MagicGizmo

This is the second installment of repairing your own magic props.  I think I forgot to mention in volume 1 that I do have a lot of experience in repairing, refinishing, refurbishing, and building magic props.  I have a little over 40 years of doing the repairs, building, and etc. on magic props.  My father was a master wood worker and an Industrial Arts professor.  I learned from him and he was my building partner and consultant for years.

It was with some trepidation that I embarked on this project. Having examined the inadequacies of my former equipment, and failing to find a reasonable solution available on the market, I had little recourse but to forge ahead and design my own equipment. I wanted to build something that would:

Before we get into the actual repair of magic equipment, let me tell you what I carry in a small carry around bag.  I always used to carry a few pairs of non-latex gloves, a small container of flat black latex paint, an assortment of small model building paint brushes, several clean rags, small spray bottle of Windex type cleaner, can of spray lubricant, and a bar of soap (watch that is not a creamy kind, like dove or caress, I use dial or ivory) and keep it in a zip lock bag.  The whole idea behind carrying such a bag of stuff is, you want your props to be as sharp looking as you and working in tiptop condition.

I was researching magic backdrops for my own use and I thought some of the information I compiled would be useful in a single location. There are various routes you can go and this article should give you a pretty thorough listing of resources and ideas to pick from.  It will also cover some of the benefits and drawbacks of using a backdrop.