magician's arsenal, professional tricks of the trade

MAGICIAN'SARS E N ALPROFESSIONAL TRICKS

OF THE TRADE

PALADIN PRESSBOULDER, COLORADO

"Where does he get those wonderful toys?"Jack Nicholson as the Joker in the movie Batman

"Burn, baby, burn!"The Penguin (Danny DeVito)

Batman Returns, 1992

"Who is a prisoner?The man who does not let his imagination run free."Anthony Blake (Bill Bixby, who is a real magician)

"The Magician" television series

Magician's Arsenal: Professional Tricks of the Tradeby Lee Scott

Copyright 1993 by Lee Scott

ISBN 0-87364-741-6Printed in the United States of America

Published by Paladin Press, a division ofPaladin Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 1307,Boulder, Colorado 80306, USA.(303) 443-7250

Direct inquiries and/or orders to the above address.

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, noportion of this book may be reproduced in any formwithout the express written permission of the publisher.

Neither the author nor the publisher assumesany responsibility for the use or misuse ofinformation contained in this book.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fire Flower 1Hand Flasher 2Impact Smoke Bomb 4Gravity Holdout 5Hot Shot I 7Hot Shot II 9Flash Fire 10Shotgun-Shell Devices 12Ballistic Cane or Umbrella 14Sleeve Cannon 16Spit Fire 18Self-Lighting Match 19Exploding Balloons 20Exploding Balloons II 22Human Blowtorch 23Bottle Rocket Gun 24Digital Time-Delay Weapon-Firing System 25Psychokinetic Scrambler 27Fog Machine and F/X Effect with

Fog Machine and Movie Projector 29Remote-Controlled Weapon-Firing System 31Rattrap Cigarette Weapon-Firing System 32Up to One-Hour Time-Delay

Weapon-Firing Method 33F/X Remote-Controlled Pull/Reel 34Telephone Remote Control

Weapon-Fuzing System 35Shocker 36Shocker Deluxe 38Squib Work 39Squib Vest 42Whiz Bang I & II 46Death Cards 48Flamethrower 50Ignitor 51Lit Candle from Coat 53Flash Pots and Flash Pans... ...54

Escape Tools 56Escape Tricks 58Thermite Escape Methods 62Rope Work 64Magician's Escape-and-Evasion Kit 65Lock Pick Guns (Improvised) 70Sparks 72Shooting Wand, Cane, or Staff 74Self-Lighting Fuze Principle 76Miscellaneous Weapons and Effects 78Gas Jet 80Secret Hiding Places 81Burglar Deterrent I 83Burglar Deterrent II 85Sleeve Darts 87Unbelievable 89Flame-Lifting Methods 90Selected Flames and Fires 92Utility Device 95Firecracker Devices 97Pick-a-Card 99Impact Smoke Bomb II 101Appendix A

How to Make FlashPaper and Flash Powder 103

Appendix BImprovised Radio Detonation Devices 104

Appendix CInitiating Actions 105

Appendix DSupply Sources 106

Appendix EMagic Dealers 107

Bibliography 108

i i i

WARNING

The procedures to be followed in this manualand the resulting end products are extremely dan-gerous. Whenever dealing with explosives or incen-diaries, special precautions should be followed inaccordance with industry standards for experi-mentation and production. Failure to strictly followsuch standards may result in harm to life and limb.

Check all applicable laws before buildinganything in this manual. Certain Bureau ofAlcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms regulations, aswell as state and local ordinances, may apply tosome of the improvised firearms and pyrotechnic

devices. Make sure you know and obey all thelaws regarding firearms or explosives. Ignoranceof the law is no excuse.

The author, publisher, and distributorsdisclaim any liability from any damages orinjuries of any type that a reader or user ofinformation contained within this manual mayencounter from the use of said information. Usethis manual and any end product or by-productat your own risk. This manual is for informationpurposes only!

All manufacturing rights reserved by author.

iv

FIRE FLOWER

Every kid at one time or another has had asquirt flower, which can be bought in any jokeshop very cheaply. The fire flower is nothingmore than the standard squirt flower filled with aflammable filler. As of this writing, I know of nomagician who has ever used this device in his orher act. I am sure this book will change that, sobe the first one on the block to try it in your act.

There is not much to constructing this device.The only things you need are a squirt flower anda flammable filler. Either 151 rum or lighter fluidworks well. However, I have found that thesesquirt flowers generally are poorly constructedand tend to leak at one or both ends of the

rubber tube where it connects to the flower orsqueeze bulb, so I prefer to use 151 rum as myfiller in the bulb. The squeeze bulb should behidden in a pocket where you can easily reach it.

Fire the device at any open flame, but a candleor lighter is best. It may take you awhile tobecome proficient at aiming the flower at acandle, but it is time well spent. Practice makesperfect, so don't get discouraged. This trick isgreat fun to play with.

While you are at the joke shop picking up asquirt flower, also buy a squirt ring. This sameeffect can also be accomplished with thisnovelty item.

Standard Joke Shop-Type Squirt Flower

Flammable Filler(use either one)

Or

This same effect can be accomplished with a squirt ring (also found in any joke shop). Itconsists of a copper ring (cut from copper tubing), a perfume squeeze bulb, and 1 /16- or1/8-inch tubing soldered on to ring.

FIRE RING

WARNING: THE EFFECTS AND DEVICES IN THIS BOOK ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE UNDERTAKENBY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY. THIS MATERIAL IS PRESENTED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

1

HAND FLASHER

The hand flasher is standard in every ma-gician's repertoire. It is a sure-fire attention getter.If you do stage magic and don't presently use oneof these devices, I highly recommend that youconsider it.

The homemade device in the accompanyingillustration is much more powerful than any handflasher I have ever bought. Treat it as you woulda gunafter all, it does fire a modified shotgunshelland check your local and state laws. Insome areas it is illegal to construct this devicewithout a license.

To make, you need a piece of schedule 40,nominal 3/4-inch-wide steel pipe, no more than 3inches in length, threaded at one end. Drill a holein the center of the pipe cap no more than 1/8inch in diameter. You will also need a 1 1/2-voltAAA battery and toggle switch.

We now come to the most important part: theshotgun shell modification. Start by opening thetop of a 12-gauge shotgun shell, pouring out thelead shot, and removing the plastic wad and gunpowder. Now place the shell in your shotgun andfire, thus disarming the primer. Remove the shelland pry out the dead primer with an ice pick(push it from the inside with the pick). You now

have a hole in the shell where the primer was.Attach a flashbulb to wire leads and insert theleads through this hole from the inside. Pour thegunpowder back in and reinsert the plasticdivider. Now insert 3/4-inch balls of flash paperin the shell and close it up. The shell is done. Putthe shell into the pipe and put the leads throughthe hole in the pipe cap. Make sure the switch isoff, then screw the pipe cap on and attach theleads to the toggle switch and battery to make acomplete circuit. Attach the toggle switch andbattery to the pipe body with electrical tape orplastic connectors. The hand flasher is complete.

The unit is compact enough to be totallyconcealed in your hand. You might hide the unitunder your coat on a bulldog clip, to be droppedinto your hand at the desired moment. To fire thedevice, point it away from any obstructions andup at a slight angle. Pull the toggle switch and thedevice will shoot a large flame up to 20 feet.

Handle with care. I have two toggle switcheswired in series on my hand flasher to avoid acci-dental firing. The second acts as an arming switch.

CAUTION: This device is intended for stageuse only and should not be used in close quarters.


2

Toggle Switch

MODIFIED 12-GA. SHOTGUN SHELL

Lead Shot Removedand Replaced withBalls of Flash Paper

Flashbulb Inset inGunpowder

Primer Removed

Leads (to toggle switch and battery)NOTE: Threads are cut into, notadded onto, pipe.

3/4" Schedule 40 Steel Pipewith Cap Screwed On(threads in cap need to bechased with a bottomingtap so cap will fully seatagainst rim of shell)

Hole in Pipe Capfor Wire Leads

NOTE: Entire shotgun shell must be taken apart for lead shot and primer removal.


3

IMPACT SMOKE BOMB

You've seen these in movies and on televisionshows for years. Every cool dude from Batman toJames West carries these around to thwart thebad guys.

Magicians use smoke bombs for stage shows.The magician throws a little silver ball on theground, and it puffs and emits a cloud of smokelarge enough to allow him to disappear off stage.The construction of this device is one of the mostclosely guarded secrets in the special effects andmagic field. You are really being let in on a majorsecret here. The great thing about this device isthat there is absolutely no fuze to light! Yousimply throw the ball on the ground, and it doesthe rest.

