop for future years. They can now make their own or buy, it would be up to them.

Don

I made mine out of travel toothbrush tubes (a 2pc tube that holds a standard toothbrush for travel..). Cut to desired size, cut a slit about half way on both sides, run a piece of ribbon thru and cover outside with flesh colored (or painted) duct tape...or bandaids - the tape will hold the ribbon in place...The size holds an 18" silk...

Patsy

Go to your bathroom and remove the paper toilet roll. The two parts that come apart with the spring inside can be used as dye tubes. You get 2 sizes as a plus. They can be made of plastic or metal. I prefer the metal ones covered in flesh tape or painted flesh color.

Thanks again for all the ideas but as I need approx 20/25, I will buy a length of plastic overflow piping from a plumbers merchant and a make a bulk set. If any of the juniors are keen enough they can then buy their own of what ever type they favour.

This is something I haven't tried but I noticed a long time ago that one of those push up candies might make a good dye tube. When you're done eating the candy what you're left with is a cylinder with a movable bottom that slides up and down. No work needs to be done at all except for eating the candy.

Hi Frank

Your idea sounds interesting but where are you? I am in the UK and I can't think of such a candy. What is it called on the off chance I can find it?

Don

I live in the states and I don't eat candy. It was something one of my kids had at some point. I believe it was made to look like a giant lipstick. I'm sure others must have seen these before and perhaps will chime in.

Okay just before submittinig this I did a quick Google search. The candy is called Push Pops and one place you can get them is here:

http://www.oldtimecandy.com/push-pops.htm

If they ship to the UK you can get 24 for $20 and give the kids a treat too!

I have found them in the UK Frank and never mind the kids, I have a sweet tooth myself so I will have the candy and they can have the containers. Have I got that right?

Glad you could find them in UK, Don. Let me know how it works because as I've said, I never tried it out for myself. You know, since it has a cap that fits snugly, you might be able to convert that into some kind of holder to steal the dye tube from.