Close Up Pad

[AJM]

I'm looking for a decent close-pad with a wooden base although I'm not having much success with my search.

Can anyone recommend a good maker/supplier, UK based if possible?

Cheers

Andrew

[erdnasephile]

Andrew:

Are you looking for one with a visible wood frame around it or do you just need a hard back so you can flip the pad over to do dice stacking, etc.?

[Richard Kaufman]

Dan and Dave sell a very nice (albeit expensive one). Saw it at MAGIC Live:

http://shop.dananddave.com/supplies/magic-surface.html

The aluminum one (looks like an oddly shaped iPad) costs much less:

http://shop.dananddave.com/supplies/aluminum-pad.html

[Krenz]

JM Authentics is located in Birmingham, UK.

Although he doesn't list wood, he makes custom pads—so tell him your needs.

http://jmauthentics.com

[Doug Thornton]

Not a mat but beautiful work. (Also not based in the UK.)

http://www.subdividedstudios.com/elite% ... ables.html

[performer]

I rarely use a close up pad but if I really need one I use an old carpet sample.

[erdnasephile]

Here's a couple:

https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic ... and-stand/

http://www.theambitiouscard.com/aitem.cfm?itemid=12

[AJM]

Some very good options there - thanks all.

Andrew

[Ian Kendall]

I'll second Jordan's work at JM Authentics. Don't let the picture of Madison on the front page put you off.

[AJM]

Hi all

Anyone know if JM Authentics is still up and running - I've emailed Jordan a few times although have not yet had a response.

Cheers

Andrew

[Krenz]

Anyone know if JM Authentics is still up and running - I've emailed Jordan a few times although have not yet had a response.

He did make a recent post on Facebook about catching up on correspondence, so you may want to check in with him again (I suspect he is swamped with requests):

https://www.facebook.com/JMAuthentic/po ... 8827212164

[AJM]

Thanks Krenz.

Andrew

[Pete McCabe]

Buy a pad and a wooden picture frame. Take the glass/plastic off the frame and put in the pad. I just made one with a $25 frame from Michael's (art supply store) that came out very nice.

[I.M. Magician]

Great idea Pete! I am going to do just that. I need one of those but don't want to go into hock to acquire one. I have an extra brand new close-up pad and a Michael's nearby.

[Will Jung]

I've seen a pad by James Kellogg that looks pretty nice:

http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S17822

[AJM]

That's great Will, thanks, looks like it's just what I'm after. May just go for one.

The DIY option suggested by Pete also sounds good, I might actually have a go at making one.

[erdnasephile]

Andrew:

If you are going the DIY route and need a custom sized pad, may I recommend: http://www.pattricksmagic.com/

Pattrick's mats are best I've ever seen (I own 3) and he is very easy to work with. He can also do custom embroidery and logos.

[AJM]

Thanks very much erdnasephile - I've been thinking more of going down the 'home-made' route, it does seem to be the most cost effective.

I had been thinking about how I would get the pad / frame to match in size and I think you've given me the answer.

Cheers

Andrew

[Pete McCabe]

I used one of Pattrick's mats for my latest and it's excellent.

Note: Most mats have rounded corners. If so you will have to cut it down to square the corners for the frame. Take that into account when you pick a size.

[Krenz]

Most mats have rounded corners. If so you will have to cut it down to square the corners for the frame. Take that into account when you pick a size.

If you order from Pattrick, he can make any size you specify, and he can square the corners or round them, as desired.

[Bob Farmer]

I have one of his pads and they're great.

[Richard Kaufman]

I bought a 24 inch round close-up mat for my Tenyo table from Pattrick and it's great. Highly recommended!

[performer]

Close up pads are only useful for formal close up shows. If there are such things of course. In most cases I find them quite impractical. Certainly for impromptu work where you do magic everywhere and anywhere you can't wander about with one of those silly mats. But there are very few tricks where you actually need one anyway. The three shell game is one example. The bloody svengali deck is another one. I have to use some sort of cloth surface for that particular trick because of the nature of my wondrous routine.

I suppose you could use one for restaurant work as it gives you some space on the table but for the hassle of carrying one of those stupid things around with you I don't think it is worth it.

I have always had an antipathy to those horrible things since I was a kid doing magic. I must have been traumatised by several awful magicians using one when I was young and it has biased me against them.

[Bob Farmer]

I've used Mark Lewis as a close-up pad for my six-phase dice stacking routine and he worked very well, but bruises easily.

[performer]

I've used Mark Lewis as a close-up pad for my six-phase dice stacking routine and he worked very well, but bruises easily.

Oh, I think you bruise far more easily than I do. People who know you tell me that you can be very thin skinned indeed. You can give it out but cannot take it. In fact at this very moment as you are reading this your temper is beginning to rise. I am psychic and know these things.

[billmccloskey]

Man, it seems like yesterday rather than 18 years ago when Mark first threatened to sue me. What was it, some Yahoo magic group I think. This has to be the record for the longest running joke in magic.

[performer]

Man, it seems like yesterday rather than 18 years ago when Mark first threatened to sue me. What was it, some Yahoo magic group I think. This has to be the record for the longest running joke in magic.

You must be confusing me with someone else. I have never threatened to sue you and I have never been on a Yahoo Magic group. Moreover 18 years ago I did not own a computer and had no idea what the internet was.

And I am actually a fan of yours. I always have been since I saw you on the magic cafe getting annoyed with the idiots there. I think it was something to do with people attacking Harry Lorayne.

Sorry. You are confusing me with someone else.

[billmccloskey]

Sure I am Mark. You keep me laughing.