The illustration shows how to construct animpact smoke bomb. It is essentially a ballbearing that has paper toy caps glued (or stuckwith double-stick tape) all around it, which isthen wrapped in flash paper. Place this ball on a

piece of aluminum foil and, before wrapping thefoil around it, dump in a few spoonfuls of blackpowder. Black powder creates a huge amount ofsmoke, so you will not have to obtain hard-to-find chemicals. After you've wrapped up the foil,the bomb is ready to go.

If you want to keep this device handy, attach alength of string to the ball. Now rivet a bulldogclip to the right side of your belt. Clip the ball toit and slip on a sports coat to hide it. By pressingthe bulldog clip with your inner forearm andcupping your hand directly below the coat, youcan squeeze the the ball right into your hand.

Enjoy! I know you'll have loads of fun withthese bombs.

NOTE: Bulldog clips can be bought at anystationery store. Flash paper can be bought at anymagic shop. See the list of magic dealers inAppendix E.

Aluminum Foil

Flash Paper

Black Powder

Paper Toy Caps

Steel Ball Bearings


4

GRAVITY HOLDOUT

This heavy-duty holdout is fairly easy toconstruct, and most of the parts can be found inany hardware or furniture supply store.

You will need to buy a drawer slide, the kindfound on almost all kitchen drawers, and cut theouter metal bar shorter. To find out how much,put the bar up to your forearm. Rest the bar onyour forearm with one end up against your wrist.You will want the bar to be just slightly shorterthan the distance between your wrist and thebend in your elbow. The bar should in no wayprevent you from bending your arm freely.

Now drill two holes on each end of this barand also put two holes in the middle of a newdog collar and a watchband. Rivet the collar andthe watch band to the bar, as illustrated. Fromhere, insert the smaller slide with the wheels onone side into the bar. It should slide up and downfreely inside the bar. Slightly crimp both ends ofthe outer bar so the wheel assembly won't fallout. Affix a clip to the end of the small slideopposite the wheels. This will hold the load. Tokeep the inner slide in place until needed, you will

1. Entire assembly is made outof a drawer slide.

2. Gravity holdout watchbandand collar riveted in place.

3. Load is secured with Velcrostraps or any other similarattachment.

need to make another crimp in the outer bar justbelow the dog collar. This will allow you towedge the rear wheel into it. Don't wedge it tootight, however, as you want it to slide forwardwhen you need it. Gravity will do the rest.

To use, strap the device to your arm with thedog collar around your forearm and the watchband around your wrist. You will want to wear acoat with loose sleeves. The illustration on page 6shows one way to use the device. The basic wayis to let the load fall downward into your hand.The load may be secured either with the clip orwith Velcro. The load can be fairly heavy sincethis device will hold up under the worstcircumstances.

If you would like the holdout to trip auto-matically, you can attach springs on both sides ofthe outer bar. Connect them to the inner slide andthen push the slide rearward into the crimp. Thiswill keep the springs under tension and push theslide forward into your hand when released.

James West would be proud.

Side View


5

Below is one method of releasing theload, using gravity only, into the hand.

When using thismethod, cover thehand with ahandkerchief.


6

HOT SHOT I

This little device, a favorite of mine, is worthits weight in titanium. Imagine, at any time, beingable to produce a huge flame at your fingertips. Ihave shot a flame more than 20 feet with thisdevice. That's a real attention getter.

The device is, as are all great tricks, very simple toconstruct. You will need a metal lighter and a nasalspray bottle (the stream type, not the mist type).

First of all, you need to modify the lighter slight-ly. With tin snips, cut away one side of the grill onthe lighter so that when the lighter is lit and tilted onits side the flame is able to stay lit and point up-ward. With some electrical tape, tape the spraybottle to the lighter as shown in the illustration.

Prior to attaching as above, you will need to loadthe spray bottle with a flammable filler. Lighter fluidworks best, but I have also found 151-proof rumworks well in a pinch. To fill the bottle, work a fin-gernail under the lip of the nasal insert and pull it outof the plastic bottle, then replace the nasal tip like acork. If the insert won't come out, then you can pourlighter fluid into a cup and squeeze the empty bottleand stick it into the cup, nose first to suck up thefluid. Pull it out and point the nose up; squeeze outthe air and repeat the process until the bottle is full.

The other method of filling the spray bottle isto use a syringe. These are not always easy to buyat a drugstore unless you are a diabetic. Go toyour local co-op animal feed store and buy themthere, no problem. Most pharmacies will alsohave similar squeeze bottles designed to be easilyopened and refilled for less than a dollar.

After you have filled the spray bottle andattached it to the lighter, you are set to perform.To keep the bottle from leaking, place a piece oftape over the hole in the bottle. Or simply placethe electrical tape lower on the bottle and lightersetup and replace the original cap on the bottle.

When firing the device, I strongly recom-mend that you wear a glove. Make sure thebottle is completely full of flammable liquid.This device can be fired more than once if youwipe off excess fluid. The device becomes adanger to you at this point. Close the lighterimmediately after you fire it. Be very carefulwhen using indoors. Keep the device wellhidden in your hand so no one will go homeand duplicate it, especially kids.

Use a lot of caution and common sense. Thisdevice will pay for itself time and again.


HOT SHOT I

Metal Lighter

With snips,remove oneside of grill.

Tape

Nasal SprayBottle Filled withLighter Fluid

Spray Bottle Tapedto Lighter


8

HOT SHOT II

This device produces the same effect as the HotShot I: to shoot a stream of fire from your hand.

To construct this device, you need adisposable lighter, a large syringe, a long pieceof 1/8-inch plastic surgical tubing, a 4-inchlength of brass tubing, and a couple of plasticwire ties or some electrical tape. Using theillustration below, build the device as shown.

Fill the syringe with lighter fluid. Hold thelighter in one hand and put the syringe in thepocket on the side opposite that hand. Thesurgical tubing runs through the coat behindyour back and out your sleeve. Light the lighter,then depress the syringe, forcing out the fuelwhich is then ignited by the flame.

Fuel Line PlasticTubing

Plastic Wire Ties(holds nozzle on lighter)

Metal Nozzle

Disposable Lighter

Syringe LighterFluid Filler

To use, place the syringe in opposite pocketand run fuel line through coat to device. Toignite lighter, push syringe.


FLASH FIRE

A brilliant flash of fire any time during youract is sure to attract attention. It puts sparkle intoany performance and is simple to construct.

To construct, start by boring a slightlyoversize 3/4-inch hole through a mousetrap. Alsodo this to the top board of a wooden frame.Attach the mousetrap to the board so the holesline up. Affix the mousetrap to the board withelectrical tape or small nails.

Open a 12-gauge shotgun shell and removethe lead shot. Replace it with 3/4-inch balls offlash paper and close up the shell. Insert the shellthrough the holes in the mousetrap/woodenframe setup. Bend the fly bar on the mousetrap toform a point so it will strike primer on theshotgun shell. Cut a fly bar release peg out of a1/4-inch wooden dowel. Attach this to themousetrap as shown and pull back the fly bar.

Allow the fly bar to be held back by the peg. Alsohave a pull cord attached to the peg. At this pointthe device is ready to be fired, so use caution.

The device should be hidden in something toconceal how it works The illustration shows ithidden in a top hat. I realize that few people usetop hats in their act any more. It is just shown asan example only. I think hiding it behind a largeenough prop would work well.

Make sure, before you use the flash fire devicein any room, that the ceiling is high enough. Al-though the fire may not light the ceiling on fire, itis sure to leave a black burn marknot good PR.

This is a great little device. Build one, foolaround with it, and see how it works for you. Iuse very thin fish line as a pull cord. The lineshould be long enough to allow you to fire thedevice from anywhere on stage.

This is just one of the manyapplications of this device.


10

Mousetrap

12-Ga. Shotgun Shell(cut-away view of the

shotgun shell)

Lead Shot Removedand Replaced withBalls of Flash Paper

3/4" Hole Boredthrough Mousetrapand Frame

Mousetrap Fly BarBent to Strike Primer

on Shotgun Shell


11

SHOTGUN-SHELL DEVICES

The following three devices are used to fire a ballof flash paper into the air. Before you tamper withthe shell, it is very important that you remove thelead shot. Open the shell with a nonmetallic object,such as pencil, from the front and pour out the shot.The shell is still dangerous at this point. There havebeen many cases where people have been killed orinjured by blanks. Treat the shell as if it were stillloaded. Each of the three devices will be discussedindividually.

