You have 2 options- First, you can use the factory edge for the center overlap. Or, what I do is double the spandex over so that both pieces have a fold where they meet at the center for the overlap. This way, you have a double layer of spandex everywhere.

I know this thread is a little outdated, but did you finish the illusion? How did it turn out, I'm just curious?

Wow..I haven't worked on it in a while, but I want to bring it in and work till its finished. I just have to assemble the legs, put vinyl on, cover with spandex, paint,etc...the rough building is finished!

Cool, I happy to know someone else like me is on this forum. I about your age and am mostly interested in stage illusion although I know having a kids magic show will very much help me build experience and funds. Could you explain how you took woodworking classes, because I am interested in this? Did they help you build the skills you use with illusion building?

I take woodworking projects in 4-H, they didn't teach me that much, It is my dad that helped me the most.

You are so fortunate! Take full advantage of that (sounds like you are...). The initial price of the tools has kept me from attempting this sort of thing, although they would pay for themselves quickly with just a few illusions.

You're on your way. Keep at it, land the Hans Klok account and retire before age 30.

Any chance of making a base that's not too boxy? When the base looks too square the audience automatically suspects something.

Sharpes book (Conjuror's Optical Secrets - Sharpe) has some methods to make the thickness look lreduced by adding more horizontal details.

You can also browse the net looking at other bases.

I am sure you can cut the sides on an angle on the top and bottom leaving room for an aluminum strip to go around the sides.

Being that he used such thick wood, it should not be too hard.

Well...I did bevel them a bit with a power sander,but that's about it..there are nails pretty close to the side, I can't cut too far in. But this is my first build so I'm glad some of these things happened, I learned a lot from it...but the base is still going to come out good.

Illisionist11 - I have built more then a few bases. Do a search here on the Café to see some pics.

An easy way to bevel the corners/edges would be to use an electric planer. You should be able to rent one from Home Depot for the day.

Yeah.. I've seen your bases, I'm just saying that I beveled mine as far as I can..there are some nails in the way of doing it further. The picture on the previous page is when it is not beveled yet.

Hey Illusionist11. A good way to do the beveling is to not use nails at first. Of course you use wood glue, but then use Drywall (black) screws to hold the drying process, long with clamps. Once that sets, whichever side you are beveling, Take the screws out, and then bevel. Once beveled to your liking, then replace the drywall screws to that side, and then put the nails in. Most likely, the old holes will be cut off anyway, so you make another pilot hole, and screw in the drywall screws. While this adds another step (just as long as you are in no hurry), you don't have to worry about destroying a blade on a steel nail *smile*. Seeing as you don't have a table saw (just a guess), there is another method that I use to get and exact angle cut on all four sides. Its more dangerous, but hey, its not fun if there is no danger in it! *haha*

This may be a stupid question, but I will ask it anyways. I am not so sure what you mean by beveling the corners/edges. If someone could explain it to me it would be very helpful. I always thought you bevel the points were the edges branch inward to form the top and bottom, but what exactly do you mean by the "edges"?

That is a question that is, although not difficult, very involved to answer. Basically, the sides/top/bottom of the base are not parallel/perpendicular so as to make the base more deceptive when used with certain illusions.

I suggest purchasing a basic book on illusion building, such as one of the Paul Osborne books or Rand Woodbury's "The Base Book" to answer your questions.

I have the illusion systems series, but I am confused to as what you mean with the sides. In what way would that be beveled?

Update: I rewatched the first part of the illusionworks DVD's and understand what you mean now. Sorry for the trouble, I was just confused with exactly what the "sides" were because there are so many sides of an illusion.