I don't think you can. Delrin® does not take paint well.

I'm going to venture a guess that these cups are a serendipitous byproduct of their cup machining operation. As they are getting the dimensions set and tested, rather than waste metal stock, they used these Delrin cylinders instead. I'm sure someone at the machine shop thought to themselves "Hey, these look pretty good! Maybe we can sell them too!" and the Black Beauties were born.

If they catch on, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a whole range of colors offered.

No, actually Mike decided to work with Delrin® right from the start. Delrin® is more expensive than aluminum, for example.

I'll be able to give you more first-hand information in a couple of days. I'm expecting cups tomorrow.

So, everybody hang in there. I have had a number of conversations with Mike over the last couple of days. He has given me some ideas about these cups. Once I have had a chance to play with them a bit, I'll tell you the pluses and the minuses.

I borrowed a set from a friend in VA. I had heard so much about them, that I had to try a set. I'll definately be buying a set of my own. While the cups are lighweight, they are a joy to table hop with. As a rest. magician in Atlantic City, these cups are refreshing to have at a table as they are not too light nor too heavy. Until you have had a chance to perform an evening with them, do not let others sway you by calling these little beauties "cheap plastic" they are anything but! As the old RNT was know for they're quality it is again brought about by Mike Brazill with the new line. I look foward to using these black beauties a lot in the future.



You'd be suprised at how well they accept paint to the surface. I've seen the proto's of the colored beauties and the colors are striking. If you want contrast, you'll find it in the colored beauties if and when Mike releases them.

I just spoke to Mike Brazill about the color cups. The color cups are not Delrin®. They are metal. He did confirm that Delrin® will not take paint well at all. Delrin® is available only in two colors, black and bone white. The white is not really suitable for the cups and balls because it is somewhat translucent.

I didn't want to comment about the colored cups yet, because Mike was keeping that under his hat, so to speak. However, he will be releasing them, as well as a number of other very innovative ideas to the cups and balls community within the upcoming year.

I've lathed Delrin for "self-lubricating" moving parts; it's slick like Teflon and very little sticks to it.

That's correct. The cups have a machined satin finish and three rings, so they are easy to hold on to.

As I mentioned before, I have used it for plectra, both for guitar and harpsichord.

I have posted a review of the cups in "The Good, the Bad and the Garbage."

Thanks to everybody for this wealth of information. I will be reading your post in the review section, Bill.

When I contacted Mike Brazill about the Black Beauty cups, he sent me a set on approval, for review. I liked them so much that I purchased them -- paid full price -- no discount.

Mike has got so many new ideas to go with his cups -- he is a truly amazing guy. And if you ever have a chance to talk to him about the things he has done with cups and balls, you will find that he has a history with them that goes back long before the original Rings and Things.

Black Beauties seem extremely practical for table hopping performers in a walk around situation considering the cups weigh next to nothing and are virtually indestructable. Also, I happen to find the black rather appealing especially with contracting color balls like white or yellow.

Delrin is used to make some "indestructible" guitar picks. After an hours use the picks form a dimple which contours to my thumb and I toss them out.
As a collector the cups sound pretty cool.

Kregg