Fxguy Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Hey everyone! Wondering if anyone has any information or links on some resources for combining my love for woodworking with my love for Magic? I'd like to find a book that teaches how to think (dangerous I know! :-) LOL ) about designing new magic tricks that I could use my woodworking skills to build. Anything out there like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Magicians never reveal their secrets, correct? Such a book may be hard to find.... That being said, they few illusions I have seen explained usually involve pretty simple boxes / furniture, but often have false bottoms or compartmemts. Lots of flocking or velvet lining to absorb light and disguise the interior parts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 You can use your saw to cut your assistant in half, not sure whether you'd use a rip or cross cut or, how many TPI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Definitely cross-cut. But I'd use a sled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 When i cut people in half, i dont use a miter saw, not accurate enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post woodbutcher74 Posted September 23, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 The most magical thing I have seen since I started wood working is how fast money disappears from my wallet. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reiska Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Steve Ramsay @ Woodworking for Mere Mortals had a magic project video a while back. You might want to check it out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fxguy Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Magicians never reveal their secrets, correct? Such a book may be hard to find.... That being said, they few illusions I have seen explained usually involve pretty simple boxes / furniture, but often have false bottoms or compartmemts. Lots of flocking or velvet lining to absorb light and disguise the interior parts. While yes I do agree that Magicians never reveal their secrets, there is something to be said that most illusions follow certain guidelines and many of the "gimmicks" are pretty similar. I guess I'm looking at it more from an engineering / design standpoint. So if they do use false bottoms or compartments, what are some ways to incorporate those false bottoms and compartments into different projects? What about locks and mechanical contraptions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 How about picking an illusion to start with, and let us all 'reverse engineer' how the furniture must have been made to accomplish it? A round or two of that should provide lots of ideas to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 I have worked with a local magician on several projects, he was developing new tricks. He created a mechanism and I built a table to contain it, added a felt top and coins appeared through a tiny slit . Look for a book on historic magic tricks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jHop Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Larger illusions would focus more on carpentry: figuring out how to construct crates so that hatches, doors, sleeves, drops, and more will not show up is a big part of it. The skill the illusionist contains is more on making the wonder than the performance of the "patter" in between. The secret most magicians will admit to (it's been widely published, and presented in a variety of sources) is the art of disillusion. In short, making someone watch the left hand, when the right hand is doing something else. Having worked with, on, and in some magic tricks and illusions, I cannot say any more. If you want to find more, I'd suggest checking with the local high schools to see if any of them have a magic club that might have some resources they can lend to you. You might have to join the performing troupe, however. (And watch out for those fine print clauses.... wouldn't want your hard work disappearing in a puff of smoke!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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