Scotch tape
Power Reel
by John Kennedy Magic
FIG. 4
C
ongratulations - you now own the Power
Reel; a hand held device that makes a silk,
streamer, or dollar bill fly through the air
like magic! You can watch a video demo of the Power
Reel on our web site.
EQUIPMENT: You have received the Power Reel
with its spool of clear, fine nylon thread. Also included
is a pack of rubber band stoppers. You’ll need to supply
a 9V battery, a silk, and some Scotch® tape.
SET-UP: Run the end of the thread
GUIDE
through the guide (figure 1). Tie a loop
onto the end of the thread (figure 2).
Attach a rubber band stopper (figure 3).
The rubber band will absorb shock
when it collides with the reel and
minimize thread breakage. The folded
FIG. 1
black tape will prevent it from passing
through the guide and going into the spool.
Attach a silk to the stopper by
FIG. 2
first sticking on a small strip of
Tie a loop
Scotch® tape (figure 4) and then
taping it to a corner of a your silk.
Fold over the end
Now slide the 9V battery into
of the thread.
the Power Reel and snap the
lower contact into the battery. If
it is a loose fit you can squeeze
Tie a single knot
to form a loop.
the battery terminal closed
slightly using pliers.
The upper contact is flat and
Pull the knot
should be bent slightly away as
tight and trim
the loose end.
shown in figure 5, thus acting as a
switch to turn the motor on and off.
Hold the reel in your hand (figure 6) with your middle
finger against the top of the battery snap. The other end
of the reel should be against your palm with clearance
for the spool to spin freely.
FIG 3
Attach the rubber band stopper
Pass the rubber band through the loop of thread,
then through itself.
Spread open the rubber band, then
cut a strip of tape and fold it over the band.
FIG. 5
FIG. 6
MAKE A SILK FLY AROUND: Pull out several
feet of thread. You can go around a smooth object such
as a lamp, microphone stand, etc. Walk back with the
reel in one hand and the silk in the other; the thread
will unwind automatically (figure 7).
Toss the silk into the air and then hold
down the battery snap switch with your
middle finger. The silk will fly away
from you, go around the lamp, and then
fly back into your hand!
Go around two or three objects to
FIG. 7
make the silk fly around the room! bird’s eye view
Make sure the objects are smooth or else
the thread can snag and tangle.
Another way to pull out thread is to set the reel
down, pull out the thread, then walk back and pick up
the reel. Or you can just have an assistant pull the
thread out for you.
TANGLED THREAD: If the thread jams while
pulling it out you can sometimes fix it by spinning the
spool back and forth with one hand while pulling out
some thread with the other.
If that doesn’t work you must remove the spool by
prying it off with a flat blade screw driver.
Once the spool is off you can sometimes untangle
the thread, replace the spool, and you’re ready to go.
Other times the thread is hopelessly tangled on the
spool and you must cut off all the thread using an
Exacto knife or box cutter.
REPLACING THE THREAD: You can buy clear
nylon sewing thread in a fabric shop. Tie one end to
the spool, then reel it in until it fills the spool about
half way. Don’t over fill the spool or the thread will be
more prone to tangling.
When thread is newly wound onto the spool it needs
a few hours to “memorize” the shape of the spool,
after which it will be less likely to tangle when you use
the reel.
MAINTENANCE: Oil the motor when it becomes
noisy. Pry off the spool, then put a drop of household
or sewing machine oil through the hole at the base of
the motor shaft. Press the switch for a few seconds and
the motor will quiet down immediately.
NOTE: Some brand new units could be noisy and
need oil when you receive them. This is normal if they
have been stored in a warehouse for a period of time.
Need to translate? Copy the text and then click here to use Google Translate.
When it’s time to replace the 9V battery, remove the
old one by grasping its terminal and pulling it out of
the reel. If necessary you can use pliers.
SUPPLIES: Extra spools of thread and also
rubber band stoppers are available on our web site.
www.johnkennedymagic.com
Need to translate? Copy the text and then click here to use Google Translate.