Figure 1 is an electrically fired shell. To makeit, you must take apart the entire shell, includingthe primer. First remove the shot. Then put theshell in a shotgun and fire it. This safely disablesthe primer. Next remove the dead primer bypushing it out from the inside with an ice pick,thus leaving a hole in the shell. Then thread thewire leads through this hole and out the otherend. Now hook a piece of fine Nichrome wire to

the leads. (Nichrome wire, usually called "SolarIgniters," can be found in hobby shops. It is usedto ignite model rocket motors.) After this, pullthe leads back so the Nichrome rests on thebottom of the shell. Now fill the shell with a littlegunpowder, about 3 to 5 grams, so the Nichromerests directly in the powder. I recommendPyrodex gunpowder. Now insert the spacer intothe shell and then a large ball of flash paper. Thepaper should fit loosely.

From here it is very important to be careful.Ensure that the switch is off, then hook the leadsto a battery and switch. I use a toggle switch, butalmost any sort of switch works. Radio Shack isyour best source for switches. You may want tofire the shell by placing it in a 3/4-inch pipe witha pipe cap. The leads will come through a smallhole in the pipe cap and then connect to thebattery and switch.

FIGURE 1NichromeWire

All three devices use 12-ga.shotgun shells.

Ball of Flash Paper

Toggle Switch


12

Figure 2 is simple to construct. After removingthe lead shot and inserting the flash paper, youwill need to poke a small hole in the plastic partof the shell. Use a nonmetallic object such as apencil. Poke the hole just above the metal into thegunpowder portion of the shell. Now insert a

fuze directly through the hole into the powder.All that is left is to light the fuze and set itupright. You may wish to have some sort of atimer to light the fuze. A simple 5-to-7 minutefuze can be a cigarette hooked to the fuze, as inthe illustration.

FIGURE 2

Cigarette5-7 Minute Delay

Ball of Flash Paper

1/16" Hole in Shell (in the plastic)

Fuze

Figure 3 is a device that is to be thrown ordropped on a hard, flat surface. Construct thebasic device as above. You then glue a BB orsmall ball bearing to the primer and connect clothstreamers to the other end. To detonate the de-

vice, throw the shell up in the air and it shouldland on the BB, which will fire the shell. Thisdevice is dangerous because you do not know inwhich direction or at which exact angle the shellwill fire. Be careful.

FIGURE3Cloth Streamers

BB Glued to Primer (use water-based adhesive, as solvents inmany glues will kill primercompunds)

Ball of Flash Paper


13

BALLISTIC CANE OR UMBRELLA

This device could be incorporated either into acane or umbrella. In the illustration the performer isshown firing a confetti load. Balls of flash papercould be substituted for the confetti.

To construct, you need to buy a length of 3/4-inchseamless tubing used in 12-gauge shotguns. A gun-smith will be able to provide you with this. (Toler-ances are fairly loose and there are innumerabledimensional specs for some types of pipe and tubing,so the best solution might be to take the shell inquestion down to the pipe shop and try it for fit. If itfits, fine; if it's too snug, take the pipe or tubing to abrake shop and have someone use a brake cylinderhone to slightly enlarge the chamber). It should beabout 20 inches long.

With this piece of tubing, the rest is easy.You also need a heavy aluminum or steel cane,which can be bought at a medical or hospitalsupply shop, and a breech plug that will fit intothe cane and be retained in place by screwsthrough the wall of the aluminum or steel caneand into the breech plug, as illustrated. Openthe shotgun shell, remove the lead shot, and

insert confetti or flash paper as the load. If youchoose flash paper, you will need to remove thewad in the shell for guaranteed ignition. It willusually light either way, but I always removethe wad. You must also glue or tape a BB to theprimer on the shell.

Insert the shotgun shell into the barrel and thenslide this tube into the cane, and you're ready to go.The only other thing that I advise is to incorporate acotter pin through the cane into the barrel and outthe other side. This will act as a safety pull pin andkeep the barrel from falling out if you do not havetwo hands on the cane. Run a key ring through theend of the cotter pin.

The ballistic cane uses a sliding "tromboneprinciple" to fire. When you slide the barrel sharplyback against the breech plug, the BB glued to theprimer fires the shotgun shell.

CAUTION: Never fire this device at or in thedirection of spectators. Even with flash paper orconfetti, this device is still a gun and will causeserious injury at close range.


14

Bicycle Grip

Trombone Principle (slidingfront barrel rearward sharplyfires cane/gun)

Closeup ofFiring

MechanismBB Taped to Primer on Shell

NOTE: Remove lead shot in shell. Replace with confetti or flash paper. Barrel3/4" SeamlessSteel Tubing


15

SLEEVE CANNON

This wonderful little crowd pleaser will wakeup any act. The cannon is basically an improvisedshotgun. It consists of a length of seamless tubingthreaded and capped on one end. For a 12-gaugeload, you need a 3/4-inch inner-diameter (ID) tube,whereas a 20-gauge takes a 1/2-inch tube.

Preparing the shotgun shell to be fired elec-trically is really simple. First open up the shelland remove everything. I mean everything: thelead shot, the wad, and the powder. Then put thisempty shell into your shotgun and fire it at theground. This will take care of the primer. Nexttake the shell out of the gun and get your trustyice pick. Put the sharp end of the pick into theshell and poke out the primer. This may take alittle force, but it will pop out.

This done, you now have a hole in the shellwhere the primer was. Run two insulated wireleads into this hole and on out the front end ofthe open shell. The leads feed through a 1/8-inchhole in the pipe cap. Connect a flashbulb to theseleads and pull the attached bulb back into theshell so it rests on the bottom of the shell close tothe primer hole. Reinsert all the gunpowder intothe shell so it covers the flashbulb. Then put backthe wadding. In place of the lead shot, put con-fetti and paper streamers. Attach these leads

coming out of the shell to the battery and firingswitch, which you have checked to ensure it's off.I also suggest an arming switch somewhere in thecircuit. Study the illustrations if you have anyquestions about any part of the above procedure.

Because the cannon is fired from the forearm,you need a special sheath. It's pretty easy to makeone. You will need some scrap leather and twoarm straps. I use a leather dog collar (yes, a newone) and a leather watch band. You will also needto snap rivet the sheath together. (Read that"snap rivet" not "pop rivet.") You will not findsnap rivets at the hardware store. Look for themat the hobby shop around the leather crafts. Theillustration shows how the cannon fits into thesheath. You may wish to attach an end strap (notshown) to keep the device in the sheath safely.

To fire the device, point it up in the air and tripthe arming switch. Grasp the push-button switchwith the free hand and push the button. POW!!!

CAUTION: Never fire this device towardpeople. Remember, you are firing a shotgun shell!At close range this device is capable of causingserious injury such as eye injury. Also do not firethis device above people's heads. The spreadpattern is the same as any shotgun shell.


16

Modified Shotshell(primer removed)

Confetti(discard lead shot)

Flash Bulb(set ingunpowder)

Leather Sheath (withforearm straps)Leads go to

oppositepocket.

3/4" Seamless Tubing withOne End Threaded andCapped (use copper or steel)

Shell in Cannon

NOTE: The odds are good that standard-dimension 3/4-inch seamless tubing is close enought to work here, but if you have problemsfitting the shell into the pipe, have the pipe modified in a machine shop or simply have a gunsmith thread one end of a piece of 12-gauge steel bore.


17

SPIT FIRE

I don't know how many of you have everfooled with flash paper before, but it's great stuff.You can find this special paper at magicianssupply stores (check the phone book or see thelist of suppliers in Appendix E).

This is a little trick I invented to pass the timeaway. You could also use this to impress friendsor your audience. All you need are a piece of 1/4-inch tubing (plastic or metal), available from yourhobby shop, and a book of flash paper about thesize of cigarette papers. Tear the pieces of paperinto fourths and roll them into little balls.

Cut and paint the tube to look like a cigarette.Place one of the flash paper balls into the tube,and you're ready to perform or amuse. Thisdevice is basically a glorified pea shooter.

I like to light a candle and shoot the paperballs through it. Flash paper will ignite into abright flame near any ignition source. As soon asthe paper ball passes through the candle flame, itshoots out the other side and looks like a minia-ture meteor. Shooting it through a lighter alsoworks well.

1/4" Rigid HollowTubing (painted tolook like cigarette)

Book of Flash Paper


18

SELF-LIGHTING MATCH

An old episode of "Twilight Zone" sparkedthis idea. The name of the episode was "The LastRites of Jeff Myrtlebank." I won't go into it, but Isuggest you watch this show to see the impact ofthis trick. The magician holds an ordinarywooden kitchen match. He concentrates on thematch, and it lights! No false moves. It's as cleanas that.

This is basically an electric match, which isused in demolitions. The illustration shows howthe device is constructed. You will need to buy asmall toggle switch, a battery, and some fineNichrome wire.

