T-171 Merlin's Coffer

[JohnM]

Name: Merlin's Coffer

T-Number: T-171

Inventor: Shigeru Sugawara

Year: 1995


PICTURES of T-171 Merlin's Coffer




VIDEOs of T-171 Merlin's Coffer
How to do it according to Tenyo's Instructions

How not to do it (skip to 00:45)



T-171 Merlin's Coffer on PLANET TENYO

[VictorS]

Here is my Tenyo love story
When Merlin met CoCo (Shinpei Ogawa`s COin COaster) (http://www.seomagic-usa.com/catalog/pro ... cts_id/517), they fell in love at the first sight. Then they got married and in 2013 the baby MiCoRu (T-253 MIracle COin ThRu) was born.

[Shan]

This is one of the tricks I don't see performed very often so I do not have it.
"Oh right! This is a tenyo!"
Doesn't stand out very much but looks like a good trick!

[kellebotond]

This is a very nice effect. The only thing I have problem with it sometimes is that when I lift the ring up with the help of the cord it does not always lock at all sides. Sometimes it only does on 3 sides and not all four and this causes the trick to fail as an effect. Does anyone have the same problem? Maybe it is just me.

Here is my performance from a couple of years ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMoX5BTJBDw

update: as I was writing this I just watched the video John linked. With the circular motion during the pulling my problem would be solved I think. I will try this tomorrow. I should have read the instructions more carefully.

[Elliot W.]

I also find this to be very inconsistent. I have tried the circular motion but I still can't get it to stay all the time.
And many times I cannot tell it if it is locked in or not. I think that is the main problem with this trick.

I noticed John came out with a new addon for this which I assume makes it work more like the crash dice box. That is probably what Tenyo should have done to begin with.

[SimonC]

I loved this trick in all the videos I saw but when I got one in my ha dos I found it 'misfired' 90% of the time, even with the circular motion which looked very much like a dodgy move anyway.
I seem to remember John adapting his quite successfully with a maggot in the lid. (maggot is what I'm going to call a magnet so no one knows I'm saying magnet even tho I just said it twice. It's like never say never, you say it twice just saying it. It's been a long day.
In short I like the trick and it looks great on video but I never perform it as I can't be 100% or even 10% that it will work

[JohnM]

I have created an upgrade to Merlin's Coffer that will solve the inherant problem with this great trick.

I have three inserts to sell for $10 each and one Brand New Merlin's Coffer with the insert already installed for $50.

Also, I will post in the members only section how I made this with a list of parts in case you want to make your own.

iimas-mc-b.jpg

[SimonC]

Is that the lid with the insert? Looks very discreet I hadn't noticed til I read the message below it. I think you've saved a lot of MCs from the dreaded drawer of unused tenyo

[JohnM]

But

Will people be willing to permanently change the trick.

If you are a performer you should, if you are a collector you will probably not.

Or get two like many collectors do.

[Elliot W.]

Yeah, I probably don't want to modify the one I have but if I do get a spare it might not be a bad idea. Ju st curious, can you easily ditch the washer like you can in the original?

[JohnM]

Yeah, I probably don't want to modify the one I have but if I do get a spare it might not be a bad idea. Ju st curious, can you easily ditch the washer like you can in the original?

Yes, very easy to slide the washer off.

So you can show the inside of the lid before and after.

[kellebotond]

John, that is a great idea. Maybe you should contact Tenyo with it because it makes the trick so much better. Congratulations!

[David DeTenyo]

I really like this trick. I think the construction of the bottom of the box is perfect. It is easy to do and really original in my opinion, but it tends to be pretty hard to get the washer 'in place'. John's idea of using something special overcomes this minor issue and makes it foolproof and super easy to do, a real must if you perform this one regularly.
This trick does not require any special routines with other items, it's fine the way it is and works. Of course you can do something with the washer afterwards but it's not necessary.
I haven't tried it out but a combination with Royal Magic's Perky Penny should be doable but I don't know if the washers match. But if they don't it is perhaps doable to 'make' it work.
As Victor suggested a coin coaster that 'pops' might also give opportunities. I REALLY like Marvin's Magic The Energised Coin for instance and a combination with that one is another possibility.

Merlin's Coffer is not THAT hard to find but of course you'll need to look out for one - they have been discontinued for quite some time now but I believe Tenyo produced a lot of these. The current selling price when one pops up isn't extreme as with some others but it will definately become very much sought after in a few years and the price of this one will probably go through the roof because it is very 'Tenyoesque'.

I'm giving this an 8 out of 10.

[Pete1805]

Picture 33.jpg

Made a Merlin's coffer a few months ago with a special lid,It works well.i try it now and again and not failed me yet

[David DeTenyo]

A special lid Pete? Do you use the same gaff as John does with his version?

[Pete1805]

Not sure what John uses but i use a flexible **g*e so its possibly the same just cut it to size

[SimonC]

ahh a flexible bugle, good shout

[JohnM]

My **g*e* is rigid.

I could not get it done with the flexible **g*e.

The flexible **g*e does not exert enough force to make the connection.

With the flexible **g*e you come up short.

You are for sure much better off with a rigid **g*e*.

[Pete1805]

I must have a stronger flexible doodah thingamygig

[SimonC]

john you're setting me up for this one
nugget?
bugger?
dagger?

[Rob Rand]

It must be a magnet. It's always a magnet in magic that does the dirty work, don't you know?

[JohnM]

Oh Shoot.

You guys were talking about magnets? I was talking about my p*n*s!

ANYWAY

I just posted in the Members Only Section pictures and information about how I modify Merlin's Coffer.

http://funstuffonly.com/tenyoforum/view ... 937#p12937

[ConorA.M]

Merlin's Coffer has always been amongst my favourite of the Tenyo I've owned. The blend of it being a puzzle and a trick is just perfect!

[Brett H]

This is what I love about the site! Taking a trick, dissecting it, and making it better! It's like an online shop class!