What do you need to make a close up pad?

[chdmagicdude]

So dose any one know what you make a close up pad like The Dan and Dave victorian close up pad?

[Joshua Robinson]

can you please post a picture? dont know what you are talking about

[chdmagicdude]

i cant post a pic know i well on Wednesday

[Joshua Robinson]

do u have a link?

[chdmagicdude]

It well not let my post it I well try to pm it to you

[Atheosile]

Here is the link to the close up pad by D&D...Don't know why you cannot post it here, lol

http://shop.dananddave.com/originals/victorian-close-up-pad.html

[Joshua Robinson]

its very elegant!!!

[chdmagicdude]

So I want to know how to make one like that?

[Kanped]

So I want to know how to make one like that?

Get a rectangle of Italian leather and stitch ornate designs into it with lustrous Baroque velvet.  It's right there in the description.

[chdmagicdude]

i know that part but what do you use to make it hard and is they like some sort of pad under the lustrous Baroque velvet?

[moonexe]

Dragon skin with a thin layer of unicorn blood.
...How about wood?

[Don Boyer]

Yeah, that pad does have a layer of wood in-between the velvet and leather, as well as some padding to give the surface the right softness.


The materials aren't exactly cheap, if you're looking to make your own, and there's a level of workmanship involved that's a bit harder than the average DIY project.  The wood board in the middle precludes easy storage - it won't roll or fold in any way.


They're mighty nice-looking pads, though - and perpetually running out of stock, even at that price tag.

[phantom1412]

I think if you want a cheap pad, you might be able to make it yourself.
But if you want it to look like this victorian pad, I don't think you can make it by yourself.
(Or it would cost too much)

[Kanped]

I just threw an old hoodie over a table.  Works great.

[Don Boyer]

I just threw an old hoodie over a table.  Works great.

That's actually an awesome idea for a close-up pad, dude!  I like it!


A basic close-up pad is cheap as hell compared to what it would cost to put together something classier like the Victorian Close-Up Pad that D&D (occasionally) sell (when it isn't out of stock).


If you know someone (or can hire someone) skilled in sewing/tailoring or upholstery they could make a world-class job that looks good, and they might be able to do it without breaking the bank.

[moonexe]

Hmm I actually feel like trying to make my own pad now. What kind of fabric is usually used on them? And what about poker/blackjack/etc. tables? Speedcloth looks really sweet, but since it's meant to have the cards glide across the table, I'm thinking it wouldn't allow for spread turnovers. Unless of course the edges themselves can grab onto the raised design of the fabric...
It will of course be more simple than the D&D one, but you never know when inspiration can strike.

[Don Boyer]

A normal close-up pad is about a quarter-inch of foam rubber topped with a thin layer of synthetic felt.  The felt used is indeed not Speedcloth - a nice glide for the flat surface of a card AND a bit of traction for the cards' edges are the keys for a close-up pad.  If it's too smooth, a ribbon spread turnover will fail; if it's too rough, cards won't move across it easily or lay flat.  Garden-variety poker table felt will work just fine.


Normal close-up pads don't have that hard layer of wood like the Victorian pad does, but that layer of wood means it can't be conveniently rolled up and slipped into a large pocket.  D&D's pad comes with a carrying case.  A folding pad would be an interesting idea, but it would ruin the smooth surface of the felt at the crease.


Since getting into magic, I've wanted one of those cool close-up table/briefcases.  It's a briefcase with a close-up pad surface on one side and collapsible legs that allow you to turn it into a table.  The good ones even have drawers that let you access some of the contents during a performance while the briefcase lid is closed.  The best ones have a "hold-out pocket" hidden in the felt that allows you to secretly hide a few cards for extraction during a trick or for slipping away to make a smooth vanish.