To construct the trick match, first place a pieceof the Nichrome wire around the length of thematch as shown. The middle red part of the Nich-rome needs to touch the red tip of the match. Thetoggle switch feeds through the hole you have cut

in the match box. The battery also fits into thematchbox, which, by the way, contains nomatches. This entire unit is palmed in your handwith the wire leads running down your forefingerand thumb. The match is held normally.

You could first put a cigarette into yourmouth and then fire up the match, or you couldlight a candle, etc. Once lit, you can easily blowout the match and set the entire unit down on thetable. All the audience will see from a distance isa burnt-out match and a matchbox. The thin wireleads will not be noticed.

If you have trouble getting the Nichrome tostay on the match, use some clear Scotch tape. Itwill never be noticed.

If you love magic, this trick is for you. It'sabout as close to real magic as you will ever come.People will swear you're an agent of the devil.

Wooden Match

NichromeWire(used toignitemodelrockets)

Fit Unit in Match Box

Hold up a match, and without moving your hand, thematch lights all by itself.


19

EXPLODING BALLOONS

This is one of the most dangerous items inthis book. Let me start by saying that under nocircumstances should this device be used indoors.A friend of mine who is a welder tested thisdevice for me and made the mistake of testing itin his shop. Upon detonation, a huge fireballresulted that blew out the windows in his shopand almost set his roof on fire. He damaged hishearing and almost went to jail for building abomb. Enough of my preaching against my littleinfernal machine.

This device is for use on an open outdoorsstage only. To build it, you need only a fewinnocent items.

Large round balloonFlash cubeAlarm clockWire leads with alligator clipsBook of paper matchesPetroleum jellyTank of acetylene gas (or other flammable gas)Battery (must be strong enough to ignite theflash cube)Long metal pole or antennaWood screw

The instructions on the illustration explainhow this device works. Start by making the flashcube ignitor. Remove the plastic shell from it andglue match heads around the bulb. Discard theshell. Tape the pole to the large battery. Glue ortape the flash cube to the top of the pole. Attachthe leads to the cube with the alligator clips andrun the leads down the pole.

Drill a hole in the clear plastic clock face.Insert the wood screw in this hole but don't let itreach the clock face itself. Prior to this, take offthe plastic clock face and remove the hour hand ifyou want a minute delay or the minute hand ifyou want an hour delay. Connect the rest of thewiring to make a complete circuit.

At the last minute, inflate the balloon withacetylene gas. Never transport filled balloons inyour car. If a filled balloon exploded in your carfrom a spark (cigarette, etc.), your car would beengulfed in a fireball. Put the petroleum jelly onthe inside of the neck of the balloon. This helpsform an airtight fit around the pole and wireleads once the balloon is filled.

Any sort of triggering or timing system wouldwork in place of the alarm clock delay system.This system is one of the oldest around fordetonating time bombs.


20

Large BalloonFilled withAcetylene Gas

DO NOT USEINDOORS!

RemovePlasticCasing Shell

Flash Cube

Time-Delay System(alarm clock and battery)

FILLING THE BALLOON


21

EXPLODING BALLOONS II

This simple device for outdoor use can bemade quite easily. Inflate a balloon with equalparts of helium and acetylene gas. Tie a 3-footlength of fuze to the mouth of the inflatedballoon. That's all there is to it. Release the

balloon into the night sky. It will float up into theair and explode into a large ball of flames.

CAUTION: Do not, under any circumstances,construct or use this device indoors.

Balloon Filled withAcetylene and Helium

Long Fuze (alsoacts as a stringto hold on toballoon)

Light the fuze and release. The balloonfloats up in the air and explodes when thefuze reaches the mouth of the balloon.


22

HUMAN BLOWTORCH

One of the oldest forms of magic, fire eatinghas intrigued audiences for thousands of years. Itssecrets have been passed down from generationto generation. Very few books on magic cover it,and, as usual, magicians are tight-lipped about it.Recently a few books with information about fireeating have appeared, but they are available onlyto magicians and through magic dealers. If youwant to take up this fascinating art, I suggest youcontact the magic dealers located in Appendix Eand buy some of the books listed. You won't bedisappointed.

The human blowtorch effect takes practiceand lots of guts. To do it, you need someunleaded gasoline and a nice, big open space.Small backyards and apartment balconies won'tdo! An outdoor basketball court or a dirt fieldwill work. Even standing in the middle of yourstreet is okay as long as no cars are around.

You will also need a length of wood or metaltubing. I use a wooden dowel because metal heatsup pretty quickly. Wrap the end of the rod withstrips of cotton cloth and dip it into the gasoline.

Put about half a mouthful of gasoline in yourmouth and move out of the area of the gascontainer. With a match, not a lighter, light theend of the gas-soaked dowel. Turn toward theopen space. Take a deep breath through yournose and exhale through your mouth, spitting thegasoline directly into the flame of the dowel.Close your lips and remove the dowel. Whateveryou do, don't inhale through your mouth! In fact,don't inhale at all, even through your nose, untilthe flame is out.

That's it. With practice, you can create variousflame sizes, patterns, and distances. Enjoy!

CAUTION: Always have two methods toextinguish a fire when performing this because, atsome point, you will have an accident; everyperformer does. Two fire extinguishers will work,but a fire extinguisher and swimming pool areeven better. Be prepared!

If caught in a fire, butane lighters will explodein your pocket. Thus, don't use them or havethem on your person when performing this trick.

Performer is using unleaded gasolineas the flammable substance.

Don't inhale!

23

BOTTLE ROCKET GUN

This device is great for any outdoor perfor-mances, not just for the Fourth of July. I haveused this to entertain many audiences, and theyalways enjoy it.

The entire unit is constructed from metal(brass or aluminum) pipe fittings, a toggle switch(which acts as a trigger) and a 9-volt battery, apiece of Nichrome wire (see self-lighting match

for info on this stuff), and some wire leads.Attach all the components to the pipe-shaped

gun as shown. Attach the Nichrome wire to thefuze of the bottle rocket and you're set to go.Point the gun up in the night sky and fire.

Under no circumstances should this device beused to chase cats up an alley at midnight.

Bottle Rocket

FOR OUTDOORUSE ONLY!

Tape

Gun (madecompletely frompipe fittings)

Nichrome Wire

Bicycle Grip

NOTE: Nichrome wire is readily available in hobby shops under the name "Solar Igniters." They are used to ignite model rocket engines.

24 WARNING: THE EFFECTS AND DEVICES IN THIS BOOK ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE UNDERTAKENBY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY. THIS MATERIAL IS PRESENTED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

DIGITAL TIME-DELAY WEAPON-FIRING SYSTEM

This method was developed to fire a weaponwith a time delay of up to 99 hours and 99 minutes.The system uses a countdown timer that has beenmodified slightly so that an additional electric circuitmay be incorporated. It is very simple and requiresno extensive knowledge of electronics.

The illustration shows how to make one. Firstyou remove the back of the countdown timer.Next, cut the beeper from its leads and connectthe wires from the relay and battery to these leadson the timer and the leads on the opposite side ofthe relay to the servoreceiver box. Mount themicroswitch on the side of this box so the servo-arm will be pressing down on the microswitch

lever, thus keeping it depressed. Connect thewires from the microswitch to the electric doorlock actuator on the barrel of the pistol. Use thesetup shown on page 24 for connecting theelectric door lock actuator to the pistol.

The "workings" description in the illustrationgives all the info needed for firing this system.

The relay used can be found at Radio Shack.Any hobby shop that sells remote-controlledaircraft, cars, and boats should have the servo-mechanism and receiver.

CAUTION: Always use blanks in the weapon,never live ammunition.


25

Microswitch

Servoarm andReceiver

Removebeeper fromtimer. Hookthose leads toleads on relay.

Back (with panelremoved)

Leads to ElectricDoor LockActuator (pullstrigger on gun)

ModifiedDigitalCountdownTimer

Beeper

WORKINGS

1. Always test your circuits.2. Timer counts down to zero, thus completing that circuit.3. Relay opens.4. Servo loses power and releases depressed microswitch.5. Microswitch, which had been held in off position, is now open and on.6. With microswitch on, the electric door lock actuator is activated and pulls trigger on gun.7. Gun fires.8. Most countdown timers have up to 99-hour and 99-minute delay.


PSYCHOKINETIC SCRAMBLER

OTHER METHODS FOR JAMMING

CB RadioGet your old CB radio outyou remember,

from the 1970s. Every idiot, including yourstruly, had one. Next, you need to buy a linearamplifier. Again, they are illegal to use but notthat difficult to locate. You can often find one atswap meets, flea markets, truck stops, or fromradio freaks. A CB normally puts out about 5watts, but a linear amplifier can boost this up to400 watts. With this device in place on your CB,all you need to do is key the mic and it puts outenormous and excessive RF energy. It amplifiestwo-way radio signals far beyond normal output.

