Do you want to know the secret of the Ultimate Penetration Frame trick by Magic Wagon?
How the three brass rods could apparently go through the solid glass, without breaking it.
From my observations, I think the trick secret of this closeup magic apparatus, is similar to the Wonder Window T-114 by Tenyo Magic.
It uses two separate plexiglass sheets to achieve the penetration effect.
My reveal of this magic trick is solely based on viewing the only video available in YouTube.
Plus, a little help from the few pictures of this magical prop from various websites.
I would backup my explanations with supporting pictures, illustrations and video snippets.
Plus, I include the psychology behind this magic trick.
Welcome to another post from the Info Ruckus Magic Trick Secrets Revealed series.
Where I answer the popular question: how are magic tricks done?
How magic tricks work, or what is the secret behind magic tricks?
The magicians refer to it as the method; the secret technique uses to create the illusion of a magical effect.
This is another mechanical Magic Wagon magic tricks.
In other words, the secret working of the trick is at the magical apparatus itself.
Effect:
The performer shows a rectangle wooden frame with a sheet of plexiglass.
Slot in a 3-hole wooden slider onto the frame, and drag it to the center.
Insert three slim brass rods through the three holes.
Visually, the three brass rods seem to pass through the plexiglass.
After the act, the performer pulls out the brass rods from the slider.
Remove the slider to reveal the undamaged plexiglass.
Watch the demo video of Magic Wagon Ultimate Penetration Frame:
Magic Wagon Ultimate Penetration Frame Secret
Let’s explore step by step and get to the mystery of this penetrating magic trick.
Shift Ultimate Penetration Frame Plexiglass
Just like the “Impossible Glass Penetration Trick Secret“, you have to shift the obstacle (glass).
It could be a closeup trick or a stage illusion, like walking through a brick wall, or floating through a piece of steel.
But for this trick, you need to shift the plexiglass, and also bring out another concealed plexiglass.
Two Pieces Of Plexiglass Ultimate Penetration Frame
Besides the visible plexiglass, there is another concealed plexiglass sheet inside the rectangle wooden frame.
Meaning, there are two pieces of plexiglass.
It works like Tenyo Wonder Window, where the slider pulls out another hidden plexiglass from the side frame.
NOTE: When I say LEFT in the following explanation, I mean YOUR LEFT, as you view the video or the pictures.
In the beginning of the video, the performer does not show the right side view and the bottom of the frame.
But he does shows the back view of the frame with the C-shaped ledge on the left side of the frame.
That’s is just a stopper to to ensure the both plexiglass are precisely positioned in the middle of the frame.
When he shifts the window plexiglass to the middle with the slider, the plexiglass would definitely exceed the width of the whole frame.
In other words, the plexiglass right edge must be outside the frame, as I have illustrated below.
In the video, the performer uses his left hand fingers to hide it, while it is holding the frame.
I will show you the overshot plexiglass shortly.
Ultimate Penetration Frame Slit Opening
There must be a slit opening at the edge of the right frame to allow the extended plexiglass.
Below is a picture of the slit opening at the edge of the side frame.
Here are three scenes of the slide-out plexiglass captured from the video.
You can see the glare reflected on the plexiglass between the third and fourth finger of his left hand.
NOTE: To see it clearer, slow down the playback speed to 0.25.
This picture is captured from the video at 0:52.
The second time is at 0:56
Then at 0:58 you can see it very clearly the reflection on the plexiglass for the third time.
Ultimate Penetration Frame Stand
There is another clue which confirmed there is this overshot plexiglass is the slot found in the stand upright.
Hidden inside in one of two upright slots, there is a slot to accommodate the extended plexiglass.
With these openings at the uprights, they can place the frame with the extended plexiglass onto the stand to perform the penetration trick.
Ultimate Frame Penetration Key Secret
Now, let’s take a close look at the Ultimate Frame Penetration key secret.
As I have already mentioned earlier, there are TWO sheets of plexiglass.
The one within the frame window (Plexiglass 2) which is visible to the viewers.
Then there is another narrower piece (Plexiglass 1) concealed inside the left frame.
This is a rough illustration of the two plexiglass sheets.
Probably one piece of the plexiglass is behind the other due to space constraint.
NOTE: I am not sure about the actual the plexiglass sizes, because I do not own or have seen the real prop.
When the performer drags the slider to the center, he pushes the Plexiglass 2 to his left, simultaneously he pulls out the hidden Plexiglass 1.
Now there are two pieces of plexiglass within the window frame.
The gap between these two plexiglass is hidden behind the 3-hole wooden slider.
That is the gap where the three rods can appear to penetrate the plexiglass.
Mechanism Of Moving Hidden Plexiglass
This is a mechanical trick, so I could not know precisely the mechanism details.
It is hidden inside the prop, but I know the main idea it uses two pieces of plexiglass.
I do not know exactly the original mechanism of pulling out the concealed Plexiglass 1.
But I have come up with two options:
- Using Magnets
- Foldable Metal Strips
Magnets At Slider & Plexiglass 1
My first guess is there are magnets at the slot of the slider that can pull out the Plexiglass 1 (also attached with magnets).
That’s is why Rob Rand in the demo video is very careful with the 3-hole slider.
At 0:26 he checks it closely to ensure it is facing the correct side, before slotting it into the frame.
Two Plexiglass Sheets Connected Together
The second possibility could be this method.
The two plexiglass sheets are fastened together with a short foldable metal bar or strip at the top and the bottom.
These short metal pieces are pivoted on both plexiglass.
In other words, the hidden Plexiglass 2 can be folded in and out.
NOTE: For a clearer explanation, I purposely drew the length of the foldable metal bar/strip holding the two plexiglass longer.
See the illustration below:
What happens is this:
When the slider moves to the center of the frame, it drags both pieces of plexiglass towards the right side.
Now the concealed plexiglass (Plexiglass 1) is out from the left frame with its right edge hidden inside the slider.
Simultaneously it also pulls the window plexiglass along (Plexiglass 2).
The gap between Plexiglass 1 and Plexiglass 2 is blocked by the slider.
The gap between the two plexiglass should be wide enough for the brass rods to go through it.
That’s why it needs a broad slider to hide it.
Once the trick is over, the slider is drawn back to the left side of the frame.
This will pull the smaller plexiglass (Plexiglass 1) back inside the left side frame, and the window plexiglass (Plexiglass 2) in its original position.
Well, it is just my wild assumption.
Gap Between Two Plexiglass
Yes, that is the gap where the three brass rods go through.
Here is a closeup view of the gap between the two pieces of plexiglass where the three rods goes through.
This is what I reckon how the Magic Wagon Ultimate Penetration Frame trick is done with two separate plexiglass sheets.
Psychology Of Ultimate Penetration Frame Trick
In psychology, it is called perceptual illusion.
It is the way your brain processes the visual data you transmit it to your brain.
This perceptual illusion happens when your subjective experience differs from reality.
The viewers see it as one single solid plexiglass sheet within the wooden frame.
Logically it is impossible for the three brass rods to go through the solid plexiglass sheet.
So without knowing the method of the trick, it is simply strange or magical.