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magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
Hi All
I recently purchased a used Magic Carpet illusion. I admit I paid well over what it was worth in the condition it was in but I went on to spend a further £60 or so completely refurbishing it. The problem: compared to the other models (MAK, I think), I really struggle to get the carpet to rotate. There's nothing involving ball bearings or anything similar underneath, just a lot of grease. What's missing? Is there an inexpensive solution I can use to make the carpet spin with ease? Mark
Mark Daniel
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
Lazy susan, hardware store version.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Dave Dorsett Veteran user Macomb, Illinois 345 Posts |
Do make sure it's made of metal and get the largest diameter possible. If your lazy susan is too samll and your assistant is at all off-center the top board will not rotate smoothly.
Dave Dorsett
Douglas~Wayne Illusioneering |
magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
Thanks to both of you. Have just checked those out on eBay.co.uk. What diameter would you recommend?
Mark
Mark Daniel
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Dave Dorsett Veteran user Macomb, Illinois 345 Posts |
I recommend a minimum of 12" interior diameter (I'm an American, you'll have to do your own metric conversion;))
One we've used is pictured at this link. Note what they say about recessing- http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?sku=2273&cs=1 This link has some interesting ideas. Forget the pipe for a pedestal and you're pretty much there- http://www.edb.utexas.edu/teachnet/qtvr/Turntable2.html Once you're ready to mount the mechanism, pack the bearings with a very lightweight grease to prevent noise during rotation.
Dave Dorsett
Douglas~Wayne Illusioneering |
dove-boy Special user Joe Yu (Stage Name) 545 Posts |
An Aust. Illusion co build for me a set with NO rotation.....in my PERSONAL & the Aust. illusionist view... rotation when the child is sitting on it will give away the secret.
Make a search on this topic....this has been discussed lengthly about having NO rotation Hope this helps dove-boy |
magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
Dove-boy, I do see your point as it shows there has to be a centre fixing for it to rotate but whether this would occur to the kids I'm doubtful. My main use for this effect is in kid-only shows so I shouldn't have any problems. Plus on my version the whole carpet moves over to the side also, I'm not sure if the MAK model does this. I know the gimmick is in a different place and the screen has to be placed differently from the MAK version.
Thanks Dave. I have had no experience with lazy susans so your help is much appreciated. Will head over to the worldwide auction site to try and track one down. By the way, inches is good. I can't be bothered with all the metric stuff! Thanks Mark
Mark Daniel
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