Another method of jamming can be accom-plished with a Tesla Coil. This is fun to play withbut is very dangerous. It can cause majorproblems with TV and radio reception. A wordof caution: a Tesla Coil can destroy computers,erase tapes, and completely ruin all electricalequipment even if they are not plugged in. That'swhat these coils were invented to do, provideelectricity without the need for wires. One maneven told me how the coil erased the magneticstrips on the back of his credit cards. I mentionTesla Coils for academic purposes only.

Grid Dip MeterStill another method of audio jamming may be

accomplished with a grid dip meter. This piece ofequipment is used to test resonant frequencies ofcircuits or antennas. It is actually a low-power,wide-band transmitter. A grid dip meter willoverlay an audio tone over the reception of a TVor radio.

This method is one of my favorites. You cancause major irritation in your neighborhood byremoving the suppress caps from the plug leadson your lawn mower, trimmer, hedge clipper, or


27

This heavy-duty radio-jamming device, in-vented during World War I, was the only radio-jamming equipment in existence at that time. Ihave used one to jam police and fire frequencies,and radio and television reception presentsabsolutely no problem.

The jammer uses a Model "T" spark coil. Atfirst you may ask, "Where in the world can Ifind one of these?" They're easier to find thanyou may think. I can usually find them atscience supply stores, ham radio shops, orvintage-car dealers. Or you can always orderone from the J.C. Whitney Company (P.O. Box8410, Chicago, IL 60680). The coil costs aboutS40 at this writing.

The unit illustrated is built into a woodenframe that fits into a briefcase or suitcase. Twoholes are drilled into the top of the case to at-tach the two antennas. The illustration showshow to wire the jammer; the only thing not il-lustrated is the fact that the unit must begrounded. Easy enough.

This device's uses in magic should be obvious,but I will explain anyway. You mentalistsprobably figured this out already. Briefly, youhave an assistant in another room with thejammer. At the agreed-upon time, you turn onsomeone else's TV or radio. You pretend toconcentrate your mental powers on it, and, all ofa sudden, the reception is drastically disrupted.You attribute this to the powerful vibrations your

brain emits.If you really want power, connect this device

to a television tower. Set the spark gap at a largearc. You will blow away TV and radio reception

for several blocks. Radio Shack has all theequipment you need to build a nice tower.

Oh, by the way, this device is illegal to build(Federal Communications Commission

regulations, you know).

even your car. Or you can remove the suppressivecomponent(s) from items like hair dryers, electricdrills, or vacuum cleaners. Anyone in yourneighborhood who has a TV or radio on will get

rotten reception until you decide to turn off yourimprovised jammer. Attaching a simple antenna,such as a wire coat hanger, will increase the rangeof these devices.

At close range this will interfere with allreception and transmission over a broadband. Connect antenna to a television towerfor more range. Spark gap should be set at alarger arc. This device works through walls.

Entire unit is built into a briefcase or suitcase.

Model T Spark Coil

Battery 6-12 Volt(automobile battery)

Semiauto Telegraph Key(set for always sending)

Wooden Frame and Shelves

SCHEMATICOn/Off Switches (telegraph key)

6-12 Volt DC,High-CapacityBattery


FOG MACHINE AND F/X EFFECT WITHFOG MACHINE AND MOVIE PROJECTOR

A fog machine has many theatrical uses, andalthough an industrial model costs a lot, animprovised one can be constructed easily with afew tools and a little time.

To build the fog machine, you need an oldcoffee urn, a wire mesh basket that will fit intothe urn, a long piece of vacuum cleaner hose ortubing of that size, and some dry ice. Cut a holein the side of the urn and attach the hose to it.Place about a gallon of water in the urn; it shouldbe below the hose. Turn the urn on and let thewater heat up. Place the dry ice into the basket

and drop it into the hot water. Place the lid overthe urn. Instant fog will come out the end of thehose. To stop the fog, simply remove the basketof dry ice. This device will produce huge cloudsof fog and is great for stage or outdoor use.

A movie projector can be used to create theillusion of someone materializing in the fog. Aslide projector will work also.

Colored lights can be used to create coloredfog. By projecting colored light from the base ofthe stage onto the white fog, you can make thefog any color you wish.

Large Coffee Urn

Fill urn one-third full with dry ice and water.

Use colored lights toproduce colored smoke

Smoke will float downward.Use slanted stage if possible.

Stage


29

1. Lighting should be very dim.2. Projector and fog machine should

be hidden from view.

Movie Projector

Fog Machine


REMOTE-CONTROLLED WEAPON-FIRING SYSTEM

arm. The leads from the servobox connect to thebattery and the receiver. The hand-held unit con-trols it all. The entire unit and pistol fit into awooden frame that keeps the pistol barrel in ahorizontal position (wooden frame not shown inillustration). To fire the weapon, chamber around and push the lever on the hand-heldremote. The receiver gets the message, and theservo pushes against the microswitch, which, inturn, activates the electric door lock actuator andcauses the rod to pull the trigger on the gun. Thisall happens within one or two seconds.

If you would like to fire the weapon in a "fullyautomatic" capacity, you can replace the doorlock with an electric toothbrush. Remove thetoothbrush and insert a rod that is the same sizeas the brush. Connect the rod to the gun trigger.When the hand-held remote lever is pushed, thepistol will fire as in a fully automatic mode. Youmay wish to use a longer magazine so you canfire more rounds.

Semiautomatic Weapon(loaded with blanks)

Never use live ammoin any of these

weapons!

Electric Door-Lock ActuatorReceiver Hand-Held

Remote

NOTE: -auto firing, replace the

electric door-lock actuatorwith anelectric toothbrushWARNING: Federal license may berequired to construct this device.Never use live ammo in this weapon.


31

These next few devices were developed so themagician could, without being present, fire ahandgun loaded with blanks.

The first system uses an electric door lockactuator and a standard remote-controlled, hand-held unit and servomechanism, much the same asa remote-controlled toy aircraft or car. You canbuy the remote unit at almost any hobby shop. A12-volt model #2504050 electronic door lockmay be bought from Techne, 916 Commercial St.,Palo Alto, CA 94303, or from similar stores thatspecialize in security systems.

The illustration shows how to construct theunit. Tape the door lock to the barrel of the semi-automatic pistol. It must be a pistol with a fixedbarrel, such as a Ruger .22, Colt Woodsman, Hi-Standard, or similar model. The actuator rodconnects directly to the trigger assembly. Theleads from the door go to the first battery and toa microswitch (available from Radio Shack). Themicroswitch lever is directly in front of the servo-

RATTRAP CIGARETTE WEAPON-FIRING SYSTEM

This is a method of firing a weapon thatprovides a 5- to 7-minute delay. As in previousmethods, the shooter need not be present afterthe cigarette is lit.

As shown in the accompanying illustration,the pistol is set into a wooden frame. The gunis held firmly in place by wooden blocks.Behind the gun is a rattrap screwed into theframe. Remove everything from the rattrap (nota mousetrap) except the fly bar (the part of thetrap that flies over and kills the rat). Connect apiece of string from the fly bar to the base of

the rattrap nearest the gun. The fly bar shouldbe under tension so that if the string were nowsevered the rattrap would snap. Next, connectanother string from the fly bar to the trigger onthe gun. Cock the gun. All that is left is toseparate the strands on the first string andinsert a lit cigarette. The cigarette burns downthrough the string, and this in turn releases thefly bar, which pulls the trigger on the gun.

A regular cigarette burning on its own takesabout five minutes to burn down. A "100" burnsabout seven minutes.

Handgun (cocked,loaded with blanks) Wooden Frame

Lit Cigarette (5-7 minute delay)Lit cigarette burns down and throughstring. Fly bar pulls other string and,in turn, the trigger on the gun.

Rattrap (armed)


UP TO ONE-HOUR TIME-DELAYWEAPON-FIRING METHOD

This is another simple, straightforward way tofire a gun using a hands-off method.

The wooden frame in the illustration has theentire unit built into it. The gun is held in placein the cocked position with wooden blocks.From the trigger of the gun, a string runs to arattrap (not a mousetrap) set for firing (killingthe rat). The first string is attached to the flybar of the trap, and a second string attaches thetrap's trip lever to a kitchen timer set for the

desired length of time. Bolt the rattrap and thekitchen timer to the frame to keep them firm.

The device fires the gun when the stringwinds around the arm of the kitchen timer.This pulls the trip lever, which in turn pulls thespring-loaded fly bar on the rattrap and thusthe trigger.

As with all these types of devices, this weaponis very dangerous in the wrong hands. Be carefulto whom you show this.

