Closeup Pads, where to obtain, what's good and everything else

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

First off, yes I did a search for "closeup pad" and didn't see anything. I am hoping this is in the right section, but feel free to move it, if I got it wrong.

I can search for close up pads on penguin, ebay and anywhere else as well as the next guy, but I was hoping someone here might know of a good quality product for a fairly simple price. I totally used to have one, and I have no clue where it ended up. This is totally card related by the way. Maybe you don't even use one, but just remove your shirt and use that instead, hoping the ladies will be looking at your massive pecs and ripped abs instead of your sloppy pass? These are the things that we'd like to know.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[DelMagic]

Some of the finest mats available.

http://www.pattricksmagic.com/index.php/world-famous-mats/mat-listings/

See the video here with an explanation of the two types:
http://www.pattricksmagic.com/index.php/world-famous-mats/

Otherwise, almost any large magic retailer will sell mats. They often call them close-up pads.

[S.C.]

This may be a round about answer but I actually made my own. I went and bought a scrap piece of ply from a lumber yard (about $5.00) i think the dimensions were about 24" x 18". then i went to a fabric store (out here in CA they have a store called Joanne's. not sure about where your at though) and bought a yard of velvet and some 3/4" foam. I cut the foam to fit, stretched the fabric evenly over the board and stapled it underneath and bam an amazing custom close up mat.

F.Y.I i also bought some decorative corners from that same store and some rubber bumpers for the bottom.

EDIT:

I know it wasn't the answer you were looking for exactly, but this gives you another option.

[Curt]

You talking about making your own close up mat reminded me of the small table I had made a little while ago to accompany my mat. I would say that having this table really enhanced the mat itself and made it much more of a performing surface that the mat was alone. So, no matter what mat you decide to get, doing something like this could be a viable option, I would say it also prolongs the life of the mat since the edges are more protected. Plus it was really easy to build.

Here are a few pictures

No mat


Close up look


With mat

[Don Boyer]

First off, yes I did a search for "closeup pad" and didn't see anything. I am hoping this is in the right section, but feel free to move it, if I got it wrong.

I can search for close up pads on penguin, ebay and anywhere else as well as the next guy, but I was hoping someone here might know of a good quality product for a fairly simple price. I totally used to have one, and I have no clue where it ended up. This is totally card related by the way. Maybe you don't even use one, but just remove your shirt and use that instead, hoping the ladies will be looking at your massive pecs and ripped abs instead of your sloppy pass? These are the things that we'd like to know.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Most simple close-up pads these days are a neoprene base with a felt-like covering - convenient to street magic and table-hopping because it's easily rolled up, resists abuse and is waterproof on the bottom.

I happen to like this deal from Tannen's.  Nine Bike Rider Backs in different colors (red, blue and black by USPC, the rest by DiFatta) combined with two close-up mats; one red, one black.  The price sounds high, but if you add it all up, it's a decent deal - you're basically getting the pads for $20 each and the decks for $5 each (high for the USPC decks, low for the DiFatta decks).  It's also a great way to quickly fill out your collection of cards - you can either save them or perform with them.

http://www.tannens.com/shop//cart.php?m=product_detail&p=7707

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

you're basically getting the pads for $20 each and the decks for $5 each

True, but Tannen's already sells their pads for $20 each

http://www.tannens.com/shop//cart.php?m=product_detail&p=6483

But great suggestions - all of them!!!

[Don Boyer]

you're basically getting the pads for $20 each and the decks for $5 each

True, but Tannen's already sells their pads for $20 each

http://www.tannens.com/shop//cart.php?m=product_detail&p=6483

But great suggestions - all of them!!!

True enough - I just liked the idea of making one purchase and getting all that stuff!