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DIY, Makers & Builders in Magic & Conjuring

Naturally magicians are good with their hands. This often means they are very good with building and making things. There is a long tradition of magicians building their own props and gimmicks.

In this topic we list products where you will need to roll up your sleeves, prepare your tools, and make something.

related topics: Illusions, Escape & Stage

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A. Anderson
How to Make Magic Toys by A. Anderson

Containing full directions for making magic toys and devices of many kinds.

  • Jumping Jack
  • The Magic Mouse
  • The Indian Tumbler
  • The Dancing Dolls
  • The Skip-Jack
  • The Magic Cube Box
  • The Weather Prophets
  • The Rooking Ship
  • The Prancing Horse
  • The Automatic Tumblers
  • The Spring-board Dancing Sailor
  • The Automaton Smoker
  • The Bottle Imp
  • The Magic Candle
  • Dancing Marionettes
  • The Camera Obscura
  • The Magic Lantern
  • The Ludion
  • The Salamander, or the Dancing Ring
  • The Fountain Top
  • The Zoetrope
  • The Praxinoscope
  • A Magic Microscope
  • How to See Through a Brick Wall
  • To Show that Rays of Light do...
$10
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PDF

Abhinav Bothra
SharPen by Abhinav Bothra

Phase I - Bite off the pen nib and spit it back on. Immediately, open the refill compartment, let the spectator touch the nib.

Phase II - Make the refill rise out of the pen.

Bonus - A Russian Roulette with pens, where spectators select the pens to be smashed. The whole effect is totally under the performer's control.

The video will explain you how to gimmick a pen. No special pen is needed.

1st edition 2013, 12 minutes

★★★★★ $0
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MP4 (video)

Alexander de Cova
Locked Books 01: The Invisible Topit by Alexander de Cova

An improvement on the classic TOPIT device.

For years many have been using the TOPIT gimmick. Michael Ammar made the sewn-in-type TOPIT popular. All those years Alexander de Cova was always thinking whether it might be possible to hide the bag (or better: the bag's opening and the edge) in the jacket. After becoming acquainted with the works of Tommy Wonder and his breakthrough concerning the tails TOPIT, things clicked together.

Tommy's system inspired de Cova to apply the principle to a regular TOPIT. The result is that this TOPIT can't be seen, because there is no visible edge.

In this ebook de Cova...

$19.95
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PDF

Arthur Good
Magical Experiments by Arthur Good

The best way of learning new things is doing them. Magical Experiments or Science in Play is a fascinating collection of kitchen table top experiments with every day household goods. Many of which have a 'magical' twist to them, in the sense that it is for the unfamiliar observer not quite clear how these tricks are performed, or what the physical mechanisms behind them are. More than 150 experiments are described with gorgeous lithographs. This book was originally written in French and later translated to English. This in itself is a proof of quality, otherwise the translation would not have...

★★★★★ $7
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PDF & EPUB

Chris Wasshuber
52 Standard American Card Faces by Chris Wasshuber

You will receive 52 vector graphic files in SVG and EPS (encapsulated post script) format. Each file holds the design of a face of a card from a standard deck of cards. These faces are for example used in Bicycle cards from USPCC, but can be found in many other brands and non-brand decks. All cards from Ace to King in all four colors, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades are represented. There are no jokers and no backs included.

Each card is a vector graphic and can therefore be altered and modified in any way you like without loss of quality. You will need a vector graphic tool like the free...

★★★★ $15
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SVG

Chris Wasshuber
Magician's DIY Tips and Tricks by Chris Wasshuber

This is a collection of money saving tips and tricks for the magician. I have been raised with a DIY attitude. Over the decades I have collected tips and tricks to make an expensive dealer item for a few dollars, or to replace something with a cheap item from the hardware store. If you are not afraid to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, then you will find a lot of useful tips in this ebook.