1" Bore Wooden Frame

Handgun (cocked,loaded with blanks)

Rattrap (armed) Kitchen Timer


33

F/X REMOTE-CONTROLLED PULL/REEL

A pull has many applications in special effectswork. I will describe how this device is con-structed and give a couple of examples of how touse it.

You need to go to a hunting and fishing store(or K-Mart will do) and buy a good electric fishingreel. You will also need a remote-control unit,which consists of a servobox and a hand-heldremote-control device (hobby shop). You will alsoneed a small microswitch (Radio Shack), somewire, and a pine board on which to build it.Brackets may be bought or made from scrap metal.

Look at the illustration and you will see thedevice ready to use. Basically, the hand-heldremote control unit sends its signal to the

servobox, and the servomechanism moves andpushes the microswitch arm, which completes thecircuit. Remove the battery from the fishing reeland connect it directly to the servobox. Thefishing reel has its "reel in" button depressed andtaped in place. Once the circuit is complete, theextended fishing line is reeled in.

How could this device be used in specialeffects work? You could use it to pull some-thing across a stage. With thinner line, youcould suspend the device above the stage anduse it to levitate something light. Use yourimagination, friends; after all, I wrote this bookfor creative people.

Motorized FishingReel (batteryremoved)

Switch TapedDown in "On"Position

Hand-HeldRemote

9-Volt Battery Clip(from reel)

Servoarm and Box


TELEPHONE REMOTE-CONTROLLEDWEAPON-FUZING SYSTEM

This is quite possibly the most dangerousdevice in the book. In the wrong hands, it isdeadly. I am including it here for informationalpurposes only.

This device lets you fire any gun from anytelephone in the world. It's not at all complicatedto construct, and all of the components, exceptfor the electric door-lock actuator, may be boughtat Radio Shack. (For the address to order thisdevice, see remote-controlled weapon-firingsystem on page 31.)

Consult the illustration below as you read thefollowing description of how the system works.To fire the gun, you simply pick up a telephone(regular home, business, pay phone, cellular, orcordless) and dial the pager number. The pagerrelay station picks up the telephone message and

Relay

Electric Door LockActuator (pulls triggeron gun) Start

in turn sends out the signal that trips thepager/beeper. The pager has two leads soldereddirectly to the piezo buzzer in it (you can removethe buzzer if you wish). These leads are wireddirectly to the two leads connected to that buzzer.(Take the back off the beeper to see this.) Fromthe pager/beeper the wire leads connect to a smallrelay. On the other side of the relay are the leadsconnected to the electric door-lock actuator and asecond battery. The electric door-lock actuator inturn pulls the trigger on the gun. (Refer back topage 31 if you do not understand how this doorlock is connected to a handgun.)

This device has great potential for the specialeffects expert with an imagination, but doremember that it's dangerous when misused.

Telephone(anywherein the world)


35

SHOCKER

The shocker is for all you practical jokers outthere. It is a nonlethal way to provide a smallshock of electricity to anyone who is foolishenough to shake hands with you.

The accompanying illustrations show how toconstruct the device. You need to buy a smallstep-up transformer from a hobby shop. Hook upthe battery pack and hand unit to the transformeras shown. Connect the hand unit to a leatherglove. The most important thing to remember isto not throw the toggle switch until you have thespectator's hand in yours. If you activate the

switch and then shake hands, the device will notwork. I won't bore you with why; it's the waytransformers work. Follow the instructions to theletter. I don't want you to kill anyone.

Don't use this device on young children orelderly people. Kids will cry, and some elderlyperson may have a pacemaker that will respondadversely to your form of humor.

I prefer to shake hands with some big beef-eating oaf who wants to show the world how allmy tricks work. Shake hands to show no hardfeelings, then ZAP him.

Male/FemaleConnections for EasySleeve Hookup

Leather Glove


EXPLODED ILLUSTRATION (OF HAND UNIT)

Rubber or Leather Washers

Rubber TubingInsulation Sleeve

Leads to Transformer

NOTE: Wear gloves when using this device.


37

SHOCKER DELUXE

Let me start by saying that this device servesno purpose in magic that I can think of. Iincluded it for all you practical jokers out there.Fellow magicians probably won't use this one intheir acts, but some creative person will probablycome up with a use for it. But use with carebecause it is dangerous.

The construction of the hand unit is the sameas for the shocker previously described, but theunit providing the actual shock is quite different.Connect the leads from the glove to an 80,000-

volt stun gun. The stun gun is a device used bybouncers, cops, or anyone who shells out themoney for it to knock some troublemaker on hiscan. This device works devastatingly well. Itsmanufacturers say that no permanent damage isdone to the person you use it onother than abruised ego. Hide the stun gun in your pocketwell out of sight, and when you shake hands withyour victim, throw the switch.

This provides great laughs at parties. Somepeople say I have a very twisted sense of humor.

Shocker Glove (see shocker device on page 37)

Leads (modified to fitover stun gun rods)

Shake hands withspectator/victim. Upongrasping his hand, activatethe stun gun. 80,000-Volt Stun Gun(hidden under your

clothes or in your pocket)


SQUIB WORK

front of the real wall. I recommend this methodanyway. It's much easier to do the wiring behindthe fake wall because it is movable.

As with body shots, the squib is activatedwhen a blank gun is fired at it. Machine-gunshots work basically the same way but require amore elaborate setup. The best method involvespounding a series of nails vertically into a boardso they protrude about 2 inches. There should beone nail for each squib, and the nails should be ina straight line. Attach one wire lead from eachsquib to its own separate nail on the board. Allthe other leads are attached to a free nail, whichis not in the board. A battery is also incorporatedin this series, of course. To fire the squibs, takethe free nail and run it down the nails on theboard. This is like running a match down a wallto light it.

This device is fun to fire, but it takes hours toconstruct and the effect is over in about 3 seconds.

CAUTION: Do not fire a blank gun directlyat a human! Blanks are very dangerous. A 9mmblank fired point-blank at a person's head can belethal. Also, a blank has a very high powdercharge, and the wadding that holds the powder incan travel quite a ways. An eye can easily be putout at 50 feet.


39

A squib is a small explosive device that isattached to an actor to simulate a gunshotwound. A small plastic bag filled with fake blood(usually Karo syrup and red food coloring) isplaced over the squib, and the bag ruptures whenthe squib is detonated. To prevent the actor frombeing injured by the backside of the squib, hewears a small metal plate taped to his bodydirectly behind it.

The illustration demonstrates how the squib isplaced on the body and the wire leads are connectedto the firing box (a push-button switch and a bat-tery). Sometimes an actor will have the box hiddenon his person or out of view in his hand, or muchlonger leads that run out of sight of the camera maybe used. If the latter method is used, an assistant,usually a special-effects expert, fires the squib. Theillustration also shows how a fired squib tears openthe wearer's shirt. It feels like a firecracker going offon your body, and, basically, it is.

Squibs have many other uses in the entertain-ment industry. You could simulate a gunshot holein a wall. First you drill a hole in the wall, set thesquib in it, and run your wire leads behind thewall. Then plaster and paint the wall and you'reset. If you are working in a structure whoseowner would not appreciate holes drilled in thewalls, you will need to construct a fake drywall in

Squib Taped to ShoulderFired Squib

Metal Plate

Explosive Squib(Ready-madesquibs areavailable attheatrical supplyoutlets; seephone book orsci-fi magazines.)

Leads to FiringBox

Blood bag is taped over squib.


Back of WallElectronically Fired Squibs in Place and Ready to Be Fired

Each squib has two wire leads protruding from it. One lead from each squib goes to oneof the nails in the board. The other leads (the free ones) are all bunched together (bundleA). A single lead, which is attached to all the leads in that bundle, comes out and runs toone of the battery terminals. A wire lead runs from the opposite battery terminal to afree nail. By touching the free nail to a nail on the board, a squib is fired.


41

SQUIB VEST

A squib vest is used when an actor is going tobe riddled with pseudo bullets, such as from afully automatic weapon.

The vest is usually made of fiberglass and castfrom a mold of the actor's chest. A 1-inch hole isdrilled about halfway through the front of thevest. Then a 1/8-inch hole is drilled the rest of theway, as shown in the illustration. A squib and itswire leads are inserted into the 1-inch hole, andthe leads are run out the back, down the vest, andoff stage to the firing box. Or the actor may firethem by a hand-held control box. A blood bag isinserted into the large hole on top of the squib,and wax is used to cover the works. The actorputs his shirt on, and you're set.

Casts may also be made for other sections ofthe body, such as the back or legs, but a freesquib is usually used for arms and legs.

