Hi, I have a question regarding this effect. It is currently available at prices ranging from £15. I do not know the secret so, If I buy one, how easy will it be for me to make my own (i do have craft and wood-work skills) and make it look a little more retro, like a piece of Victorian/steampunk scientific equipment?

Yes, fairly easy to make.

It is easy to make. And you can make other versions of it with different objects penetrating the glass.

There is a coin version that hasn't been on the market for a very long time. It has a very shallow box.

I've forgotten what it is called, but Viking makes an apparatus that produces a similar effect--ball bearing penetrates a single playing card--and the method/construction is completely different AND not nearly as angle sensitive in performance. This last means you can comfortably perform the trick for several people at once. (i.e.> there are no moving parts...)

Julie

Please post a link to the Viking trick. I could not find it on their site.

'sorry, C_B, I don't know how to do that...

Julie

I just noticed there is a Viking Marbo Card Penetration listed in the used magic section at Hocus Pocus (just $40!)

Julie