Disecto gone wrong?

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David Prouty
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Disecto gone wrong?

Postby David Prouty » October 28th, 2011, 8:43 am


Andrew Martin Portala
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Andrew Martin Portala » October 28th, 2011, 10:56 am

It wasn't a Disecto .

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Richard Kaufman » October 28th, 2011, 11:13 am

At least he wasn't some nutty magician.
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Steve Bryant
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Steve Bryant » October 28th, 2011, 11:24 am

There's a shocking guillotine incident in the new Persi Diaconis book. Hope it doesn't give people ideas.

Andrew Martin Portala
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Andrew Martin Portala » October 28th, 2011, 11:37 am

They were both nutty.

Jim Riser
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Jim Riser » October 28th, 2011, 11:59 am

One of the big problems with making and selling such toys is the product liability. You never know when some unstable person will obtain one of your creations and misuse it. Finger, arm, and head choppers of any design are a lawsuit waiting to happen. These things can be very dangerous in the hands of the wrong person. Perhaps tests for mental stability should be required before purchasing - or at the minimum that a performer will actually rehearse.
Jim

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Richard Kaufman » October 28th, 2011, 12:09 pm

The blades on magicians' guillotines and finger chops aren't sharp at all, are they? They should be completely dull. What dope would have a sharp blade?
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Dave Dorsett
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Dave Dorsett » October 28th, 2011, 12:29 pm

No,, they're not sharp- many have a "false edge" ground along the side to look like a cutting edge. BUT... a metal blade of any significant size either dropping from a height or being pushed violently down is likely to cause a great deal of damage.
Dave
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JFox
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby JFox » October 28th, 2011, 6:34 pm

The fact that Abbotts still sells legit "animal traps" to any little kid - for them to stick their hand (fingers) into...is a little strange (in these sue-happy times).

The springs aren't weakened, and it CAN give a nasty whack to one's fingers - if not done properly. Of course, the the "blades" are smooth, not sharp...but still.

But, then again, I have never heard of any accidents or broken fingers occuring with such traps.

Accidents & cut wrists with a Disecto...now THAT'S a different story! (Disecto featured, btw - in this month's MUM: Paul Osborne column)

El Harvey Oswald
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby El Harvey Oswald » October 28th, 2011, 11:05 pm

"One of the big problems with making and selling such toys is the product liability. You never know when some unstable person will obtain one of your creations and misuse it. Finger, arm, and head choppers of any design are a lawsuit waiting to happen"

And yet we are still waiting for the torrent of lawsuits. In fact, there is no "big problem" with liability as to the great majority of magicians' guillotines because, despite the illusory appearance of danger, they aren't in fact dangerous, particularly not of "any design."

Jim Riser
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Jim Riser » October 29th, 2011, 1:09 pm

El Harvey Oswald;
You live in a fantasy land. The lowly finger chopper can inflict injury. The larger form of it made as a wrist chopper can do serious damage to a wrist. The still larger Lester Lake style can do even more damage. The Will Rock style can really do a number.

As I said above and you chose to ignore:
These things can be very dangerous in the hands of the wrong person. Perhaps tests for mental stability should be required before purchasing -or at the minimum that a performer will actually rehearse.

Your uninformed opinion has little to do with the real world. If you think I am wrong, just go to an insurance agent and tell him that you are going to build/sell "choppers" and want product liability insurance. Be sure that you are seated when you get the quote. Insurance companies recognize the potential problems that you can not seem to see.

This makes me wonder if you even know how such toys work let alone if you have ever used any in a thoughtful manner.

They can be very dangerous. Fortunately most injuries have been minor but in the wrong hands, serious injuries can result.
Jim

Anthony Vinson
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Anthony Vinson » October 29th, 2011, 2:22 pm

Disarming!

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John M. Dale
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby John M. Dale » October 29th, 2011, 8:46 pm

I heard a follow-up to the original story.

Apparently, when they found the "elaborate homemade guillotine", a female police officer accidentally backed into the device.


Disaster!!! :/

(Let the groaning begin.)

JMD

Dale Shrimpton
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Dale Shrimpton » November 3rd, 2011, 8:37 am

I had an accident with a Disecto once.

It fell off the top of the cupboard where i stored it, and the pointy bit of the blade imbedded it's self into my right arm, hitting the bone. I cant tell you how much it hurt!

and the cheap Indian disecto finger chopper some dealers hold.. the blades on them can be quite dangerous, as they use very thin steel, so they act a bit like a razor blade. ive seen one slice open a finger.

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Pete Biro
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Pete Biro » November 3rd, 2011, 4:25 pm

I guess the jerk couldn't fit his head into it.
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El Harvey Oswald
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby El Harvey Oswald » November 3rd, 2011, 8:49 pm

And where are all the lawsuits you refer to, Jim?

Brad Henderson
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Brad Henderson » November 3rd, 2011, 9:18 pm

I know my insurance carrier had to settle a guillotine related claim, though beyond that the details were not disclosed

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Richard Kaufman » November 3rd, 2011, 9:31 pm

I can imagine that there have been accidents with magicians' guillotines in the past, but if they were numerous, no magic company would manufacture one, and no magician would perform it, because everyone would be scared chitless.
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Jim Riser
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Jim Riser » November 3rd, 2011, 10:45 pm

El Harvey Oswald wrote:And where are all the lawsuits you refer to, Jim?


El Harvey;
What the hell is wrong with you? Read my original post. Pay attention. I said that they were a law suit waiting to happen not that there were pending law suits. Can you read and comprehend English?

What was the product liability price quote you received to cover making/selling such items?

When you injure some spectator with such a device (due to your inability to comprend written material such as instructions), then perhaps you will see one of the law suits close up.

Sheesh.
Jim

El Harvey Oswald
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby El Harvey Oswald » November 3rd, 2011, 11:11 pm

Just curious how long you've been pretending to be a lawyer and offering overheated legal analysis, Jimbo?

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Richard Kaufman » November 4th, 2011, 12:14 am

Cut it out, please.
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Jonathan Townsend
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby Jonathan Townsend » November 4th, 2011, 2:52 pm

Andrew Martin Portala wrote:It wasn't a Disecto .


I thought part of the design was to make sure it would be difficult to have such accidents.

No comment about the Guillotine beyond asking folks to recall the fate of the doctor/inventor.

David Oliver
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Re: Disecto gone wrong?

Postby David Oliver » November 4th, 2011, 3:28 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:Cut it out, please.


"Cut" it out, please.

I get it.

Clever... or is that... cleaver?
- DO


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