If you have trouble finding squibs, you canmake your own by slightly modifying a small

firecracker. First remove the fuze, then buy someNichrome wire from the hobby store. Shove themiddle of the wire into the firecracker where thefuze was. Connect the wire leads to the end of theNichrome and that's it. You now have an electricfirecracker, a squib.

Your local Radio Shack is a special effectsman's paradise. Every switch, wire, and boxneeded to do this and many other types of jobsare in one store. I highly recommend you get oneof Radio Shack's free catalogs. (No, Radio Shackdid not pay me to endorse its products.)

While we're on the subject of electronics, Iwould like to recommend Getting Started inElectronics by Forrest M. Mims, available at(where else?) Radio Shack. It is the best book onthe subject I have ever read. It is so good that it isused to train police bomb technicians in theFederal Bureau of Investigation bomb school, asare Mims' other books.


F/X BALLISTIC SQUIB VEST

Fiberglass Chest

Closeup of Pseudo BulletHole in Vest

Control/Firing Box(with battery)

Leads


43

Vest is fiberglass cast.

Side View ofVest Only

ElectricSquib

1/8" Drill(back)

Leads(to firing box)

Blood Bag

Wax

Closeup ofBullet Holes

Front View ofVest Only

Back View ofVest Only

1/4'Drill(pseudobullet holes)


F/X ELECTRONIC SQUIB I

Wire Leads

Black Powder Filler

Capsule

Nichrome Bridge Wire

Dip completed capsulein contact cement andlet dry.

F/X ELECTRONIC SQUIB II

Wire Leads

Nichrome Wire Insert(fuze removed)

Firecracker

Where to Find:Empty CapsulesHealth Food StoresNichrome WireHobby Shop (model rocket ignitors)Black PowderGun Reloading SupplyWire LeadsElectronic Supply (Radio Shack)Model CementHobby Shop or Drugstore


45

WHIZ BANG I & II

These two little toys are great fun to play withand easy to make. Kids love them, so I hope youwill use them in your act.

Whiz Bang I is a large, fully inflated balloonthat is partially filled with colored confetti, eitherpaper or metallic. I prefer metallic. Party supplierscan provide you with tons of it. If you want tomake your own, get out a hole punch and somealuminum foil. Colored foil is available aroundChristmastime.

Stuff some of this confetti into the balloon,inflate the balloon fully, and tape a firecracker toone side of it. The firecracker should have a longfuze (5 inches or so). Clamp a clothespin over theballoon mouth to prevent the air from escapinguntil you are ready to perform.

To use, simply light the fuze and remove theclothespin. Let go of the balloon and it will fly upin the air and explode. The confetti will flyeverywhere and create a spectacular sight. Iwatched the whole 1992 Democratic Conventionjust to see its whiz bang device go off.

Whiz Bang II is basically the same thing exceptit's guided to the spot where you want it toexplode, and it uses a long balloon instead of around one. Again, partially fill the balloon withconfetti and clamp the mouth closed. Tape astraw to the top of the balloon and a firecrackerto the bottom. Run a length of clear fishing linethrough the straw and attach the ends of the lineto the location where you want the balloon toexplode. That's all there is to it.


WHIZ BANG I Do not tie mouth of balloon. Keep the balloonmouth pinched until you're ready.

Large Round Balloon

Firecracker

Confetti, Coils,Glitter, etc,inside Balloon

WHIZ BANG II Monoline(anchored at both ends)

Soda Straw(taped to balloon)

Confetti (inside balloon)

Keep end open for propulsion.Pinch until ready.

Firecracker (taped to balloon)

WARNTNG: THE EFFECTS AND DEVICES IN THIS BOOK ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE UNDERTAKENBY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY. THIS MATERIAL IS PRESENTED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

47

DEATH CARDS

Death cards. I knew that title would make youlook twice. Well, what else could I call them,anyway? Their use is strictly for flash on stage orat a party.

Buy some 1/16-inch sheet steel at the hard-ware store (which, with some imagination, isanother great magic store). Cut the steel into theshape of a poker-size playing card. In my opinion,old-fashioned, bridge-size cards are for unmanlytypes. Round the edges of this rectangle with afile. Then file the corners razor sharp. Cut theedges around two poker-size playing cards andglue them to the metal plateone to the frontand one to the back. Now you have a metalplaying card.

Practice throwing this card at a wooden boardor a piece of Sheetrock. For those unfamiliar withcard-throwing, I shall attempt to explain thebasic method. In this case we will be throwing thecard vertically. Hold one end of the card betweenyour first and second fingers. Bend the wrist andelbow back slightly toward your shoulder. Veryquickly, snap your wrist and release the card atthe same time. It will whirl in a circular motionand stick in the board when it reaches it.

By the way, I don't really feel that way aboutbridge-size cards. They are a great way to learncard magic. We all learned our first sleights withthem, and they are great for people with smallhands, like me.

Wooden or Sheetrock Target


1/16" Sheet Steel Cut inShape of Playing Card

Trim edges from two cards and glueone to front and one to back.

File corners round andbevel very sharp.

Finished Product

WARNING: THE EFFECTS AND DEVICES IN THIS BOOK ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN 49BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY. THIS MATERIAL IS PRESENTED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

FLAMETHROWER

The next time you have a barbecue, whip outthis baby and show them how it's really done, orperhaps you should just bring it out at a dullmoment during your act. You'll have no need tofear any man or beast with this awesome piece ofimprovised weaponry.

A flamethrower is very simple to build. Allyou need is a can of starting fluid, a spray canpistol grip, and a flint barbecue ignitor. Thestarting fluid and the pistol grip can both be

bought at any automotive store. You will alsoneed a 1/8- by 4-inch piece of brass tubing. Set upthe device as shown in the illustration.

To use, light the wick with the flint wheel.Point the nozzle away from anything of value andsqueeze the trigger. I highly recommend that youwear a thick rubber glove when firing this device.I was very impressed with the results, but becareful with this. If it blows up, you will nodoubt lose your hand.

Wick

Spray Can Pistol Grip(found in automotive store)

Flint Wheel

Flint Barbecue Ignitor(butane lighter removed)


IGNITOR

This device is quite handy for ignitingeverything from flash pots to flash pans toanything else that requires a swift, concealedflame. I am sure you will find a use for it in yourrepertoire of fire magic.

The accompanying illustration shows acompleted device. The device is constructed froman antenna, thus making it collapsible. A flash-bulb is dipped in glue and then rolled in pow-dered match heads or flash powder. Attach thebulb to the leads as shown or use alligator clips(not shown) for simple replacement of the bulb.

This device could be placed on a stand andused to light flammable fumes. Remember,flammable liquid cannot be ignited bysubmerging the device in it. The flashbulb mustbe above the liquid. The ignitor could be placedunder your watchband and brought out to ignitea flash pan or secured farther up your arm with adog collar.

The example in the illustration is fired by using atoggle switch, but a number of methods work just aswell. Your local hobby shop or Radio Shack store

can provide a multitude of switches.You could also use a clock (alarm or digital)

to fire the device with a time delay. To attach it toa digital alarm, simply open the back of theplastic case and remove the piezo from its leads.Attach the leads from the ignitor to these. Devicecompleted. To use an alarm clock, place amercury switch on the alarm winding key and setthe alarm. Attach the leads from the ignitor to themercury switch, and the ignitor is complete. Thissetup will fire when the alarm goes off and thealarm winding key tilts the mercury switch, thuscompleting the circuit.

The device could also be fired by remotecontrol. Attach the leads from the ignitor to amicroswitch. Depress the servomechanismagainst the microswitch to fire the device. Aservomechanism, complete with hand-heldcontrol unit, can be found in any remote-controlled car, boat, or plane. The servo unitscan also be bought separately from a goodhobby shop for a lot less than the complete toymodel.

Device Strapped toForearm with Dog Collar


51

Flashbulb Dipped in GlueThen Rolled in PowderedMatch Heads

A Portable, Collapsible Ignitor for Usein Igniting Flash Pots or Flash Paper

Antenna (collapsible)

Leads

Tape

Battery PackToggle Switch


LIT CANDLE FROM COAT

I could have marketed the following trick andmade a mint, but I thought I would throw it inthis book because it is so neat. This is the leastdangerous of all the fire devices in this book, butyou'll probably use it in every show.

We all know how the original "candle from thecoat" works. Remember the match stuck down be-side the wick and then struck on a striker insideyour coat just prior to bringing it out, like striking agiant match? Well, friends, my new and improvedmethod makes this old way obsolete. And it is muchsafer. I also can boast that, although most tricksdon't, mine works every time!