With contributions by Jack Poulter, Wilhelm Eberhard, Chuck Smith, Bruce Kalver, Jeff Stone, Robert Kaldy-Karo and Scott Xavier. This PDF will be updated periodically as I discover new tips and tricks. Every customer will get access to all future updated...

★★★★ $15
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PDF

Chris Wasshuber
Crymp: the RFID-blocking Origami Wallet with Closure by Chris Wasshuber

Crymp is an origami wallet (no gluing or sewing) that you can fold in a matter of a few minutes. With some practice, one can do it in under a minute. The unique feature of the wallet is that it has a closure. A specially designed plastic piece, roughly the size of a credit card, is inserted in such a way that it locks in place so that it cannot fall out or be pulled out during normal usage. It allows a rubber band to be semi-permanently linked to the wallet. This makes opening and closing the wallet very easy because the rubber band can't be lost. One can let go of it and it remains attached...

$29.90
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gadget & PDF

Claude Klingsor
Miracles of Modern Magic by Claude Klingsor

For me personally these lecture notes have been a real treat - something I enjoyed tremendously reading and getting my creative juices flowing. This is an ebook on enabling miracles with electronics. Magicians have always used the latest technology to create their wonders. Claude Klingsor from Belgium has specialized in using electronics to create miracles.

This is a magic ebook for engineers, inventors and tinkerers. The fact that these notes were written in the late 80s means that you won't find any microcontrollers, but that is also the charm of this ebook. The circuits are very easy to...

$15
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PDF

Craig Matsuoka
The Gaff Factory: A comprehensive dry-mounting tutorial by Craig Matsuoka

Making dry-mounted gaffs just got a whole lot easier!

This new 80 page ebook introduces you to the wonders of dry mounting tissue (a.k.a. "DMT"). What's DMT? It's an adhesive that lets you make gaffs that look, feel, and snap like a normal card. If all you've ever known are rubber cement, sprays, and glue sticks, then you've been missing out big-time. This book will open your eyes.

On the other hand, perhaps you heard of DMT, but never bothered to try it because the equipment costs turned you off. Or maybe you gave up on it after getting horrible results with a clothes iron. Well, it's...

★★★★ $20
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PDF

Dave Arch
Electronic Buzz Box by Dave Arch

Although you can find versions of these Electronic Monte boxes for sale on magic websites, I could not find one large enough for my needs nor one that included a buzzer (not just a light). So I built my own. In spite of the fact that my electronic knowledge only involves the ability to insert a plug into an outlet, I built my own the first time in under an hour for around $20.

The premise is simple. From among multiple buttons, you win if you can find the button that lights the light and sets off the buzzer. With the diagram included in my instructions you aren't limited to only three buttons...

$10
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PDF

Dave Arch
Craft Store Conjuring by Dave Arch

In the absence of a brick-and-mortar magic store in your area, you no doubt already have discovered the inspirational riches for the magician that exist within the walls of a Hobby Lobby.

From 2019 to 2023 Dave Arch authored a column in the IBM's Linking Ring magazine sharing one of his ideas each month. This ebook is now a compilation of those columns as well as enough extras to bring the total to 90+ different ideas from nearly every section of the store and every magic genre.

  • Hypno Gum
  • Hypno Stick
  • Headline Prediction
  • Step Right Up!
  • She Loves Me ... She Loves Me Not
  • Mental Epic ...
★★★ $20
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PDF

Devin Knight
Gyrater: Floating and Spinning Deck by Devin Knight

The performer has a card selected, no force, and returned to the deck. The deck is shuffled and 7 or 8 cards are dealt face down into an arc shape. The performer introduces his card case and says this is his pet, CASEY. Casey is well trained and can find selected cards. That is because he is a pointer. (Pun Intended.) The performer holds the card case above his hand and says, "Casey stay." The card case remains suspended in the air. The performer says, "Chase your tail." The deck revolves 360 degrees in the air. Performer says, "Play dead," the card case drops into his hand.

