The classic steel ball and tube effect (see related items) has always intrigued me, and when done well for a group of laymen, the effect will blow their minds.  It is so simple and visual, and since the props are examinable at the end, there seems to be no explanation.  It just takes a LOT of practice to do smoothly, and so that is why it is not often seen.

Improvements to the method have come along, including one that made the tube examinable without any steal or switch (see related items again).  Other versions of the classic effect added a big climax where the tube is solid or the ball and tube meld into a single unit.  That’s where Molten Ball comes in.

This version has the classic effect of the steel ball sinking into a tube that is too small to admit the diameter of the ball.  But with Molten Ball, the tube and ball are handed out to the spectator at the end, who finds the ball and tube are a single unit.  The ball has welded itself onto the top of the tube.

Like the original classic effect, this one takes a lot of practice to get smooth, and demands that you steal away something at the end.  But the misdirection is strong for the steal, and the effect can be practiced while you watch TV.  So challenge yourself to learn a trick that most magicians are too lazy to take on!  It will be worth it when you perform it for laymen and for your fellow magi!

I love this trick, but not many magicians perfrom it, probably because most magi get this trick as beginners and at that point, they do not have enough practice dicipline to master the simple move involved in creating the effect.  It is simple, but does require repeated practice to perform with confidence.  However, once you have the feel of it, you can create true amazement in your spectators.

The effect is the one where a steel ball rests a top a small metal tube and then slowly sinks into the tube, then rises up again.   Straightforwad, and utterly impossible.  Deluxe versions of this trick have come out in recent years that feature solid tube climaxes, but this original classic is still very effective.    (If you have the L&L DVD set by Glenn Falkenstein & Frances Willard, you can find their excellent handling of this classic trick).

If you are a beginner who someday wants to be a highly accomplished magician, this is a great trick to start practicing your practicing.  And if you are are an experienced magician with years of practice, but somehow you never added this classic pocket illusion to your repertoire, well, you really should have it!   So you should buy this.   (If you already have a set in a drawer somewhere, you should take it out and practice it!)

From EZ Magic, brand new and unused, with a simple instruction sheet.