Through the miracle of space-age materials,we now have the disposable plastic lighter, and

that, along with a 12-inch piece of plastic PVCtubing, is all you need to construct this device.You need to cut a notch in the tube at one end toallow you to light the lighter. Once the notch iscut, shove the lighter in the tube and make surethe flint wheel and butane button rest in thenotch. With this done, you now have what willpass for a self-lighting candle. Place this candle inyour left inside breast pocket, and you are set toperform. During your act, reach in your coat, pullthe coat away from your body with your lefthand, light the lighter, and pull out the pseudocandle. The audience will think you have justpulled a lit candle from your coat. Quiteimpressive.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRICK CANDLE

1" Notch Cut in Pipeto Allow You toLight the Lighter

FrontCut-Away View

Disposable Plastic Lighter(wedged in pipe)

White PVC Plastic TubingNOTE: To keep the lighter lit, yourthumb continues to depress thebutane button. Or you can run a wirefrom the butane button verticallydown the back of the tube, so afterthe initial light, you can grab the baseof the candle along with the wire.The candle stays lit automatically. Back

Cut-away View


53

FLASH POTS AND FLASH PANS

Every magician should be familiar with flashpots and flash pans because they have many usesin stage magic. The two devices shown in theillustrations are the most reliable electronic flashunits you can build.

The flash pot contains two flashcubes inset intothe bowl and covered with flash powder. Each cubeis connected to a separate power system (only oneis shown in the flash pot illustration), so you have aback-up firing system in case one fails. The deviceis fired with a toggle switch. Always use aflammable powder, not liquid, in the pot. Flashpowder is best. If you use gun powder, use blackpowder, not smokeless powder.

Nothing will get your spectators' attentionfaster than a fire trick, and a flash pan is just the

device to accomplish this. Again, this device usestwo independent firing systems in case one fails.Dip each of the flash cubes in glue and then rollin match heads. Use a toggle switch to fire eachdevice and a flammable liquid, such as lighterfluid. Saturate the bottom of the pan just prior toits use. Glue a piece of heavy cardboard to half ofthe inside of the pan to soak up the lighter fluid.The flash pan itself is usually made of brass.

The flash pan can be fired using methodsother than electronic ignition. You could also usea sparkless chemical mixture. There are manychemical mixtures that result in spontaneouscombustion when two chemicals are broughttogether, but hypergolic mixtures are not reliable,so I strongly discourage their use in magic.


TOP VIEW TOP VIEW

Battery Lighter Fluid

Flash Cubes Insetin Flash Powderin Metal Pot

Toggle Switchesand Batteries

Flash Cubes(with matchheads glued on)

FRONT VIEW FRONT VIEW

Both of these devices use two independent systems; in case one fails, you have a backup.

f. THE EFFECTS AND DEVICES IN THIS BOOK ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN*Y TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY. THIS MATERIAL IS PRESENTED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

55

ESCAPE TOOLS

The following escape tools are extensions forkeys to reach those hard-to-get-at locks and tocut yourself free from ropes.

The first tool is made from a gun-cleaning rodintended for large-caliber guns. The blade-holding chuck of the rod is modified to hold ahandcuff key or a small knife blade. The tipcomes from an X-ACTO knife. It screws rightonto the end of the rod. The rods may be hiddenon your body or in a box or bag from which youare attempting to escape. This tool will allow youto open some difficult locks.

The second escape tool is made from a car or

radio antenna. Remove the round head on theantenna and split that end in two. Insert ahandcuff key in this split and epoxy it in place.You also need to flatten the antenna slightly withpliers or in a vise. This will prevent the tubesfrom rotating inside each other, and the handcuffkey will now stay in place. On some antennas,the last rod is only a piece of wire and will notflatten. In this case, you will need to remove thiswire and split the second tube (or rod). Thisescape tool is used much the same way as thefirst, as an extension to reach a lock. The antennacould also be bent to reach the lock.

Gun-Cleaning Rods

X-ACTO Knife Screw-On Tip

Shackle andHandcuff Key

X-ACTO Bladefor Rope Release

Defeating the Belly Chain ShackleRelease


Crush antenna with pliers, thuspreventing the metal tubes fromrotating inside each other.


157

Affix a handcuff key to the end of antenna.

ESCAPE TRICKS

BOXES AND SUCH

If you are going to be nailed inside a box,barrel, coffin, etc., that for some reason cannotbe gaffed, consider the following idea. Secure onyour person or gain access to a small-car jack,e.g., the type used on compact cars. I have onesmall enough to carry strapped to my leg. Thejack comes into play once you are nailed in the

box. Simply set up the jack and pry the boxapart. This may make a little noise so take thatinto consideration. Loud music can take care ofthat problem.

HANDCUFFS AND CHAINS

Various methods exist for escaping from hand-cuffs and chains. One is to hide a small pair of

A small automobile jack aids the escape artist in freeing himself from the crate. This works equally well onbarrels, coffins, etc. A car jack can be used to open any door by simply spreading the door jam.


This easily constructed device allows you to openevery type of police and prison handcuff and legiron used in the United States.

X-Ray View of Ratchet(aka, locking dog)

Device/Shim (opens the cuffsby separating the ratchet)

NOTE: Place asmall solder plugover the "pushlock" hole on theside of the cuff toprevent the cuffsfrom beingdouble locked.

Shim is made from a piece of tapemeasure metal cut to exact size. Itcould also be made from a piece ofmetal from a wind-up clock spring.

'ARNTNG: THE EFFECTS AND DEVICES IN THIS BOOK ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE UNDERTAKENBY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY. THIS MATERIAL IS PRESENTED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

59

bolt cutters on your body or within your reach.This may sound difficult, but it really isn't. Again,you may wish to strap them to your leg. Theymay also be hidden in a false panel in your boxor behind a double curtain. Another way of usinga small pair of bolt cutters would be to have anassistant hide them in his coat. Have him holdone bar under his arm and the other bar in hishand (the pocket should be cut out). He willstand with both hands in his pockets. Your job is

to get close enough to him to let him cut thechain between the cuffs. Once it is cut, you stillkeep both hands together pretending that nothinghas happened.

Another method would be to switch cuffs.You have to use an assistant for this.

To obtain keys to any police handcuffs, go toa police uniform and supply shop. These shopscan be found in the yellow pages of any large city.Tell the clerk that you are a security guard and

The Secret: Nail Clippers

A small pair of nail clippers is easilyconcealed inside your watchband or tuckedinside your belt. Nail clippers cut throughthese ties like a hot knife through butter!


have lost your handcuff keys or that you justwant to buy a key. But look the part of a guard.Short hair and a shave are musts. I have neverhad any trouble using this method. Another goodplace to buy handcuff keys is a pawnshop. Theyusually have all sorts of handcuffs and assortedkeys. Many jewelry keys will fit handscuffs as isor can be easily modified to fit. Good places tohide the keys prior to an escape are in the seamsof your clothing or in your hair.

Handcuffs can also be opened with a shim. Apiece of metal from a tape measure is perfect.With tin snips, cut the metal about 1/8-inch wideand about 5 inches long. This piece of thin,flexible metal is pushed down to pry the teethapart and slide the cuff open.

An interesting method that uses a commonwriting pen, the type with a metal refill carridge,comes to us from a prisoner. With tin snips ornail clippers, you cut the nonwriting end to forma small handcuff ke. Keep this hidden in the penbody and use the pen as normal.

PLASTIC TIES

Cops call them "flexicuffs." They were devel-oped to harness wires together, but somehow theymade their way into the law enforcement com-munity. When used correctly, they are difficult toescape from. The only obvious way to get them offis to cut them, but they can be opened by pushing asafety pin into the opening of the closed tie, pryingopen the tongue, and sliding the other end out.

Another method for releasing yourself is tohave them placed on backwards. They still makethat little clicking noise, although not as loud. Inthis situation, they will slide back open with no

effort. This one really works well.Yet another method is to hide a pair of nail

clippers on your person. They will cut rightthrough the plastic ties in an instant, or if thesituation permits, a cigarette will readily melt aflexicuff in two.

STRAITJACKETS

The following is a wonderful method forreleasing yourself from any straitjacket in aninstant. Palm a single-edged razor blade as youare being tied into the jacket. Once you are alone,cut the area along the seam of the jacket. Yourhand will automatically be right there. Cut thestitched area under the arm and on around theshoulder. This done, you can free your arm andsimply unstrap the jacket. If the trick requiresthat your jacket be inspected later, you could sewup the shoulder with needle and thread or simplyswitch jackets.

The cutting the seam method works equallywell on canvas mail bags, which are sometimesused to secure people. Simply cut out the bottomseam once you

magician's arsenal, professional tricks of the trade

Documents

appendix ahow

escape tricks

magicians escape

escape tools

flash powder

firing method

flash pots

flash pans