Do you know how the steel ball through thick glass trick is done as seen in Reddit?
It is often refer to steel ball goes through thick glass Reddit.
Actually this is an old close-up trick called “U-235”.
It was marketed as “U-235” by Thayer Magic Manufacturing back in 1946.
According to an old advert, it mentioned “U-235” penetration trick is the creation of S. H. Sharpe.
Sam H. Sharpe was a writer of books on magic theory and inventor.
Check out the free book by Sam. H. Sharpe titled “Conjurers’ Mechanical Secrets” over here.
This old U-235 trick was recreated by George Robinson for the manufacturer of magical illusions, Collectors’ Workshop.
Today the Viking Magic Company has the exclusive permission to reproduce the “U-235” steel ball through glass trick.
To find out more about this penetration effect, let’s keep the ball rolling…
The Effect:
Place a specially-designed aluminum three-legged cylinder tube on top of a plate.
Next lay a thick glass piece over the cylinder stand.
Get another aluminum cylinder tube and set it on top of the glass piece.
Release a steel ball into the the top tube, and it hits the glass with a loud thud.
Apparently, the steel ball goes through the glass, and drops at the center of the plate.
The truth is, the steel ball does not falls right in the middle of the ceramic plate.
If you like to know how this magic trick works, keep reading…
Watch the demo video of the U-235 steel ball through glass trick below:
Currently, there is another version, but it uses a stone ball to go through a hand phone.
Basically, both used the same key props; two cylinder tubes.
Watch the demo video of a stone ball penetrating a hand phone or cell phone.
I would explain how this Thayer U 235 magic trick is done, together with supporting visual proofs and video snippets.
Steel Ball Through Thick Glass Trick Revealed
Let’s check out the trick behind this U-235 magic trick props.
Definitely this penetration effect uses only one steel ball.
I think there are two secrets in this steel ball through glass trick.
Both the aluminum cylinder tubes are gimmicked.
The plate is not rigged, however it plays a part in the trickery.
Hence, the U235 Thayer CW set comes with the ceramic plate.
You would find out soon. why it needs the plate to catch the falling steel ball.
Hole In Top Tube
There is an opening in the top cylinder tube to let the steel ball to roll out.
Probably the hidden hole looks something like this.
Below is the reflective image of the top tube, as he places it down on the table.
This is the close-up view from the same picture above.
The picture below is taken from Magic Patagonia demo video, where you can see the circular cut-out.
At 0:11, when he turns the top tube downward to get ready for the trick.
NOTE: You need to slow down the playback speed to 0.25 to see it clearer.
It looks like there is an opening at the bottom edge of the top tube.
This cut-out part is facing backward throughout the act.
Hide The Secret Hole
In the Reddit video, the performer does not present the top cylinder tube to the viewers.
He focuses only on the thick glass, the bottom tube, the steel ball and the plate.
However in the China Magic video, the performer shows the top tube.
But he does it deftly, without displaying it openly to the camera.
He holds the cylinder tube up, with his fingers blocking the cut-out at the bottom at 0:29.
Again after the act at 0:45, he holds it the same way.
Then when he places it back on the table, the side with the cut-out facing backwards.
In fact, all the performers also handle the top tube in the same manner, as seen below.
Now we know where and how the steel ball or the stone ball comes out from the top tube.
That’s through the cut-out at the bottom of the tube.
In other words, the steel or stone ball slips out and rolls off the edge of the glass or the cell phone.
How Steel Ball Rolls Out Each Time
But how to ensure the steel ball would definitely roll out through the back bottom hole every time?
The bottom cylinder is tilted backward slightly.
It is because two of the three legs are marginally shorter.
So the magicians placed this pair of shorter legs at the back.
Henceforth, the steel ball or stone ball would certainly roll backward and drop onto the ceramic plate.
The slight slant is not noticeable or apparent to casual observers.
But the performers know which are the two shorter legs.
Marking On Bottom Tube
There is a small discreet dot marking between the two shorter legs.
This is the secret spot to identify the pair of shorter legs.
The same indication spot as seen from another view.
You can also see the identical spot on the bottom tube from this U-235 trick video at 1:20.
Here are two more pictures from Magic Patagonia video clip, with the dotted indication.
SIMILAR TRICK IDEA:
As a matter of fact, there are other magic trick apparatus that used the secret indicator.
For instance, you can find it in these two penetration tricks:
The “Quantum Tunnel by Magic Wagon“.
The “Looking Glass” penetration trick by Dan Wolfe.
Steel Ball Rolls From Edge Of The Plate
As explained above, the steel or stone ball rolls out through the cut-out, and falls off the edge of the glass or phone.
It means the steel and stone ball cannot plummet right in the middle of the ceramic plate, as it appears.
Watch carefully at the falling stone ball at 0:39.
In fact it drops down onto the edge of the plate, then it rolls down to the its center.
Whereas in the other demo videos, you cannot see the falling steel ball clearly and accurately.
That scene is a high angle shot, and the front leg of the bottom tube blocks it.
Summing up, this is how the steel ball through thick glass trick works.
PENETRATION TRICKS WITH STEEL BALL:
The Marbo Card Penetration trick.