The performer...

★★★ $5
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PDF

Dr. John D. Bain
Multiplying Golf Balls by Dr. John D. Bain

You will not only learn the classic multiplying ball effect but also how to make the necessary props yourself, and in particular how to make the most important half-shell yourself.

The perfection of the effect does require skill, but the ardent practitioner will achieve success without great difficulty.

Excerpt from the Introduction:

My favorite magic trick involving the use of balls has always been the Multiplying Ball Trick. Here is a tutorial book that will show you how to secure the materials that are needed to make props for the trick and then how to perform the effect. I have...

$2.99
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PDF

Dustin Marks
103 Tips and Resources for Magicians by Dustin Marks

This ebook will save you time and money. It is a quick read and has tips you have not seen. Good resources for professionals and lots of information for beginners. Learn how to use Siri or Alexa for practice. Use Notion to keep a database of your tricks. Learn magic principles, magic utilities, memory tips, links to everyday props on Amazon and more. It's a great reference book to all things magic.

  • Tip #2 Learn the secret to never forget a good idea you have.
  • Tip #7 Learn which database to keep track of your routines and effects.
  • Tips 8, 9 and 10. Learn tricks on how to remember your...
★★★★ $4.95
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PDF

E. W. Bud Morris
Magic with Electronics by E. W. Bud Morris

Bud Morris had a creative mind. In this collection of effects he demonstrates how a bit of electronics allows you to perform miracles and entertain your audience.

  • Bud Morris … Who's He?
  • The Brain Wave Lamp
  • Oriental Caddy
  • Way Out-Er Limits
  • E.S.P. And The Joker Is Wild!
  • Mystic Black Ball
  • Remote Control Table
  • The Wheel Of Thought
  • Skull-Duggery
  • Electronic Equipment
1st edition 1973, 17 pages; PDF 27 pages.
★★★★ $7
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PDF

E. W. Bud Morris
More Magic with Electronics by E. W. Bud Morris
  • "S.O.S." Triangle
  • Dance Of Death
  • How's Your Bird?
  • The Tattle-Tale Heart
  • Return To Boggart’s Inn
  • The Laughing Skull
  • Train To Nowhere
  • A.K. Cassette - Improved
  • Electronics In Mentalism
  • Source Section
  • Final After-Thoughts

Note that this digital edition does not include the reprint of the first volume. The first volume is available separately here.

1st edition 1975, 59 pages; PDF 54 pages.

$12
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PDF

Eugene E. Gloye
Fantastic Tricks with Plastic Cups by Eugene E. Gloye

Many magicians get their greatest pleasure out of making their own tricks - and there is no form of construction easier or less costly than working with plastic cups. For the man who likes to make his own - no workshop is needed for these easy to construct effects. Over thirty tricks you can make for pennies each. Good magic, low cost. Illustrated.

  • The fake bottom cup
  • Variations of the fake bottom cup
  • The cup with a secret compartment
  • The foo cup

1st edition 1976, 52 pages; digital edition 2012, 42 pages.

★★★★ $6.95
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PDF

Eugene E. Gloye
More Fantastic Tricks With Plastic Cups by Eugene E. Gloye

Thirty more excellent effects with plastic cups.

  • Introduction
  • Rationale For Using Disposable Cups
  • Folding Or Collapsible Cup
  • Vanishing Cup Of Liquid
  • Additional Folding Cup Ideas
  • Improved Foo Cup
  • Fake Bottom Cup
  • Foo Cup, Continued
  • Vanishing Omelet
  • Transformation Tricks With Eggs
  • Baking Tricks
  • Baking Cup Cakes In Paper Bag
  • Cake In Hat
  • Egg Shampoo
  • Using The Foo Cup For Changes
  • Production Cups
  • Productions Using One Cup
  • Funny Routine With Fruit Punch
  • Thrilling Rice Production
  • Shades Of The Coffee, Milk, And Sugar Trick
  • Magic With New Transparent Solo Cups
  • Liquid Appear Outfit ...
★★★★★ $7.95
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PDF

Eugene E. Gloye
Table Book II by Eugene E. Gloye

A beautifully illustrated ebook on tables and side stands for you to build. Gene Gloye uses the tag line, "without drapes", because all the tables described are used in many ways, but without cloth drapes.

