DIY Cardistry Trainers - Training Tools
Hey everyone!
(Yeah, when I write online, I use '@' to include everyone, regardless of gender. Sorry, grammar police, but I'm doing my own thing here.)
Let's get to it:
I just wanted to share my DIY trainers, which I find super useful for practicing cardistry and getting your hands and fingers in shape.
What's cool about these is that they're super cheap to get started with and 100% functional.
The first set is made from a piece of craft board stained on one side (you know, the kind you find at a dollar store). They're heavier and perfect for building speed and practicing all sorts of cardistry moves.
The second set is made from foam board (also from the dollar store). They're lighter and perfect for the initial stages, focusing on flexibility, fluidity, and handling.
There's no rocket science involved in making them, so I'm just showing you the photos (as inspiration) so you can make your own.
For me, what I love most is being able to customize them however you want, making them truly unique and personal.
These are just two ideas for trainers (I've got plenty of other ideas), but these seem like the best ones to start with.
Cheers, and I hope someone finds these useful.
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Hey @Zeta, we're back from vacation, and I've decided to add a bit more to what you've already posted.
As I mentioned previously, I originally made them by gluing cards together. But I think it's better to give a quick rundown for anyone who wants to dive into this:
Easy, Reversible Method
This is the method @jribera explains in his cardistry course.
Simply grab 5 blocks of old cards. In my case, I used 9 red ones and 1 blue, but you can use cards of any type (like promotional cards, for instance). Attach them with Scotch tape or electrical tape, securing them along the long and short edges.
Leave one side one color and the other side a different color. This helps ensure you haven't rotated the entire card packet relative to a standard deck. It's a way to verify that your card backs are still facing the same direction after you finish a move.
You can see how to do it in the image.
Irreversible Method
This is the one I mentioned previously. Besides being a trainer, this can also double as a template for cutting cards. You take the same cards as in the previous method, but this time you glue them one against the other, ensuring one side of the trainer is one color and the other side is a different color.
In this image, you can see the preparation, and the next one shows the final result.
BONUS: 3D Printing
I made these because my son wanted to try Cardistry after seeing it on YouTube. So I designed and printed them (though 'designed' is a strong word for this little thing 🤣).
In my case, I made them in two colors for the reasons I already explained, but you can add a ton of different shapes and figures to the print. Here's a photo of how they turned out.
The yellow ones are my son's, and the white ones are a gift for a friend.
I think between what @Zeta explained and these three additions or comments, you've got more than enough to get started.
And if that's not enough, you can look for commercially made trainers in magic shops. I remember the Woodistry brand and a few others.
All the best!
Thanks for the input, @Zeta!
For me, I made a couple by gluing old cards together to form a block. If you glue 10 cards, you get a solid block with the same weight. So, you'd have 5 blocks of 10 cards each, the size of a regular deck. Or you can make it by gluing 12 or 13 cards to get 4 blocks.
Honestly, the first time I did this, it was just to cut out card-sized paper and use it as a guide. But it's easy to make and it works!
After you glue them, press them or put some weight on top and leave them for a day. Then you'll have a training version that's a bit rougher around the edges than yours... 😁
@Carlos Diaz:
This method is great, and the blocks usually turn out very nicely.
For my blocks, I typically use 8 cards (from the extras I accumulate when opening new decks) plus 2 blank cards on both ends of the block (Apostrophe Games brand, Matte Finish & Poker Size), and I make 5 blocks.
Video (so you can hear what they sound like): https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/845661307
Yesterday I told myself: 'I'm going to make my 2.0 version of Trainers.'
8 packets, with 6 cards in each (a total of 48 cards), plus four additional loose cards.
When I finished, this is what I ended up with.
And then I thought: 'These look great, but they really need their own dedicated storage.'
🤔
So, I decided to make something...
But a black box (with orange on the inside) didn't feel quite sufficient. So...
Now they've got their box. 😊
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, and that's why I wanted to share it with everyone.
Best regards to all, and happy magic!!!
Examples of customized sneakers with stickers (1000 stickers for 9 euros on Amazon)
What a cool deck!
Hey Carlos, how are those plastic ones you made working out? Do they have a nice feel, or do you prefer the ones you made with cards?
Ultimately, which of the three would you stick with?
Hey @homerisma32, they all work great and do what they're supposed to. I actually like them in reverse order of how I've listed them.
Plastic, especially since they're for my son and can be washed. As I've mentioned here before, I always wash my hands or make sure they're clean before I handle my decks. With plastic decks, you don't have to be careful; you can just run them under the tap.
Glued. They stay super rigid, which works great for me.
Reversible with plastic. These also work well, and if you ever need to, you can just peel off the tape and have a regular deck again.
But ultimately, they all get the job done.
The first two can also be used to make custom cutouts, the exact shape and size of a card.
Hope that helps!