The ebook begins with several pages of discussion on stage furniture and its possibilities, with illustrated advice on transporting it, plus storing it. The various multi-panel and single panel tables described in detail, with easy to follow building plans, often have diabolically clever "black art wells" and other secret devices. A "Night Club Table" is so simple and so useful, and so...

★★★★★ $14.95
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PDF

Francis B. Martineau
Victory Bouquet by Francis B. Martineau

This is a manual of how to make your own flower bouquets. Sure you can buy a beautiful bouquet, but if you want to save some money and do a little home project, this is the right ebook for you. By doing it yourself your bouquet won't look like the standard one every magician seems to use.

1st edition, 1944, New York; 17 pages.

  1. Introduction
  2. Requirements
  3. Blossoms
  4. Outside leaves or petals (calyx)
  5. Springs
  6. Spring reinforcements
  7. Stems
  8. Stem leaves
  9. Stem wrappings
  10. Folding the blossom
  11. Preparing the stem
  12. Cutting and shaping the spring
  13. Mounting the spring on stem
  14. Fitting the blossom on...
★★★★★ $3
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PDF

George Armstrong
Tricks of the Trade by George Armstrong

If you are familiar with Magician's DIY Tips and Tricks then Tricks of the Trade is written with a very similar idea in mind just 60 years prior. It describes a multitude of DIY tips and gimmicks and improvements for the magician.

It describes things like:

  • How to turn a sock into a billiard ball holder.
  • The two ingredients to make fake beer.
  • How to clean cards.
  • How to make a candle shell.
  • How to make coin holders from pins and safety pins.
  • How to make colored flash paper.
  • etc.
It closes with a section on stage make-up.

1st edition 1949, PDF 22 pages.

★★★★ $4
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PDF

George Marchese
Super Memory List: print and perform 1 by George Marchese

("Print and Perform" is a new magic series that will enable you to easily build yourself beautiful tricks just printing them.)

EFFECT:

You, the memory-man, demonstrate to really have a super memory. You show to the audience a sheet of paper containing a list of 50 six-digit numbers. You declare that you have committed to memory the full list. The six digit numbers are identified by ciphers from 1 to 50. The identifying ciphers are scrambled to make it more difficult memorizing the associated six digit number. Three or more spectators, in turn, choose and announce one identifying figure...

★★★★★ $4
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PDF

Greg McMahan
Backdrop Designs for Pennies by Greg McMahan

Backdrops add so much to a show, but they can also subtract so much from your wallet. Here's a great resource for building inexpensive backdrops for as low as $30!

A good backdrop can really kick things up on a notch on attaining that professional look. Yet, they don't have to be expensive. Using materials you can find just about anywhere, even around the house, you can make your own backdrop for less than $30.

Many different types of backdrop systems are shown, and the pros and cons of each one discussed. There is a lot of information in these notes... extremely helpful if you want to...

★★★★ $20
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PDF

Hank Morfin
Any Ring PK Gimmick by Hank Morfin

The PK ring is a very versatile gimmick for the magician and particularly for the mentalist. However, most commercially available PK rings look like wedding bands. What if you're not married? What if you like to wear other style of rings? What if you want to remove the PK-ness of the ring?

Hank wanted to be able to make any ring a PK ring. He wanted something that you could always have on you and could "load" & "ditch" very quickly and easily. Hank created just that and gives you in this ebook detailed instructions of how to build this gimmick for yourself. All parts are easily and cheaply...

★★★★ $7.95
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PDF

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